Despite the field conditions, baseball was played. Photo Courtesy: Frank Klose
Rain, tornado warnings, and a concern for safety all threatened to cancel one, or both, of today's games. The unconventional split squad day was set to have half of the Phillies roster take on Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland, while the other half remained in Clearwater to battle Masahiro Tanaka and the New York Yankees once again. The aforementioned rain did have an impact on both games. In Lakeland, the game was called just moments after the scheduled 1:05 start time. In Clearwater, the game was delayed until 2:30, much to the dismay of those that felt holding off in such bad weather for a Spring Training game was uncalled for. No matter the objection, the game was played, and Kyle Kendrick got the nod.
The Game: Kendrick, the probably fourth starter for the Phillies this season, threw a respectable three innings to kick things off. Through the three frames, KK allowed just three hits and two strikeouts. He also allowed a single walk, and gave up a third inning solo homerun to Ramon Flores, but this start looked more impressive than his first. 1-0 Yankees to this point.
Masahiro Tanaka had been spotless to this point in the Spring. He had yet to allow a run with his team, that was until the bottom half of the third. Freddy Galvis, not known for being the most powerful of batters, was able to secure the first homerun hit off Tanaka in a Major League Baseball game (possible trivia question in years to come). That solo dinger tied things at 1.
Bruce Billings, a reliever for the Yankees, pitched both the fourth and fifth inning for his team. Unfortunately, the second of those innings did not go well for him. Both Carlos Ruiz and John Mayberry Jr. were able to mash homeruns, back to back, in fact. Those two shots put the score at 3-1 Phillies.
Things got a bit dicey in the seventh when Jeremy Horst came in to relieve Mario Hollands. Scott Sizemore doubled with one away in the inning. A close play at the plate ensued when Adonis Garcia singled into right field. The throw from Leandro Castro was close, but Sizemore was called safe, and the Yankees second run of the day scored. Two consecutive walks to Yangervis Solarte and Corban Joseph loaded the bases with two away, but John Ryan Murphy lined out to end the threat. 3-2 Phillies.
Phillippe Aumont took the mound in the eighth inning. Gary Sanchez singled into no-man's-land in left field to reach 1st. After a strikeout, Aumont allowed a double to Jose Pirela. Sanchez came in to score, and Pirela moved over to third when Andres Blanco let the ball slip through his fingers. A walk set up runners at the corners with one away. Roman Flores then floated one into right field for a sacrifice and the go-ahead run. Aumont was able to get the third out, but not before New York took the 4-3 lead.
The Phillies saw one more opportunity in the ninth to win a second ball game, but could not work things out. The Yankees take this one 4-3.
Jonathan Papelbon and Justin De Fratus also saw work in the game today.
Notable offensive performances:
Freddy Galvis: 1-3, HR
John Mayberry Jr.: 2-3, HR
Marlon Byrd: 1-3, K
Impact: Another day, another unfortunate loss for the Phillies. I have to keep mentioning Grapefruit League records mean nothing, but a bit of momentum going into April can be a good thing. All things considered, there are a few weeks until the regular season starts in Arlington. Still a respectable amount of time to pick things up. For today, take a bit of solace in the three inning stint from Kyle Kendrick.
Up Next: The Phillies will continue to see starting pitchers making their team debuts for the Spring, as Ubaldo Jimenez gets the ball for the Baltimore Orioles. A.J. will get the nod, as he looks to tackle the other team that was considered to be the favorite to land him just a month ago. The game begins at 1:05 eastern.
Andrew Gillen, a writer for philliedelphia.com
