Yesterday's start to the Phillies 2014 Spring Training round of games was cut short by a sudden rainfall. Before today's game, also against the Toronto Blue Jays, rain once again threatened to ruin the ball game. However, things did get started in time. After a 4-3 loss in seven innings yesterday, the Phillies were hungry for revenge looking to continue working on their mechanics. Leading them in the game was Cliff Lee, making his first start of the Spring. Up against Lee for the Blue Jays was knuckleball specialist and former Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey. The Phillies had seen Dickey a number of times during his stint with the New York Mets.
The Game: Much like it did yesterday, the scoring got off to a quick start. Ben Revere started the game off with his second single in as many days. After Freddy Galvis flew out, Bobby Abreu successfully reached base when shortstop Jose Reyes made a throwing error. Darin Ruf walked next to load the bases. While Maikel Franco was batting, a passed ball allowed each runner to move up a base and brought home the first run. Franco would walk, but a Kevin Frandsen strikeout and a Cody Asche ground out ended the scoring opportunity. 1-0 Phillies.
Again much like yesterday, the early lead did not hold. Cliff Lee threw just three pitches to the first three batters. Jose Reyes flew out, but Moises Sierra and Jose Bautista each doubled to tie the game at 1 a side.
Scoring would resume in the third inning, when Bobby Abreu led off with a walk. Darin Ruf stepped up and recorded his first home run of the season, a two-run shot into left field. Move the score to 3-1 Phillies, until the bottom of the inning. Moises Sierra would reach first when Maikel Franco failed to make the catch at first base, his second error of the Spring. It would prove costly when another Jose Bautista double scored Sierra, making it 3-2 Philadelphia.
Jake Diekman would come on to replace Brad Lincoln in the fourth. A lead off Brett Lawrie single was followed by a Melky Cabrera fielder's choice. Maicer Izturis also singled, putting two runners on. After former Phillie Erik Kratz flew out, both Kenny Wilson and Jose Reyes singled to bring in two consecutive runs, giving the Blue Jays a 4-3 advantage.
The fifth inning would see Toronto record another three runs. Ethan Martin was summoned, and immediately allowed Bautista to walk. Edwin Encarnicion singled next. A Brett Lawrie doubled secured the first run, while the second two came home on a Melky Cabrera double. 7-3 Blue Jays.
A solo homerun into left field with two away by John Mayberry Jr. inched the Philies closer. 7-4 Blue Jays. They'd score again in the eighth inning against former Phillie Rob Rasmussen. Franco would get on because of an error. Reid Brignac reached on a one out walk, and Kelly Dugan loaded the bases when he was hit by a pitch. Catcher Tommy Joseph grounded to first, but when the throw bounced off the bag, each runner safely moved up and the Phillies had their fifth run. A Tyson Gillied double play lineout ended the threat, but the score now stood at 7-5.
B.J. Rosenberg completed the seventh and eighth innings for the Phillies without allowing a run. The top of the ninth saw no offense from the Phillies, and the score finished at 7-5 Toronto.
Other Phillies pitchers making appearances today included Mike Stutes and Mario Hollands.
Some notable offensive performances:
Ben Revere: 3-4, 1 R
Freddy Galvis: 0-4, 1 K
Bobby Abreu: 0-2, 2 BB
Darin Ruf: 1-3, 1 HR, 1 BB
John Mayberry Jr.: 2-3, 1 HR
Impact: Not much, as will be the case for the next month. At the risk of sounding repetitive, you can't use the first two games of Spring Training as a measurement of how the season will go. If there is anything you want to take away from the contest, know that Maikel Franco now has two errors, one at third and the other at first. Personally, I don't see it as a concern just yet. However, if it is to become a pattern, it may raise some eyebrows.
Up Next: The Phillies return to Bright House Field against the Detroit Tigers. While the Tigers have yet to announce their starting pitcher, Kyle Kendrick will take the bump at 1:05 for the Phillies.
Andrew Gillen, a writer for philliedelphia.com
