Sean O’Sullivan started for the Phillies today while the rotation problems continue to swirl with the release of Kevin Slowey. O’Sullivan, after getting sent to minor league camp, started against the Blue Jays. O’Sullivan continued his spring struggle. In four innings of work, he allowed five hits, two homers, and walked four and only struck out two. So far this spring, O’Sullivan has a 7.59 ERA. O’Sullivan might get a look in the rotation while the team waits on Chad Billingsley.
Luis Garcia got two innings of work today, surrendering his first runs of the spring. Rule 5 pick Andy Oliver tossed an inning, giving up a run, but improved from his last outing when he walked four batters in two thirds of an inning.
Ken Giles replaced Oliver, but only lasted two batters before the trainers removed him mid-at bat. After the game, it was revealed that Giles had lower back tightness. Giles spoke and believes he will be fine for Opening Days. P.J. Walters replaced Giles mid-batter and gave up two runs including another charged to Giles.
Offensively, the Phillies improved after struggling the last few games. The Phils had eight hits in the game from Revere, Galvis, Ruf, Sizemore, Herrera, and Blanco. Andres Blanco gave the Phillies their first two runs in the second, singling in Howard and Sizemore. They got another run in the fourth after Hernandez worked a bases load walk. They got two more in the fifth. Sizemore singled in Galvis and Herrera would later hit a sacrifice fly to score Howard. The offense finished off with Herrera’s first spring home run.
The Blue Jays jumped on O’Sullivan early. Edwin Encarnacion homered to give the Jays a two-run lead in the first. Reyes added on in the second with a sacrifice double play to score Pillar. The power came back out in the fifth with homers by Jose Bautista and Josh Donaldson. That would give the Jays the lead they kept through to a 10-6 win.
Blue Jays starter Aaron Sanchez lasted 4 1/3 innings and gave up the five runs on six hits, walking six while striking out two. The Jays came up with ten hits.
Up Next: Tomorrow at 1:05pm, the Phillies will return to Bright House Field to face the Braves. Cole Hamels will face off against Julio Teheran.
Andrew Shipotofsky is a staff writer with Philliedelphia.
