Yesterday, the Phillies took the loss to the Pirates. A.J.Burnett pitched very well except for the six walks, but only gave up two runs in 5.1 innings. Today the Phillies faced the Twins at Bright House Field. Kyle Kendrick took the hill for the Phillies for his fourth start of the spring. Kyle went into the game with a 7.20 ERA in five innings. Phil Hughes started for the Twins. Phil Hughes was a free agent signing this past offseason for the Twins from the Yankees.
The Game: In the second inning, the Phillies started the scoring for the day. Marlon Byrd hit a lead off single. Domonic Brown followed with a double to put runners at second and third. With one out, Cody Asche hit a sac fly to score Byrd. 1-0 Phillies
The Phillies were back at in the third. Ben Revere led off with a single then stolen second with Rollins at the plate. Rollins then drove in the run with a single to center. With one out, Howard hit a single to score Rollins. With two outs, Brown hit another double to put runners on second and third. Carlos Ruiz hit single to bring in Howard and Brown was out at the plate to end the inning. 4-0 Phillies
In the fifth, Jimmy Rollins added to the lead with a solo shot to right. 5-0 Phillies
In the top of the sixth, the Twins finally got on the board. Alex Presley hit a lead of single. Brian Dozier followed with a ground rule double down the line where the Hooters ball girl mistakenly picked up since she thought it was foul. Josmil Pinto then hit a ground out to plate a run. 5-1 Phillies
B.J. Rosenberg pitched the last two innings and struck out the side in the eighth inning. He pitched two innings giving up just one hit.
Jonathan Papelbon pitched the seventh inning.
Notable Offensive Performances:
Jimmy Rollins: 2-2, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB
Marlon Byrd: 2-4, 1 R
Domonic Brown: 2-4
Impact: The Phillies bats and pitchers look to be ready for the regular season. Kendrick pitched very well and has improved from his last start. Regular season starts on March 31st.
Up Next: Tomorrow the Phillies will travel to Florida Auto Exchange Stadium. The Phillies will give the ball to David Buchanan. Buchanan has pitched very well this spring. In ten innings, he is 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA and nine strikeouts. Buchanan is looking be the fifth man in the rotation that is missing Cole Hamels to start the season. The Phillies will face Brandon Marrow and the Blue Jay. Marrow is 0-1 with a 10.80 ERA in five innings.
Andrew Shipotofsky is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter @AShipotofsky
