Yesterday, the Phillies took the win against the Blue Jays in a rain shortened game. Dave Buchanan started and pitched two perfect innings with two strikeouts. Buchanan has pitched very well this spring and could be a call up during the season.
Tonight, Jeff Manship took the hill against the New York Yankees. Manship is a finalist to make the team this spring. Going into tonight Manship was 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in sixteen innings. The Yankees sent Adam Warren to hill in a bullpen game. Warren was 1-1 with a 2.08 in 8.2 innings.
The Game: In the second inning, the Phillies struck for their first run. Domonic Brown and Carlos Ruiz both reached on fielding errors. When Ruiz reached Brown was thrown out at home by Brett Gardner to Kelly Johnson, but Ruiz moved up to second. Bobby Abreu followed with a single to score Ruiz. 1-0 Phillies
In the third inning with two outs, the Phillies had a power surge many Phillies fans hope to see this season. Ryan Howard and Marlon Byrd went back to back with homers to right and center. 3-0 Phillies
In the sixth inning with one out, Marlon Byrd hit a double down the line. Domonic Brown hit a single to drive Byrd in. With Ruiz at the plate Brown stole his first base of the spring. That set up Ruiz driving him in with an rbi single. 5-0 Phillies
In the ninth inning with one out, Edgar Duran hit a single, followed by John Mayberry Jr. moving Duran to third. Tony Gwynn Jr. then hit a sac fly to finish off the scoring for the night. Barry Enright closed out the night for the Phillies. 6-0 Phillies
Mike Adams, Justin DeFatus, Brad Lincoln, and Shawn Camp appeared in the game.
This was Mike Adams first game this spring.
Notable Offensive Performances:
Ryan Howard 1-3, 1BB, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R
Marlon Byrd 2-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 R
Domonic Brown 1-4, 1 R, 1RBI
Bobby Abreu 1-3, 1 BB, 1 RBI
Impact: The Phillies bullpen pitched very well, as they have most the spring. A few weeks ago, Papelbon said they should have a top bullpen this year and it looks like that could be a real possibility. It is also important that Mike Adams got into a game and pitched well. Ryan Howard and Marlon Byrd also continue to hit for power this spring.
Up Next: Tomorrow the Phillies will play their second to last game at Bright House Field. Phillies will send Cliff Lee to the mount, which should be his final game before Opening Day. Lee will face off in late spring pitching duel versus Justin Verlander. Verlander this spring is 1-0 and has a 0.00 ERA this spring in 13.2 innings.
Andrew Shipotofsky is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on twitter @Ashipotofsky
