Posted by Kevin Durso
Vance Worley allowed three runs in six innings in the Phillies' 5-3 loss to the Yankees. (Courtesy of SI.com)
When you look back at the box score of this one, you know the story is that Vance Worley continued to have a solid spring with another good start. The problem was it didn't start that way. The Phillies offense didn't start to arrive until later in the game, and by that point, it was too late to reverse the damage Worley had allowed at the start of his outing today.
The Yankees managed four hits in the first four batters of the game off Worley. Robinson Cano drove home two with a double. He scored on a single by Eric Chavez.
The Phillies wouldn't allow much from there, as Vance Worley pitched six innings allowing three runs on seven hits with one walk and seven strikeouts.
The Phillies also got on the board in the sixth, as John Mayberry Jr. blooped a single into right scoring Hunter Pence.
The Phillies bullpen would just give that run right back, as Doug Bernier doubled home another run for the Yankees.
Miguel Abreu would cut the lead to two with an RBI double in the seventh, but the Yankees got that run right back on an RBI single by Brandon Laird in the eighth.
David Herndon and Michael Stutes each allowed a run to the Yankees in their lone innings of relief. Herndon allowed two hits, while Stutes allowed three hits and struck out the side.
Jonathan Papelbon pitched a perfect ninth and picked up two strikeouts.
Erik Kratz blasted a solo shot in the eighth to cut the lead to two again, but that was all the Phillies could manage as they fell to the Yankees, 5-3.
The Phillies didn't do too much wrong in this one. They managed nine hits as a team, and just simply got caught by bad luck in some of their hits. Worley's early struggles put the Phillies in a hole that they ultimately couldn't climb out of.
There is progress being made, but with bench players and minor leaguers getting the bulk of the work, it's hard to judge where this team is in terms of progress. Their record this spring is not an indicator of their play or the team they will have. But at this point, all we can do is wait until the final product is out in early April.
The Phillies are back in action tomorrow when they face the Boston Red Sox.
Kevin Durso is a contributor for @Philliedelphia. You can follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
