The Phillies ended Spring Training on a positive note this afternoon in South Philadelphia. Facing the Pirates and Charlie Morton, the Phillies got on the board first and never looked back. Add a strong outing from starter David Buchanan, and it all came together for a Phillies win.
Morton probably would like to forget today's start against the Phillies. The first seven Phillies reached base and the Phillies found themselves with a 4-0 lead and the bases loaded in the first inning. This all happened thanks to two hits, two hit batters, and three walks to Phillies batters. Freddy Galvis struck out and David Buchanan grounded into a double play to end the threat.
Facing the top of the order once again, Morton was only marginally better. Ben Revere opened the inning with a walk and Odubel Herrera followed suit with his own single. Ryan Howard reached on an error, scoring Revere. Carlos Ruiz followed with a single that scored Herrera to give the Phillies their sixth and final run.
Buchanan allowed his first two walks of the Spring today en route to his third Spring victory. With five strong innings, including just two hits, Buchanan left the game with the Phillies up 6-0, before being relieved by Ken Giles, who needed the work.
Speaking of Giles, his performance was a bit of a concern. Reaching just (just?) 94 miles per hour, Giles' velocity is clearly down in his first appearance since leaving with lower back tightness. Giles gave up two hits and a walk that led to two earned runs in just one-third inning of work. Some observers questioned Giles' health after he departed. Stay tuned. Cesar Jimenez stranded Giles' inherited runner, finishing the sixth inning.
The other two Pirates runs came from the pitching performance Andy Oliver. Oliver pitched two-thirds of an inning, giving up one hit and one walk while striking out one. The high walk total could be what keeps Oliver from making the Phillies' Opening Day roster. Seth Rosin relieved Oliver and got the final out of the inning, but not before allowing both inherited runners to score.
Jake Diekman pitched a scoreless eighth, and Luis Garcia pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his fourth save of the Spring. Garcia ends a fine Spring Training in which he finishes with a 0.75 ERA in 12 innings of work. Garcia appears to be a lock for the Phillies bullpen in 2015.
The Phillies end Spring Training with a record of 14 wins, 17 losses, and two tie games. Opening Day will be Monday at 3:05 at Citizens Bank Park.
