Going into tonight's game, the Phillies are in an early spring slump winning only one of the six games played. Cliff Lee made the start for the Phillies tonight and was very effective through his three innings. R. A. Dickey started for the Blue Jays and went four innings giving up three runs.
The Game: The game started with Cliff Lee getting a quick 123 inning. The Phillies opened the scoring in the bottom of the first. With one out, Freddy Galvis was hit by a pitch. After a hard out by Chase Utley, Ryan Howard walked to put runners on first and second. Marlon Byrd then hit a ground ball single to load the bases, allowing Bobby Abreu to work his fifth walk of the spring to drive in a run. 1-0 Phillies
In the top of the second inning, Moises Sierra hit a lead off single off Lee. One batter later, our old friend, Erik Kratz hit a single to runners put on first and second. With two outs, Kevin Pillar would hit a single to left field scoring Moises Sierra, but Domonic Brown would make an excellent play and gunning Erik Kratz out at the plate. 1-1 Tie
In the top of the third, Lee would finish his night with a 123 inning. In the bottom, Chase Utley would hit a lead off single. After a Howard strikeout, Marlon Byrd would hit his first homerun of the spring to right field. 3-1 Phillies
In the top of fourth inning, B.J. Rosenberg would get a quick two outs, before Adam Lind hit a monster solo shot to right field. 3-2 Phillies
In the top of the sixth, Luis Garcia came into pitch. He allowed a lead off single to Jose Reyes and proceeded to walk Maicer Izturis. With runners on first and second, red hot Melky Cabrera hit a single to center scoring Reyes. Moises Sierra would reload the bases with a single to left. With the bases loaded, Adam Lind grounded into an RBI double play. The threat was ended with a fly out by Erik Kratz. 4-3 Blue Jays
In the top of the eighth, Cesar Jimenez would walk the first batter, Kenny Wilson, only to have Ricardo Nanita ground into a double play. With two outs, Dan Johnson would finish the scoring for the night with a solo shot to right. 5-3 Blue Jays
The other Phillies pitcher-making an appearance in the game was Shawn Camp who pitched an impressive one and third innings after relieving Cesar Jimenez in the eighth.
Some notable offensive performances:
Chase Utley: 1-3, 1 R
Kevin Frandsen: 1-1
Domonic Brown: 1-3, 1 K
Marlon Byrd: 2-3, 1 R, 2 RBI
Impact: In the early portion of the game, the regulars look to be putting good swings on the ball including Byrd’s first homer of the spring. Howard looks close to having his timing back. Kevin Frandsen who looked to be pressing at the plat, going 0-7 into tonight's play got his first hit of the spring.
Up Next: The Phillies will stay at home tomorrow as they face their NL East rivals, the Atlanta Braves. The Phillies will send Sean O’Sullivan to hill for his first start of the spring versus Brandon Beachy (1.2 IP 10.80 ERA in first start). Sean O’Sullivan so far this spring has one appearance getting the Phillies their only win of the spring with one inning, no hits, and one walk. Note: Thursday is split squad game.
Andrew Shipotofsky is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter @AShipotofsky
