Shane

Victorino

Ryan Klesko was actually worried Victorino might be dead when the play happened. ''I was lucky enough to turn my head at the last second,’' said Victorino. ''But it was scary. The scariest moment I’ve had.’'

Victorino, a Rule 5 pick from the Dodgers, won’t be worth picking up unless Mark Kotsay goes on the disabled list.

Pat Burrell’s foot continues to keep him out of the lineup occasionally, so Victorino is playing against more than just left-handers. He has two homers, two triples, five doubles and 14 RBI in 57 at-bats this month.

He’s now batting .296 in August and .270 overall with 35 RBI. If the Phils persist in using Rollins in the three-spot, Victorino stands to gain value, because with his skill set, he profiles as the best leadoff hitter on the team.

He also homered and doubled on Monday and looks like an excellent pickup for NL-only leagues on the chance he’s still available.

He’s just getting the night off. John Mayberry Jr. will make the start in center field and bat fifth against the left-hander J.A. Happ while Ben Francisco plays left field.

“I’d like five years, yeah,” said the 31-year-old outfielder. “Why wouldn’t I? I signed for three. Why wouldn’t I want the next one to be longer? My agents say I can get a five-year deal on the market. Why not trust them?” Victorino is currently scheduled to become a free agent after the 2012 season. He batted .279/.355/.491 with 17 homers, 19 steals and 16 triples in 132 games last year.

“I’d like to,” Victorino said when asked about staying in Philadelphia. “I’m not saying this will be my last one. It might be. Who knows? What I’m saying is, why not finish it here? I made it seem like I want a five-year deal, but I’d love to stay.” Victorino’s agents, Sam and Seth Levinson, have not yet talked to the Phillies about an extension but plan to soon. “My agent is going to reach out to them,” Victorino said. “We’ll talk about it openly and see if the two sides can try to figure something out.” The outfielder is slated to become a free agent after the 2012 season.

He has now homered in two straight games and three of his previous five. He owns a batting line of .271/.329/.457.

On a night where the Phillies could only muster eight hits against Jordan Zimmermann and company, Victorino stood out as the only capable offensive performer. Forced to hit third in a lineup that is devoid of Chase Utley and Ryan Howard, Victorino is off to a nice start to the season, hitting .259 with five homers, 14 RBI and the aforementioned 10 swipes.