Phillies Drop First Spring Training Game 8-5 to Yankees

Posted by Danielle Wilson

What you see here is Raul Ibanez ruining the Comcast broadcast. In a Yankees uniform.  Jerk.

On a serious note, it was awesome seeing Raul with New York. Good for him. Wednesday's game was essentially a pre-pre-season game. Still a win, but, today's the day that *meaningful* games begin. Let spring training commence!

Cole Hamels started this afternoon's game against Yankees starter Ivan Nova. Cole got into a bit of trouble in the first inning allowing a double to Curtis Granderson, and later Raul Ibanez, who scored Grandy. Raul slid into second under Michael Martinez's glove, cutting his finger. Martinez stayed in after receiving a bandage.

Shane Victorino got the ball rolling for the Phils in the home half of the first, legging out an infield single which was misplayed by shortstop Eduardo Nunez. After trotting to second base on another error, Hunter Pence then annihilated a ball over the fence to make it a 2-1 game.

Cole Hamels was done after two innings. His line: 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K.

Right-hander Dave Bush looked excellent on the mound, minus the solo home run given up to Curtis Granderson in the third.

Closer Jonathan Papelbon made his debut in the fifth inning, shutting down the Yankees 1-2-3 with three fly balls. Brett Gardener scored from second in the sixth on an RBI double from Javier Vazquez to give the Yanks a 3-2 lead. Dontrelle Willis was charged with the run.

The Yankees took a 4-2 lead in the seventh after Chad Qualls allowed a double and a triple. Later in the inning, Cole Garner hit a two-run homer to left, making it a 6-2 lead.

Raul (don't call him Wilson) Valdes pitched a solid 1-2-3 in the eighth. Down 6-2, Tyson Gillies and Hector Luna both singled prior to Pete Orr ending the inning on a pop-up. The Phillies threatened with men in scoring position all throughout the game.

Michael Stutes ran into some trouble in the ninth allowing two runs to score, but made it out alive. The Phillies' offense threatened once more, and Kevin Frandsen capitalized with a 2-run homer, cutting the Yankees' lead in half. Tyson Gillies slapped a double to left, scoring Scott Podsednik, making it an 8-5 game. However, that's what the score would remain.

The Phillies dropped the first spring training game of the year 8-5 to the Yankees. The two teams will play again tomorrow in Tampa @ 1:05. Roy Halladay gets the start.