It's been a rough start to the 2014 campaign for the hometown Phillies. While we all know that Spring Training records mean just as much as a pitcher's regular season record, it's still a bummer to watch the team fall day after day. As I have said multiple times, though, the play on the field has been something to look forward to. Once again, the team would look to notch win number two. And, once again, Roberto Hernandez would receive the ball to take the mound. He would be facing off against tough young hurler Matt Moore of the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Game: Contrary to the games that have been played so far, it took a bit of time before the first runs were scored. And, this time, the runs came first for the Phillies. Heath Bell began the inning for the Rays, and struck out John Mayberry Jr. to start things off. Leandro Castro got things going with a double into center field. Freddy Galvis singled next to put runners on the corners. New Phillies catcher Wil Nieves recorded a single of his own, scoring the game's first run, but also recording the second out when Galvis was thrown out at third. Ben Revere grounded out to end the frame. 1-0 Phillies.
Phillies pitching was quite solid through the first six innings, but the seventh opened up a floodgate. Michael Stutes came in to pitch, and actually recorded the first out rather quickly. A walk to Justin Christian and a double to Jeremy Moore got him into some trouble just as rapidly. Vincle Belnome grounded to Darin Ruf at first, but a questionable throw led to the tying run. Up next was Eddy Rodriguez. A ground ball back to Stutes was thrown to Lou Marson at home, recording out number two. Ray Olmedo rolled a ball over to Andres Blanco at short, which was deflected and led to everyone being safe. Both Belnome and Rodriguez came home and moved the score to 3-1. The last two runs of the inning came when Cole Figueroa doubled, resulting in a 5-run inning for Tampa Bay.
With two outs in the eighth inning, Jeremy Moore notched his first home run of the Spring. It was a solo shot off of Justin De Fratus, making the score 6-1. This would remain the score through the ninth inning, and the Rays take this game.
Roberto Hernandez, Jeff Manship, and Phillippe Aumont combined for six innings with two hits and five strikeouts.
Notable Phillies offensive performances:
Maikel Franco: 2-4, K
Wil Nieves: 1-3, RBI
Domonic Brown: 0-2, 2 BB
Darin Ruf: 1-3, BB
Impact: An impressive performance by the pitching combination of Hernandez, Manship, and Aumont. Most notable is the stellar work of Roberto Hernandez, who is thick in the running for the fifth spot in the starting rotation. With three innings, one hit, and three strikeouts, he's given the team a reason to keep a close eye on him.
Up Next: At 1-5, the Phillies and their fan base are hungry for another victory. Cliff Lee will look to secure the win, as the Phillies return home to face off against the Toronto Blue Jays for the third time already. They'll also have to go up against R.A. Dickey once again, at 6:35 (NIGHT BASEBALL!).
Andrew Gillen, a writer for philliedelphia.com
