"So far, manager Manny Acta has stuck to the schedule of four games on, one game off for Travis Hafner. So after sitting out the final of a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, Hafner was back in the lineup Friday night.

There were opportunities to use Hafner as a pinch hitter in the 16-inning loss in Anaheim, but Acta declined.

''When Hafner gets a day off, it's not because I'm trying to weaken the lineup,'' Acta said facetiously. ''I'm trying to protect his shoulder. When he has a game off, he usually doesn't even take BP.

''It would take him awhile just to ramp up and get ready [to pinch hit]. So that's why I didn't use him.''

THOME GROUNDED - Jim Thome did not get a chance to hit his 587th home run Friday night because he was nursing a slight abdominal strain.

He said he probably would play tonight. His home run total of 586 ties him with Frank Robinson for eighth place on the all-time list. He has 22 in only 241 at-bats this season."