Brett Myers took the mound for the Phillies yesterday, the first game he pitched since leaving the club to straighten out his life after being arrested for hitting his wife. He pitched well, although he was booed in San Franciscio. The Phillies did a much better job of orchestrating his return than they did the day after the incident:

Myers, 25, was arrested in Boston on June 23 and charged with hitting his wife, Kim, 25, on the street in front of two witnesses. The Phillies immediately cast an impression that they cared more about their ace pitching the next day than they cared about women's issues. After his start at Fenway, he said his main regret was that the incident "got public."

Three days later, under counsel of team representatives, Myers asked for leave until after the All-Star break. He got it. The team demoted him to Class A Clearwater, across the state from his home in Jacksonville, Fla., where Brett and Kim took their two young children and began counseling.

Upon his return to the team Friday, Myers, reading a statement he prepared, said he was humbled. He apologized to his wife, to his family, to his team and to the fans. Team officials opined he was ready to return, even though he had thrown little in exile.

No one predicted he would pitch one of his better games of the year. Now 6-3 with a 3.77 earned-run average, Myers resumed the position he wrested from Jon Lieber early this season, and he did it without a hiccup.

Of course, the problem isn't over. Myers still faces jail time. If, indeed, he is making progress with his family, that's not likely to happen.