Blanco shines in spring debut as Phillies blank Pirates

By: Matt Rappa, managing editor

Final: Phillies 1, Pirates 0 ❖ Attendance: 6,460

BRADENTON, Fla. — Making his spring debut after recovering from a sore shoulder, Philadelphia Phillies (4-3-1) utility infielder Andres Blanco did not waste any time to make an impact on this year's roster. In his ninth season, the 31-year-old veteran produced the game's first and only run in the top of the seventh against the Pittsburgh Pirates (2-4-1) with a one-out RBI-single to center field.

WP: Brett Oberholtzer (1-0, 0.00 ERA) ❖ LP: A.J. Schugel (0-1, 3.00 ERA) ❖ SV: Hector Neris (1)

Hub: Game Summary ❖ Starting Pitchers ❖ At the Plate ❖ Bullpen ❖ What's Next

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Game Summary

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
PHI	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	6	0
PIT	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	0

Both starting pitchers—Phillies' right-hander Vincent Velasquez and Pirates' southpaw Jeff Locke—tossed three scoreless frames as they took the mound for their second appearance of the spring. Velasquez allowed four Pirates' batters to reach base, however he struck out three (left fielder Matt Joyce, right fielder Gregory Polanco and shortstop Sean Rodriguez) to prevent further damage.

Brett Oberholtzer took over in relief of Velasquez to start the latter-half of the fourth. The left-hander allowed a one-out single to center fielder Starling Marte, who later stole second. The Pirates were unable to score, however, as first baseman Josh Bell and catcher Chris Stewart struck out and grounded out to the shortstop, respectively.

With two outs in the top of the fifth, in his second at-bat of the spring after returning from a shoulder injury, third baseman Andres Blanco doubled to center field. The next batter, however, designated hitter Jorge Alfaro, grounded out to second to end the inning.

A two-out single by pinch-hitter Jason Rogers in the fifth off Oberholtzer similarly did not materialize into a manufactured run. The next batter, second baseman Alen Hanson, doubled to left field. Rounding third, Rogers was gunned down on a Darnell Sweeney (LF)-Ryan Jackson (SS)-Cameron Rupp (C) relay to keep the game scoreless after five. Rupp appeared to have blocked the plate, which would have given the Pirates a 1-0 lead, however instant replay review is typically not utilized in spring training action.

Oberholtzer finished the outing with three scoreless innings on four hits allowed.

The Phillies produced the game's first run in the top of the seventh. First baseman Brock Stassi began the frame with a double, his first of the spring. Two batters later, with Jackson batting, a wild pitch by A.J. Schugel allowed Stassi to advance to third with nobody out. With runners on the corners, Blanco singled on a line drive to center field to score Stassi, the game's only run.

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Starting Pitchers

	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Vincent Velasquez	3.0	3	0	0	1	3	0	3.60
Jeff Locke	3.0	2	0	0	0	1	0	7.20

Note: Velasquez was hit with a line-drive of his foot to begin the bottom of the third inning against pinch-hitter Michael Morse. The Phillies' athletic trainer did not come out as the right-hander appeared to be free from injury.

Phillies' right-handed pitcher David Buchanan started in exhibition action against Keio University of Japan this afternoon back at Clearwater. In three innings, Buchanan allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits and a walk, according to Kevin Cooney of Calkins Media. Phillies' minor leaguers took part in the contest, including 20-year-old outfielder Jose Pujols.

Buchanan felt good with his stuff, said that Keio was sitting on 1st pitch fastballs second time around, still happy with outing.

— Kevin Cooney (@KevinCooney) March 7, 2016