Blackley, Offense Shine In Phillies Win
Sure it’s the first game of the Grapefruit League, but the outlook has to be positive. Everything seemed to go well for the Phillies in an 8-1 win over the Reds.
Jamie Moyer pitched three scoreless innings, giving up just one hit and striking out three. Game reports say Reds hitters looked baffled by what the 45-year-old wiseman was tossing out there. Moreover, Travis Blackley had a fine outing, pitching three scoreless innings of his own to get the win. In the race for No. 5 starter, give Blackley the early advantage. Carlos Carrasco — the franchise No. 1 prospect — pitched a scoreless ninth.
The offense got an early run thanks to a Ryan Howard double (he scored a few hitters later), but erupted off relief pitcher Gary Majewski. Pedro Feliz, Carlos Ruiz and So Taguchi all singled in the big inning, but the big blow came off the bat of Greg Dobbs, who slammed a three-run homerun to blow the game open for the Phightins.
So, one down, a bunch more to go before March 31. But the results are clearly good.
What we got out of this game:
- Travis Blackley will challenge for the No. 5 starter spot.
- Jamie Moyer looks like he can still fool some young guys.
- Ryan Howard is spraying the ball.
- The offense can still hit.
Next up it’s the Pirates. Kyle Kendrick will start for the Phillies, with Joe Savery and Josh Outman taking the rubber afterward. Watch to see if Kendrick looks as sharp as last season, and if Outman has the stuff to make a jump to the Bigs this season.
