Milton Bradley's third year all but vested

PHILADELPHIA -- What a week for Milton Bradley.

His playing time for the week had consisted only of a pinch-hit ground out until he started Wednesday for the first time since a three-strikeout game Saturday.

But just by getting through Wednesday without going on the disabled list made this by far his biggest week of the season. That's because only 74 days remain in the season, assuring that Bradley can't spend 75 on the DL, which all but assures the final year of his three-year, $30 million contract will vest.

The only way it won't vest at this point is if he ends the season on the DL, specifically with an injury to his surgically repaired right knee, and remains unable to play because of the same injury next April 15.

Bradley, by the way, returned to the lineup after a couple of days of working on his hitting with manager Lou Piniella and went 2-for-3 batting right-handed and drew a walk batting left-handed before leaving the game in a double switch.

As for whether he feels good at the plate right now, ''I always feel good,'' he said. ''I'm dumbfounded every time I don't get a hit. I've had success in the past against [Phillies left-hander Jamie] Moyer and got a couple of hits and then a walk -- got on base three times. That's what I do.''

Cubs relievers were the unsung heroes of the team's 5-2 trip, working 27 innings in the seven games, including 2 1/3 in-and-out-of-trouble scoreless innings Wednesday.

Along the way, closer Kevin Gregg converted two four-out saves. He got the biggest out Wednesday when he induced a grounder from Phillies slugger Ryan Howard with the bases loaded to end the eighth with the Cubs leading 8-5.

Gregg lowered his ERA in his last 29 appearances to 1.53, and the Cubs' bullpen had a 2.33 ERA during the seven-game trip. Those numbers would have been even better had Jeff Samardzija not allowed a three-run home run to Jayson Werth in the 13th inning of the Phillies' 4-1 victory Tuesday. Before that, Cubs relievers had pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings in the game.

Left-hander Ted Lilly, who has been battling knee inflammation and was roughed up Monday, threw his scheduled between-starts side session without issue and remains on track to start Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds.

•      •      Left-hander Sean Marshall had stranded 16 consecutive inherited runners before allowing a two-run single in the seventh inning to Greg Dobbs, the only batter he faced. Before Dobbs' hit, Marshall had allowed only one of 25 inherited runners to score this season.

•      •      Shortstop Ryan Theriot stole a career-high three bases. He's 13-for-18 (72 percent) this season.

•      •      The Cubs haven't won a series in Philadelphia since 2001.