Phils' Victorino will play despite finger injury

NEW YORK (AP) All-Star center fielder Shane Victorino was in Philadelphia's starting lineup Wednesday night for Game 6 of the World Series despite a finger injury.

"His finger is fine," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said before the game. "He already went down and took some swings and picked up a ball and he's been throwing it, and he showed me that he's fine. He's all ready to go, and he's hitting second. Going to get four or five hits, and he's going to be fine. Steal five bases."

Victorino was struck on his right index finger by a fastball from A.J. Burnett in the first inning of the Phillies' 8-6 victory over the New York Yankees on Monday night. X-rays were negative, but the injury appeared to bother him throughout that game.

The switch hitter gingerly removed his batting gloves after each at-bat in Game 5 and had trouble gripping the bat and throwing the ball because his finger was swollen.

Victorino went 0 for 3 and was replaced in the eighth inning by Ben Francisco, despite pleading with Manuel to stay in that game.

The Phillies need to win the next two games for their second consecutive title. Victorino hit .292 this season with 10 homers, 62 RBIs and a major league-high 13 triples.

Updated November 4, 2009