"Raul Ibanez said he has been through worse slumps than the one he is now enduring, and each time he has figured out the problem.

So, based on his experience, the Phillies' 37-year-old leftfielder believes it's just a matter of time before he regains the stroke that made him the club's best hitter over the first three months of the season.

"It's going to be back," Ibanez said yesterday before the Phils concluded a three-game series against Arizona at Citizens Bank Park. "It's a six-, seven-month season, and I'd rather go through it now than later. You're always one good swing away. It's never as bad as it looks."

Charlie Manuel decided to give Ibanez a rest last night, starting Ben Francisco instead. The manager explained that he wanted to give Francisco some work, and added that he felt the night off might benefit Ibanez. Francisco hit a two-run single in the first.

"Raul just kind of needs a break," Manuel said.

Ibanez appeared headed for a monster season before he strained a groin muscle and went on the disabled list in mid-June. At the time, he was batting .312 with 22 homers and 59 RBIs.

But since his return on July 11, he's batting .239 (28 for 117) with five homers and 19 RBIs. His problems have deepened this month with a .218 average, one homer, and three RBIs."