Posted by Danielle Wilson
Image courtesy of Hunter Pence's Facebook
Smell that? That's the smell of baseball returning. The Phillies took on the Florida State Seminoles this afternoon in sunny Clearwater, Florida, a game which is played every year between the two teams to kick off spring training. Above is the lineup Charlie Manuel posted. Austin Hyatt (non-roster invitee) got the nod to start the game this afternoon, and looked rather sharp early on.
Following a 1-2-3 inning from Hyatt featuring two strike outs, Luke Weaver took the bump for Florida State. Weaver also pitched a quick 1-2-3, getting Rollins and Victorino to pop-out, and striking out Juan Pierre. Hyatt tossed another shut-down inning in the second, striking out Gonzalez. Brian Holtman (I'm assuming that's his last name, the broadcast guy was awful) replaced Luke Weaver, throwing a scoreless second. However, he did hit Domonic Brown in his hand. Deja vu!
Lefty Jake Diekman replaced Hyatt heading into the third. The 6'3" pitcher walked one and struck out two in the inning, keeping it a 0-0 game. Scott Sitz entered the game for the Seminoles, allowing the first hit of spring training to Tuffy Gosewisch, a double off the right field wall. After a walk to Rollins, Victorino popped out to left, leaving two stranded.
Jeremy Horst, acquired in the Wilson Valdez trade entered in the fourth along with Galvis at shortstop, and Gillies in center. The Seminoles went down in order, thanks in part to some righteous defense from Galvis and Pence. Kyle Bird tossed a scoreless inning for the 'noles.
The fifth inning brought about Hector Luna at third, Luis Montanez in right field, and Michael Schwimer on the mound, who retired the side in what seemed like 2 minutes. Dave Smith also tossed a scoreless fifth, striking out Jim Thome to end the inning.
Scott Podsednik took over in left field, Pete Orr came in to play second, and Joe Savery took the mound to start the sixth. After allowing two singles, Savery stranded the two, retiring the side on a strikeout. Tyson Gillies scored on an infield single, leaving the bases loaded for Mayberry who grounded into a 5-4-3 double play.
Kevin Frandsen replaced John Mayberry at first base while J.C. Ramirez replaced Savery in the seventh. After a grounder went through the legs of Pete Orr, Ramirez allowed a single through the hole in short. The 'noles tied the game 1-1 on a wild pitch.
Pete Orr scored on a single from Erik Kratz, putting the Phillies up 2-1 in the seventh. With the bases loaded, Tyson Gillies made it to first on a fielders choice, scoring Kratz. After a balk, another run scored, making it a 4-1 game. Hector Luna then proceeded to smash a baseball into the Seminoles' bullpen. 6-1 Phillies.
The score remained 6-1 as B.J. Rosenberg retired the side in the ninth for the Phils, helping them win the ballgame. However, an extra half inning was played for no reason whatsoever. The Seminoles wanted to see one of their pitchers toss an inning, which he did without allowing a hit.
Next game will be Saturday versus Yankees at at Bright House Field at 1:05.
