"Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said Raul Ibanez can be his own worst enemy with the way he frets over every at-bat.

So Manuel said he was glad to see Ibanez go 3-for-4 Friday with two doubles and three RBIs in the Phillies' 8-0 win.

This came after Ibanez had gotten off to a 1-for-11 start this season, which came on the heels of a .130 batting average in spring training, which came on the heels of offseason sports hernia surgery, which came on the heels of a .232 average after the All-Star break.

One game, of course, doesn't change everything. But Manuel said before the Phillies played the Astros on Saturday that he was encouraged by what he saw.

"He's very relaxed," Manuel said. "He's taking a deep breath. He's really concentrating on what he's doing. When Raul is not hitting, he's trying so hard and he's his own worst enemy because he wants to so much."

Ibanez said he hasn't changed his approach despite his slow start.

"I'm not really thinking about it," he said. "I'm just trying to see it, hit it hard and see what happens. I'm really focusing on the process, trying to do the right things at the plate, having the right approach.""