SAN DIEGO -- Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz was out of the lineup on Saturday for a second consecutive game because of a sore left wrist that he injured in Thursday's 2-0 victory over the Padres.

Ruiz said he was feeling better on Saturday, and he has been able to swing a bat.

"This morning, when I woke up, it was still a little sore," Ruiz said. "I warmed it up and did some exercises, and moved it around, and I went to the cage and took a couple swings."

Ruiz said he underwent an X-ray after the injury occurred, but the results were negative. The wrist was injured during a collision at the plate, when Will Venable tried to steal home in the sixth inning on Thursday. Ruiz is batting .275.

"Gripping the bat is tough on him," manager Charlie Manuel said. "His hand is still swollen. He's gonna be fine, but at the same time, today is not a good day for him.

"We'll see. It's a day-to-day thing, trying to get the soreness out of it, where he can maneuver it and move his hand better."

Ruiz was hopeful that he could return to the lineup on Sunday for the series finale against the Padres.

Brian Schneider started in Ruiz's place in Friday's 4-1 victory over the Padres, and recorded his first hit of the season on an RBI single that tied the game in the seventh inning. Schneider went 2-for-4 with a strikeout.

"It was big for us. I was so happy," Ruiz said.

Manuel pleased with Pierre's performance

SAN DIEGO -- Juan Pierre made his ninth start of the season for the Phillies on Saturday, leading off and playing in left field.

Manager Charlie Manuel said Pierre's offense won him the spot. Pierre was hitting .316 entering Saturday's game. Pierre started in place of left fielder John Mayberry, who is batting .184 with 11 strikeouts.

Pierre delivered a two-run single in the seventh inning of the Phillies' 4-1 victory over the Padres on Friday.

"We've been looking for runs. He's been helping us," Manuel said. "So, I feel like I've got to put him out there. He's earned a right to be out there."