Posted by Danielle Wilson
Today, the Phillies and Rays played at Bright House Networks Field, while the split-squad team played the Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland. Cliff Lee and Kyle Kendrick started these games.
Against the Tampa Bay Rays, Cliff Lee did not fail to impress during his 4 inning outing. Cliff allowed just 1 hit, didn’t walk any batters, and struck out 5. I’m almost positive that he had thousands swooning over him.
The Phillies took an early lead after Ryan Howard went yard against starter Wade Davis in the second inning to give the Phils a 1-0 lead. In the third, it was Brian Schneider’s turn as he hit a solo homer off of Cesar Ramos. However, the fun was not over yet for the Phils. After Raul Ibanez hit a single into right field, Ryan Howard popped one up, so far up, that third baseman Felipe Lopez lost it in the sun, and dropped it, and Raul made it to third safely. Polly Polanco followed with a single into center, scoring Raul. 3-0 Phillies.
In the fifth, pitcher Eddie Bonine barely made it out alive. He allowed 2 doubles, a walk, and a single. Shortstop Michael Martinez made a throwing error which eventually cost Bonine a run. Bonine allowed a total of 3 runs to score in the fifth inning, so everything was even steven.
Justin De Fratus allowed 1 run to score, but luckily he stranded the bases loaded after allowing 3 hits.
J.C. Romero, who recently got his Porsche stolen, got an inning of pitching in, striking out 1, and grounding out 2.
The Phillies evened it up again in the 8th inning after Matt Rizzotti hit a solo homerun to left field, which almost left the ballpark entirely. Now it’s the bottom of the ninth and Ross Gload and Delwyn Young are both on base. Gload was in scoring position when minor leaguer Joel Naughton singled and won the game for the Phillies. Final score was 5-4.
It was a different story for the split squad over in Lakeland. Kyle Kendrick started this game, striking out 1, and allowing 1 hit in 3 innings pitched. The Phillies scored just 1 run on 9 hits, the run coming from John Mayberry’s opposite field homerun off of Tigers’ starter Phil Coke.
The game remained at 1-0 for the Phillies up until the 8th inning when Bryan Holaday hit a solo homer off of Michael Stutes to tie the game at 1.
In the ninth inning, Phillies pitching prospect Matt Anderson (who clocked at 99 M.P.H.) allowed 3 singles, one of which scored Don Kelly to win the game for the Tigers. Final score was 2-1.
