Phillies seek to rebound in Alumni Day matchup against Estrada, Blue Jays

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

As part of Alumni Day, the Philadelphia Phillies (2-8) will honor the 2008 World Series championship team prior to their matinee matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays (3-6) and veteran right-hander Marco Estrada at Spectrum Field on Sunday.

The club is coming off a pair of Saturday defeats in split-squad action, home against the Baltimore Orioles in Clearwater, 4-2, and away against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton, 4-3. Thirteen hits were produced combined between the two contests. Phillies backup catcher-hopeful Andrew Knapp homered in the road game, his first of the spring. At home, Phillies first baseman Carlos Sananta walked twice through three plate appearances, although he is still hitless so far through 10 at-bats.

Phillies right-hander Jerad Eickhoff will make his second Grapefruit League start this spring.


Starting Pitching Matchup:

Toronto Blue Jays (3-6) Philadelphia Phillies (2-8)
RHP Marco Estrada RHP Jerad Eickhoff
(0-0, 0.00 ERA) (0-1, 13.50 ERA)

Estrada, 34, tossed a 1-2-3 inning, with a strikeout of New York Yankees first baseman Tyler Austin, in his spring debut on Feb. 27. The right-hander and the Blue Jays finalized a one-year, $13 million contract extension last September, allowing the 2016 All-Star to return for a fourth season with the club. Overall through his 10-year career, Estrada is 55-52 with a 4.05 ERA.

Eickhoff, 27, allowed three runs (two earned) in just 1 1/3 innings in his spring debut against the Detroit Tigers on Feb. 27. The right-hander struck out three batters, while surrendering three hits in the losing decision. Eickhoff's Sunday start will be his third appearance overall, however, as he threw two perfect innings against the University of Tampa Spartans on Feb. 22.


Starting Lineups:

Toronto Blue Jays (3-6) Philadelphia Phillies (2-8)
  Position Player Bats   Position Player Bats
1 RF Curtis Granderson L 1 SS Cesar Hernandez S
2 SS Yangervis Soalrte S 2 1B Carlos Santana S
3 DH Josh Donaldson R 3 2B Scott Kingery* R
4 1B Justin Smoak S 4 CF Odubel Herrera L
5 CF Kevin Pillar R 5 RF Aaron Altherr R
6 LF Steve Pearce R 6 LF Nick Williams L
7 C Luke Maile R 7 C Jorge Alfaro R
8 3B Jason Leblebijian* R 8 DH Cameron Rupp R
9 2B Gift Ngoepe R 9 3B Jesmuel Valentin S

* non-roster invitee


Broadcast Information:

  • First pitch: 1:05 p.m.
  • TV: NBCSP+
  • Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

What's Next:

  • Monday, March 5, 2018: vs. Minnesota Twins, 1:05 p.m.
    • Spectrum Field, Clearwater, Fla.
    • RHP Kyle Gibson (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. RHP Vince Velasquez (0-1, 16.20 ERA)
    • TV: NBCSP+, MLBN; Radio: N/A
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