By: Matt Rappa, managing editor 
Final: Phillies 5, Rays 2 ❖ Attendance: 6,382
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Thanks to a four-run, eighth-inning rally against Tampa Bay Rays (6-9) right-handed reliever Xavier Cedeno, the Philadelphia Phillies (11-4-2) secured their sixth road victory of the spring Tuesday afternoon at Charlotte Sports Park.
Making his third start of the spring, Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola impressed, allowing just two earned runs in 4 2/3 innings on six hits. Receiving the no-decision, Nola struck out six Rays batters and induced three double-play ground outs to escape further trouble.
The Phillies will have off on Wednesday, before hosting the Rays on Thursday at Bright House Field for their annual St. Patrick's Day game. Donning green jerseys in last season's contest, the Phillies fell 5-3 after southpaw reliever Elvis Araujo surrendered a game-losing solo home run to Logan Forsythe in the seventh.
WP: Andrew Bailey (2-0, 0.00 ERA) ❖ LP: Xavier Cedeno (0-1, 13.50 ERA) ❖ SV: Colton Murray (1)
Hub: Game Summary ❖ Starting Pitchers ❖ At the Plate ❖ Bullpen ❖ What's Next
Game Summary
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
| PHI | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 0 |
| TB |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 1 |
Nola got into trouble from the onset of his outing Tuesday afternoon as he hit second baseman Lorgan Forsythe on the left elbow, which caused the five-year veteran to leave the game early. The next batter, shortstop Brad Miller, then singled to left field to put two runners on and nobody out. Three-time All-Star third baseman Evan Longoria followed by grounding into a double play, advancing pinch-runner Juniel Querecuto to third. Nola could not escape the Rays' scoring threat, however, as he allowed a two-out RBI-double to first baseman Logan Morrison—the first run of the contest.
#Rays say Forsythe is "day to day" after leaving game with a left elbow contusion
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 15, 2016
The Phillies' right-hander had a rebound second inning. He retired the Rays in order, striking out two batters: right fielder Steven Souza Jr. and catcher Curt Casali. Non-roster invitee outfielder Cedric Hunter took advantage of Nola's strong frame by evening the contest the next half-inning with a leadoff home run to right field, on a 0-2 count, in the top of the third. This was left-hander Drew Smyly's first earned run surrendered after 7 1/3 shutout innings, as well as Hunter's second home run of the spring.
The game would remain tied until the bottom of the fifth when center fielder Kevin Kiermaier hit a one-out home run off Nola to right field, his first of the spring. Nola would only record one more out in the frame to end his afternoon with three forced double plays and two earned runs allowed on six hits and five strikeouts. Southpaw Bobby LaFromboise entered to record the final out of the fifth. He received help from catcher Cameron Rupp, who picked-off designated hitter Rene Rivera on second to prevent further damage.
Non-roster invitee right-hander Andrew Bailey struck out the side in the seventh, all swinging.
Still trailing 2-1 in the top of the eighth, second baseman Cesar Hernandez began the frame with a leadoff double, his first of the spring. Pinch-hitting for first baseman Brock Stassi, Andres Blanco hit a game-tying RBI-double to left field. Three batters later, center fielder Darnell Sweeney put the Phillies ahead with a game-winning RBI-single to right field. Two more insurance runs scored that inning off a ground out by third baseman Taylor Featherston and a wild pitch by right-hander Parker Markel.
Right-hander Yoervis Medina recorded the first two outs in the ninth, however he exited with an injury after allowing a triple to left fielder Johnny Field. According to Matt Breen, Medina felt a pop in his right elbow and will be further evaluated on Wednesday. Right-hander Colton Murray secured the final out for for his first save of the spring.
| IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Nola | 4.2 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 7.71 |
| Drew Smyly | 4.2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0.90 |
Phillies
- Cesar Hernandez: 2-5, R, 2B, .353 AVG
- Andres Blanco: 1-2, R, 2B, RBI, .286 AVG
- Cedric Hunter: 1-4, R, HR, RBI, .290 AVG
Rays
- Logan Morrison: 1-3, 2B, RBI, .250 AVG
- Kevin Kiermaier: 1-2, R, HR, RBI, .364 AVG
- Mikie Mahtook: 1-1, 2B, .217 AVG
Phillies
- Bobby LaFromboise (5th): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR, 0.00 ERA
- James Russell (6th): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR, 0.00 ERA
- Andrew Bailey (7th): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO, 0 HR, 0.00 ERA
- Hector Neris (8th): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO, 0 HR, 3.38 ERA
- Yoervis Medina (9th): 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR, 0.00 ERA
- Colton Murray (9th): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR, 0.00 ERA
Rays
- Ryan Webb (5th, 6th): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR, 1.69 ERA
- David Carpenter (7th): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR, 0.00 ERA
- Xavier Cedeno (8th): 0.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR, 13.50 ERA
- Parker Markel (8th): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR, 0.00 ERA
- Alex Colome (9th): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR, 3.00 ERA
- Wednesday, March 16, 2016: Off day
- Thursday, March 17, 2016: vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 1:05 p.m.
- Clearwater – Bright House Field
- LHP Matt Moore (0-0, 1.59 ERA) vs. RHP Vincent Velasquez (0-0, 4.00 ERA)
- TV: TCN, MLB.TV; Radio: N/A
