Victorino Comes Off Disabled List

By Fred Guzman

After going 4-for-8 in two games during a brief minor-league rehabilitation stint over the weekend, Shane Victorino came off the 15-day disabled list today for the Phillies and was in the starting lineup for tonight’s game in Chicago.

Victorino, a Gold Glove centerfielder, was voted to the National League All-Star roster for the second time in his career earlier this month, but was not able to play because of a sprained thumb.

Victorino has been one of Philly’s most consistent and productive players this season.

He’s batting a team-high 303 for the National League East leaders with nine homers and 34 runs batted.  He ranks second in the league in triples with nine and has 13 steals in 15 attempts.

The Phillies could have used Victorino yesterday.  With ace right-hander Roy Halladay leaving the game early because of heat issues in steamy Chicago, the Cubs capitalized to post a 6-1 victory.

The loss, coupled with Atlanta’s 7-4 win at Colorado, reduced Philly’s lead in the division to 2.5 games over the Braves.

Kurt Suzuki’s struggling Oakland Athletics were idle yesterday and open a series tonight in Detroit.

Suzuki is batting .228 with with seven homers and 23 RBI for the offensively-challenged Athletics.  Oakland is mired in the cellar of the AL West, 13 games back of the pace-setting Texas Rangers.