Whether you are happy or not with what the Phillies have done this offseason, baseball is back. Today, the Phillies opened up their exibition schedule with a matchup against the Division II University of Tampa Spartans.
The Game: With one out in the bottom of the second, Russ Canzler ripped a double to left. Aaron Altherr followed with a single to drive Canzler home, making it 1-0 in favor of the Phillies. He advanced to second on the throw. Tommy Joseph hit a single of his own next and a botched pickoff during the Chase D'Arnaud at-bat allowed Altherr to score from third, making it a 2-0 lead.
University of Tampa got on the board in the sixth. Ruben Amaro Jr.'s nephew, Andrew Amaro, singled with one out. After stealing second, Amaro scored on a single from teammate Giovanny Alfonso. That made it a 2-1. UT tied things up in the seventh thanks to a bases loaded walk from Amaro after the Spartans loaded the bases on Nefi Ogando. With the game at 2-2 and Hector Neris on the hill in relief of Nefi Ogando, the Spartans took their first lead of the game in a big way, via a Giovanny Alfonso grand slam. Spartans would close out the seventh with a 6-2 lead.
The Phillies attempted a comeback in the bottom of the ninth, but it came up short. John Hester and Devin Mastroianni drew back-to-back walks to start the inning. Jordan Danks struck out, but then Chris Nelson walked to load the bases for Cord Phelps. Unfortunately, he grounded out to end the game.
Phillies lose this one, 6-2. They left 10 men on base.
Pitching Report:
- Paul Clemens started the game, hurling two innings and striking out one.
- Andy Oliver, one of this year's Rule-5 selections pitched the third and fourth innings and gave up no runs with a strikeout and a walk.
- Elvis Araujo tossed a scoreless fifth, striking out three out of the four batters he faced.
- Phillippe Aumont is out of options, so this spring training is crucial for him Unfortunately, he struggled giving up a run on three hits during his one inning of work.
- Nefi Ogando came in for the seventh and gave up four earned runs and two walks. The big blow came off of a grand slam after Ogando left the game.
- Hector Neris came on with the bases loaded in the seventh and surrendered the go-ahead grand slam.
Notable Offensive Statistics:
- Aaron Altherr: 2-3, R, RBI
- Odubel Herrera: 1-3, SB
- Darin Ruf: 1-3
- Russ Canzler: 1-4, 2B, R
- Tommy Joseph: 1-2
Post-Game Thoughts: While the Phillies regulars weren't in the lineup this game, the pitchers were fighting for spots on the big league roster and there were plenty of disappointments. Neris, Ogando and Aumont all struggled while Andy Oliver tossed two shutout innings in his first action in a Phillies uniform. Not much to talk about offensively here. Aaron Altherr led the Phils offense with two hits while Rule-5 pick, Odubel Herrera got a hit and stole a base in his first Phillies game.
Up Next: The Phillies begin their MLB exibition schedule on Tuesday, March 3rd at 1:05pm in Clearwater against the Yankees. Jerome Williams is slated to start for the Phillies
