Photo: Frank Klose/Philliedelphia.com
The Phillies keep slumping this spring. In seven games, they are 1-6 and are batting an MLB worst .194 as a team. After last night's 5-3 loss to Toronto, not only are fans unhappy with this team so far – but their manager is as well.
“I don’t like losses," Ryne Sandberg said. "You like to win games. It seems like in some of these games it’s been a one-inning type of thing. A crooked number in one inning. But our offense hasn’t come alive to overcome a crooked number by the other team. Six hits tonight, the two-run homer by Marlon Byrd and then we’re quiet after the third inning. So a lot of zeroes up there on the offensive side.”
Today the Phillies will once again look to find their bats in Florida as they take on the Atlanta Braves for the first time this spring. On the hill for the Phillies will be Sean O'Sullivan (0-0, -.– ERA), who will take on a Braves lineup fronted on the mound by Brandon Beachy (0-0, 10.50 ERA).
Sean O' Sullivan will be making his first start of the spring this afternoon against the Braves. The 26-year old righty spent last season with the Padres, going 0-2 with a 3.96 ERA in seven games (three starts). O'Sullivan spent most of his time with in AAA ball last season, going 8-5 with a 3.85 ERA. In one game with the Phils this spring, O'Sullivan has allowed just a hit batter and has struck out three
Brandon Beachy allowed two earned runs in 1 2/3 innings of work last week against Houston. He allowed five hits and walked one. Beachy is looking to start fresh and bounce back from a dismal 2013 season where he spent most of his time in the minors due to lack of control. Beachy is a familiar face to the Phillies so it will be interesting to see how he handles their offense.
Before today's game, the Phillies and Braves will honor former-player and manager Jim Fregosi in a tribute. Fregosi died on February 14th after suffering a series of strokes onboard an MLB alumni cruise. Fregosi played for 18 years then turned into a manager. In 1991 he found himself in Philadelphia and two years later led his team to the World Series. The tribute should be a beautiful and respectful display to honor Fregosi's life and his life with baseball.
Game Notes:
- Jimmy Rollins is back in today's lineup after missing yesterday's game with the flu.
- Clete Thomas and Reid Brignac will get their first starts of the spring today.
- Kevin Frandsen, who went 0-7 in his first seven appearances, will hit 7th today and play first base.
Lineups:
Phillies lineup:
- Clete Thomas CF
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Chase Utley 2B
- Bobby Abreu RF
- Darin Ruf LF
- Domonic Brown DH
- Kevin Frandsen 1B
- Cameron Rupp C
- Reid Brignac 3B
Sean O'Sullivan will start today's game against Atlanta.
Braves lineup:
- Jordan Schafer CF
- B.J. Upton DH
- Freddie Freeman 1B
- Ryan Doumit RF
- Chris Johnson 3B
- Dan Uggla 2B
- Andrelton Simmons SS
- Steven Lerud C
- Joey Terdoslavich LF
Brandon Beachy will start today's game against Philadelphia.
First Pitch: 1:05 PM ET
Location: Bright House Field, Clearwater, Florida
Weather: 76° – Mostly Cloudy – 0% Precip
TV: TCN, MLB Network
Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.
