ATLANTA -- David Bell made his season's first hit count on April 5, stroking a game-tying two-run homer off St. Louis' Mark Mulder.

It's been all downhill since, as the third baseman went hitless in his next 13 at-bats before singling in his first at-bat on Monday against the Braves. He added an RBI single in the sixth.

So how does he feel?

"Good," Bell said. "My swing is where I want it to be. I'm seeing the ball well and am just trying to get settled in."

As good and healthy as Bell feels -- and he insists he's healthier than ever -- April has never been kind. He entered the season as .217 career hitter in the first month, compared to .262 in the other months combined.

Translation: Though it would really help his psyche, a hot start doesn't seem statistically possible.

"That would be great," Bell said, referring to a hot beginning. "I've really never experienced it. I wonder what it's like."

Bell takes solace in his health as his back isn't bothering him. Ditto for his right quadriceps and left elbow. Though the balls aren't falling in, he's content with the process.

"It's hard to explain sometimes when you don't get hits when you feel good, but I feel like I'm where I want to be," he said. "If you feel that way, you believe it's going to pay off and you'll come around. You just want it to happen quickly."

Manager Charlie Manuel said he's seen some positives from Bell, and isn't going to make any rash decisions regarding who he'll play at third. Much has been written about the presence of Alex Gonzalez and Abraham Nunez and what that could mean for Bell's playing time, but Manuel is still in Bell's corner.

"He deserves a shot to keep his job," Manuel said. "It's his to lose. I've said that a lot. How many at-bats has David gotten? Not too many. I have to give him what I think is a fair chance. He's not killing the ball by any means, but he's had some good swings."

A hairy situation: Backup catcher Sal Fasano first noticed them signing autographs before Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader.

He did another double take while warming up Jon Lieber for Game 2. Suddenly, he was looking in a mirror and seeing nearly two-dozen reflections -- complete with long hair and fu manchu mustaches.

Sal's Pals have arrived at Citizens Bank Park and taken their place in the right-field bleachers. The newest fan club is a group of fans decked out in long hair and mustaches. Some were drawn on with magic marker, while others were acquired at a costume store.

One looked particularly authentic.

"It's easy growth if you can connect between your goatee and your mustache," Fasano said. "I'll have classes on it later -- facial hair 101. It takes a certain hairy Italian to grow that."

Fasano, in his first season with the Phillies, is the easiest to pick out of a lineup. He embraces his Italian heritage. Still, as intimidating as he might appear, he's anything but.

"It was awesome," said Fasano, who had a small fan club in Oakland -- but this is a movement. "I have to pay them the money I owe them. My wife and she was mad she didn't see it."

His wife, the former Kerri Kubinski, sees it up close.

"It was exciting," he said. "It pumped me up. Actually, I was in awe of the whole thing, because I thought only superstars have stuff like this."

In time, Fasano will learn that Phillies fans embrace who they embrace, and Fasano's blue-collar attitude and determination caught their eye. This has been going for years in Philadelphia, though the clubs were more prominent in the 700-level at Veterans Stadium, starting with the Wolfpack, for Randy Wolf.

Over the years, groups have sprouted up for Robert Person (Person's People), Jeremy Giambi (Giambi's Zombies), Chad Ogea (Ogea's Oranges), Terry Adams (the Adams Family), Vicente Padilla (Padilla's Flotilla), Bobby Abreu (Abreu's Amigos) and Brandon Duckworth (The Duck Pond).

Ryan's Hawaiians also sprouted up on Sunday for starter Ryan Madson.

Sal's Pal's seemed to be everywhere on Sunday, and they'll be featured in an upcoming episode of "Behind the Pinstripes."

Fasano, a first-generation Italian, is relishing the attention.

"It's not easy being a jet-setting baseball player," he said.

But it sure can be fun.

Third catcher: Sunday's doubleheader brought up the question on Monday: Who's the Phillies' third catcher?

"Alex Gonzalez," Manuel said. "He was going to be my catcher. He's got good hands. I told him, 'Just don't flinch.' I guess he's inherited the job."

Gonzalez has been trying plenty of new things this season, including starting his first career game at first base on Sunday, and working out in left field in Spring Training.

So why not?

"Let's not bring that up," said Gonzalez, with a laugh. "I have not much interest in catching. Shane Victorino can do it. He's getting good experience warming up the pitchers [between innings]. They should groom him. I also told him that he should go down and catch the bullpens."

For the record, Gonzalez has no catcher's mitt, but caught some in Little League.

Philling in: Manuel said Aaron Fultz is struggling mostly with his changeup. "I think with work, he should get better," Manuel said. Fultz had a 5.93 ERA in 11 spring appearances, and has a 6.75 ERA in four games this season.

Coming up: After Tuesday's off-day, the Phillies send Cory Lidle against Jorge Sosa on Wednesday at 7:35 p.m. ET. Lidle allowed two hits in four innings to the Cardinals before struggling in a four-run fifth. He's 4-1 with a 4.55 ERA in his career against Atlanta.