By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
CLEARWATER, Fla. — After coming just two outs shy of a combined no-hitter in their 2-2 tie Thursday in Sarasota, the Philadelphia Phillies (9-9-3) return to Spectrum Field Friday afternoon to take on the Toronto Blue Jays (5-12-1).
In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, the Phillies will wear their iconic green uniforms as RHP Aaron Nola makes his fourth spring start. In 7 1/3 innings, Nola has allowed five runs on 11 hits and one walk while striking out nine batters.
The Blue Jays — who have the worst spring training record among all teams — have lost four of their last five games, including an 8-2 defeat to the Phillies on Saturday.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Toronto Blue Jays (5-12-1) | Philadelphia Phillies (9-9-3) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Marco Estrada | RHP | Aaron Nola | ||
| (2016: 9-9, 3.48 ERA) | (2016: 6-9, 4.78 ERA) | ||||
Starting Lineups:
| Toronto Blue Jays (5-12-1) | Philadelphia Phillies (9-9-3) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | CF | Kevin Pillar | R | 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 2 | DH | Russell Martin | R | 2 | LF | Howie Kendrick | R |
| 3 | SS | Troy Tulowitzki | R | 3 | DH | Maikel Franco | R |
| 4 | 1B | Kendrys Morales | S | 4 | RF | Michael Saunders | L |
| 5 | C | Jarrod Saltalamacchia^ | S | 5 | C | Cameron Rupp | R |
| 6 | LF | Ezequiel Carrera | L | 6 | 1B | Brock Stassi^ | L |
| 7 | RF | Darrell Ceciliani | L | 7 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S |
| 8 | 3B | Darwin Barney | R | 8 | CF | Aaron Altherr | R |
| 9 | 2B | Ryan Goins | L | 9 | 3B | Hector Gomez^ | R |
^ non-roster invitee
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 1:05 p.m.
- TV: TCN
- Radio: MLB.com
Game Notes:
- Scheduled Phillies relievers: right-handers Ben Lively, Luis Garcia and Joely Rodriguez.
- Prior to the game, top prospects shortstop J. P. Crawford, outfielders Cameron Perkins and Nick Williams, along with catcher Jorge Alfaro were all reassigned to minor-league camp. Right-hander Pedro Beato and infielder Taylor Featherston were also sent down, according to Todd Zolecki. As Meghan Montemurro notes, 45 players remain in big league camp.
- Estrada, 33, suffered his first losing decision of the season to the Phillies on Saturday. In 2 1/3 innings, he yielded two runs on a walk and two hits — back-to-back doubles to right fielder Williams and second baseman Cesar Hernandez.
- Thursday Recap: The Phillies led 2-0 behind a RBI single and home run by non-roster invitee catcher Ryan Hanigan and first baseman Andrew Knapp, respectively, before non-roster invitee RHP Michael Mariot surrendered a game-tying home run to second baseman Sean Coyle in the bottom of the ninth. Phillies right-handed starter Vince Velasquez threw 3 2/3 shutout innings with four walks, six strikeouts and zero hits allowed.
What’s Next:
- Saturday, March 18, 2017: vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 1:05 p.m.
- Spectrum Field (Clearwater)
- RHP Tyler Glasnow (2016: 0-2, 4.24 ERA) vs. RHP Jeremy Hellickson (2016: 12-10, 3.71 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
