Hunter Pence legged out an infield single in the first inning of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Nationals.

Immediately after the play, Pence appeared to be hobbling a bit. When he went out to play right field in the top half of the second, Pence still did not to appear to be at full strength.

But Pence remained in the game until the sixth inning, when Brandon Moss pinch ran for him.

In between games, Charlie Manuel said his starting right fielder was fine.

"He's a little tight and sore. He said he's fine," Manuel said. "He's all right. His knee is a little sore or something from sliding and things."

So will Pence play in Game 2?

"Yeah, he'll be in there," Manuel said.

About 90 minutes later, when the lineups were unveiled, Pence's name was not in the Phillies starting nine. It was the first time he has not in the starting lineup in 49 games since arriving to the Phillies on July 30.

Before he came out of the first game in the sixth inning Tuesday, Pence had played every inning of every game (428 2/3 innings) since joining the Phillies.

Pence, who went 2-for-3 in the matinee game, gave reporters the thumbs up in between games, saying he was fine.

Since the Phillies have clinched a playoff berth, the NL East and home field advantage, it really doesn't make any sense to play anyone if they don't have to at this point. So perhaps it's no big deal.

Stay tuned.