(Photo: Andrew Shipotofsky/Philliedelphia.com)
The Phillies tied the Red Sox yesterday after Cliff Lee tossed six innings of two-run ball. Allowing three hits, a single walk and striking out six batters, Lee improved his opponent average to .192 for the spring. Backed by a Tony Gwynn Jr. solo shot and a Clete Thomas RBI single in the bottom of the 8th, the Phillies were able to take the Red Sox to 10 innings where they decided to conclude the game in a tie.
The Phillies will send out A.J. Burnett (1-2, 10.00 ERA) to the mound today as the Phillies travel to Bradenton to take on the Pirates. On the mound for the Bucs will be Stolmy Pimentel (1-0, 0.00 ERA).
A.J. Burnett hasn't pitched in a game since March 12th against the Orioles when he was hit for three runs on four hits over four frames. In all three of Burnett's starts this spring, he has hit two batsmen per game. With his command an issue the Phillies will send him out to pitch against the Pirates, a team he made his first start against back on March 2nd. In that game, Burnett allowed an earned run on one hit in two innings pitched.
Stolmy Pimentel's last game was in fact against the Phillies back on March 2nd. Having been kept to a bullpen and live hitter practices, Pimentel is getting another shot at a start in the Grapefruit League. Back on March 2nd, Pimentel tossed two scoreless innings while allowing a hit against the Phillies. With a minimal chance of making the big league roster for Opening Day, Pimentel is looking to prove that he can be solid in relief for the Bucs.
Game Notes:
- Cole Hamels tossed a live BP session today and the Phillies cut INF Maikel Franco, OF Clete Thomas, and LHP Sean O'Sullivan.
- Former Phil Michael Martinez will be in the Pirates' starting lineup this afternoon.
- Domonic Brown was a late add-in to the lineup this afternoon. He missed the past week due to the flu.
Today's Lineups:
Phillies lineup:
- Ben Revere CF
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Marlon Byrd RF
- Ryan Howard 1B
- Carlos Ruiz C
- Dom Brown DH
- Cesar Hernandez 2B
- Cody Asche 3B
- Tony Gwynn Jr. LF
Pirates lineup:
- Chris Dickerson CF
- Russell Martin C
- Travis Snider RF
- Pedro Alvarez 3B
- Andrew Lambo 1B
- Travis Ishikawa DH
- Michael Martinez 2B
- Jaff Decker LF
- Clint Barmes SS
First Pitch: 1:05 PM ET
Location: Pirate City, Bradenton, Florida
Weather: 75° – Partly Cloudy – 10% Precip
TV: None
Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.
