Photo: Philliedelphia/Frank Klose
The Phillies got absolutely pummeled by the Dominican Republic World Baseball Classic roster in a non-Grapefruit league scrimmage today at Bright House Field in Clearwater. The Dominicans accumulated a staggering 28 hits against Phillies pitching and scored 15 runs. The Phillies could only muster two.
The Dominican lineup is stacked with All Stars. Jose Reyes, Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz, Carlos Santana, Edwin Encarnacion, Hanley Ramirez, and Alejandro De Aza were all in the starting lineup along with an older but still productive Miguel Tejada and Toronto Blue Jays reserve outfielder Roberto Nanita.
Every player in the starting lineup except Nelson Cruz contributed to the barrage of hits, though Cruz was the only starting player to walk. Carlos Santana had one hit before being replaced by Danilo Sanchez. The other seven starters all had multiple hits. Both Hanley Ramirez and Miguel Tejada each had four hits.
Cole Hamels was the first to be beaten down. Hamels exited after just two and two-thirds innings after giving up eight earned runs and 12 hits. Hamels was replaced by prospect Ethan Martin who gave up three more runs on six hits in two and one-third innings. Jonathan Pettibone gave up the final four runs in just two and two-thirds innings of work. Justin Friend got the final four outs without allowing an earned run.
The Phillies scored just two runs. The first came off a solo home run in the second inning from designated hitter Laynce Nix with two outs. The second run was also driven in by Nix in the ninth as he singled in first baseman Josh Fields. There was little else to report on the offensive side of things other than third baseman Cody Asche delivering two hits (and a nice defensive play) in today's action.
Two Phillies saw action for the Dominican Republic in today's action. Juan Sosa, Phillies minor leaguer, pitched a scoreless inning. Mike Cisco, nephew of former Phillies pitching coach Galen Cisco, got the final out of today's game. Also present was Phillies farmhand Tom Cochran, who is also on the Dominican roster. In the ninth inning, both were warming up wearing Phillies road pants and throwing to Phillies catchers Humberto Quintero and Stephen Lerud before Cisco entered the game.
Today's results are not calculated into Grapefruit League results and will not affect the Phillies in the standings or on their Spring Training Statistics. So a 27.00 ERA for Cole Hamels today means nothing. Nor do the innings from the relievers who will not make the major league roster. However, the weather was beautiful and still made for a nice afternoon.
Tomorrow's game at 1:05 against the Washington Nationals features a Stephen Strasburg – Roy Halladay pitching matchup. The game will be carried by The Comcast Network along with Thursday's game, so don't let the bad weather keep you down and watch some Phillies baseball.
