Jimmy Rollins Returns To Lineup As Manship, Phils Take On Pirates, Cumpton

The Phillies won their second straight game yesterday and began their first winning streak of 2014 with a 6-2 win over New York. Roberto Hernandez got the start in the split squad match up and proved to be on point, tossing five perfect innings before surrendering a hit in the top of the sixth. With a spring training-high 13 hits in one game, the Phillies were led by strong outbursts in the later frames – including a Tommy Joseph 2-RBI double in the 8th. 

The Phillies will travel to Bradenton today to take on the Pirates in a 1:05 start time. On the mound will be Jeff Manship (0-0, 1.29 ERA) for the Phillies and Brandon Cumpton (0-0, 5.40 ERA) for the Bucs. 

Jeff Manship is still looking to make a case for a starting spot in the rotation this year. In four games (7 IP), Manship has allowed just one run over four hits. On Sunday, Manship pitched three innings of one-run ball against the Twins. Striking out one and walking two, Manship proved to be solid. He will look to make a longer start today against Pittsburgh and will continue to seek a starting rotation spot.

Brandon Cumpton was roughed up in his last appearance out against the Orioles on Sunday, allowing three earned runs in as many innings on six hits. While he did strike out three, he still threw 21 pitches (all strikes). Cumpton will be making his first start of the spring today as he takes on a Phillies lineup that has begun to hit the ball of late. Cumpton is looking to secure a spot on the Pirates' big league roster for 2014.

Jimmy Rollins is back in the lineup after being benched for three straight games. We all know there is a rift between Jimmy Rollins and manager Ryne Sandberg, but although Rollins said that he acknowledges Sandberg being upset at him – Sandberg downplayed this to the media.

"First of all I wanted to see Freddy play three days in a row," Sandberg said. "He has a tendency to get long with his at-bats. I wanted him to experience that and play three games in a row at shortstop. Jimmy's an important part of the team. He's got his playing time and at-bats coming up."

Interesting.

Game Notes: 

• Jimmy Rollins is hitting .133 with 3 RBI in 15 at bats in 7 games.
  
• Ben Revere is hitting .323 this spring.
• The Phillies have won two in a row for the first time all Spring.
• The Phillies made a number of cuts today.
• Chris McGuinnes gets the start at first base for the Pirates today.  They have no clear frontrunner for the first base job, and remained linked to free agent Kendrys Morales.

Today's Lineups:

Phillies lineup:

1. Tony Gwynn CF
2. Jimmy Rollins SS
3. Chase Utley 2B
4. Carlos Ruiz C
5. Ryan Howard 1B
6. Darin Ruf LF
7. Domonic Brown DH
8. John Mayberry RF
9. Cody Asche 3B

Jeff Manship is starting today's game for the Phillies.

Pirates lineup:

1. Starling Marte LF 
2.  Neil Walker 2B
3. Andrew McCutchen CF
4. Pedro Alvarez 3B
5. Travis Snider RF
6. Tony Sanchez C
7.  Andrew Lambo DH
8. Chris McGuiness 1B
9. Clint Barmes SS

Brandon Cumpton is starting today's game for the Pirates.

First Pitch: 1:05 PM ET
Location: McKechnie Field, Bradentown, Florida
Weather: 57° – Clear – 0% Precip
TV: None
Radio: None
Internet: MLB.com webcast

Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia.com Follow him on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.