The Philadelphia Phillies won their Grapefruit League match against the Detroit Tigers on Friday afternoon.
- Kyle Kendrick got the start, and gave up three runs over two innings. It was not a good showing for the veteran, who gave up two hits and three walks. On the positive side, Kendrick struck out three.
- Sean O’Sullivan pitched two scoreless innings, striking out three to get the win.
- Philippe Aumont pitched a scoreless inning, without allowing a hit or giving up a walk.
- Luis Garcia allowed a run on three hits in one inning of work.
- Cesar Jimenez pitched two scoreless frames and struck out two.
- Justin De Fratus gave up two hits in the final inning, but also struck out the size.
- Jimmy Rollins had a strong day at the plate, hitting a three-run home run and drawing two walks. Rollins’ homer came with two outs.
- Chase Utley went 1-3 with a single, and scored a run.
- Ryan Howard went 0-3 with two strikeouts and left three runners on base.
- Marlon Byrd went 2-3 and scored two runs.
- Carlos Ruiz and Maikel Franco each went 0-1 with a walk and scored a run.
- Domonic Brown went 0-3 with a walk and scored a run.
- Darin Ruf went 1-3, driving in two runs.
- Lou Marson, who at one point was a top catching prospect for the Phillies who was involved in the original Cliff Lee trade, is back with the organization and made an appearance as a pinch hitter today, picking up a double.
Final Thoughts
It was a good showing for the Phillies’ offense today.
Jimmy Rollins was productive in all three at-bats, patiently working out two walks and hitting his first homer of the spring.
Marlon Byrd picked up two more hits.
Darin Ruf is off to a good start with four RBI’s in his first two games.
The only downside was Ryan Howard’s 0-for with two strikeouts.
Byrd is picking up from where he ended last season..
Hits a lot of balls to right-center and is a patient hitter at the plate..
Good to hear that J-Ro had a nice game ..
Hmm: Ryan Howard…Think he’s gonna adjust his swing or approach at the plate at all?
It’s beyond too late for Players like Howard,Rollins & Ruiz to make adjustments at the Plate at this stage of their Careers
They are what they are as far as Hitters go..
Before a torn Achilles Howard’s last year healthy was 152 games .253, 33,116… I will take him as he is…
Yes I would too HAC as the Phiks would be happy with him playing in that many games with that Production
I am thinking more like Howard plays 120 Games.. .240 Batting Average
25 HR’s & 80 RBI’s, with D Ruff filling in and putting up #’s
To combine with Howard’s, that they should be ok at 1B as far as Power #’s go.. but it is unlikely Ryan Howard plays 150 Games with 550 At-Bats again..
Howard isn’t old for a first baseman… His last two seasons he didn’t have his base.. Impossible to play. I know I’m the eternal optimist but I look for a real interesting year
No he is not old, but a big man whith leg injuries is just never a good thing moving forward.. He looks in great shape so far and hope he can remain healthy.. He’s work hard and been a little snake bit..
I hope for the best , because a healthy & productive Howard
Playing 150 games could lead a nice rebound for the Team,
But as a Fan, I do not expect that and like most fans of Baseball have to take a wait & see approach..
I don’t think there is any Phille Position Player where you can simply pencil in their Production & Stats for 2014
Utley will be consistent as he is solid hitter,
But go up and down on anyone else and you see can see a big gap
On what they will do..
Does Rollins bat .240 or back up to .270-.275
Does D Brown bat .275 and hit 30 Hr’s
Same with Ruiz
How about Revere or Byrd…
Revere was hot and playing done great ball before getting injured
Byrd had a Career Season last year at age 34 when given his last chance with the Mets and made the most of it..
Does he continue and play big in Clutch situations or does he revert to his Career Stats of 2007-2012 where he was basically an average and streaky hitter.
If the Phils Core (Howard,Utley,Rollins,& Ruiz)c
Can produce 85% of their Career Stats and Production #’and D Brown & B Revere can continue to improve, then they have a chance to contend and make things interesting
There is no doubt that their Pitching Staff is going to give up Runs so their chances to remain competitive lie with their Offense where they are going to need to average close to 5 Runs a game to have
A shot..