The Phillies secured their second win of the spring yesterday, routing the Astros 11-3 in a split squad game. Going hitless for the first five innings, the Phillies' bats began to explode in the bottom half of the fifth. In three offensive innings, the Phillies managed to score 11 runs – highlighted by Cody Asche (2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI), Carlos Ruiz (2-for-3, HR, 3 RBI), and John Mayberry Jr. (1-for-2, 2B, 3 RBI). This afternoon, the Phillies will travel two hours south east to Fort Myers, Florida to take on the Minnesota Twins. On the hill for Philadelphia will be Jeff Manship (0-0, 0.00 ERA in 4 IP) and for Minnesota will be familiar face Mike Pelfrey (0-0, 4.15 ERA).
Jeff Manship has shown nothing but impressive stuff so far this year. In two scoreless appearances, both tw0-inning outings, Manship has allowed just one hit and has struck out five. In his last outing, against the Rays on Monday, Manship threw just 10 pitches – all for strikes. In fact, all of Jeff Manship's pitches this spring (22) have been for strikes. Making his first start of the year today, Manship is on a mission to prove that he has what it takes to be the Phillies' possible fifth man in 2014.
Mike Pelfrey is entering his second full season as a Twin this year and is looking to improve from his 5-13 record and 5.19 ERA in 2013. In two starts (4.1 IP) in Grapefruit League play Pelfrey has allowed two earned runs – both from his last start. On Wednesday, Pelfrey was hit three times for two earned runs in just 2 1/3 innings of work. Taking the no-decision in the outing, Pelfrey seeks a better start where he can move his pitches around the zone without losing control.
Game Notes:
- With Cole Hamels' 2014 debut in limbo, the Phillies are looking for depth in their rotation – Manship is a definite contender for the fifth spot (possibly 4th for Opening Day).
- Darin Ruf is certainly aiming for an Opening Day starting spot. In 10 games he is hitting .318 (7-for-22) with 2 HR and 6 RBI.
- The Phillies reassigned lefty Jesse Biddle to Minor League camp yesterday.
Lineups:
Phillies lineups:
- Ben Revere CF
- Freddy Galvis 2B
- Bobby Abreu RF
- Darin Ruf 1B
- Maikel Franco 3B
- John Mayberry Jr. DH
- Tony Gwynn Jr. LF
- Ronny Cedeno SS
- Wil Nieves
Jeff Manship will start today's game against Minnesota.
Twins lineup:
- Darin Mastroianni CF
- Kurt Suzuki C
- Joe Mauer 1B
- Josh Willingham LF
- Chris Parmalee RF
- Wilkin Ramirez DH
- Deibinson Romero 3B
- Jason Bartlett 2B
- Danny Santana SS
Mike Pelfrey will start today's game against Philadelphia.
First Pitch: 1:05 PM ET
Location: Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers, Florida
Weather: 79° – Sunny – 0% Precip
Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT
Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.
