Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone!
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Yesterday the Phillies showed some semblance of pitching prowess in a 6-2 win over the Reds in Sarasota. The main cog in the wheel was Brett Myers, who spread 70 pitches over seven innings and looked generally strong. He gave up just two hits — both to the legendary Ken Griffey Jr — and two runs while striking out three. Ryan Madson and Travis Blackley both worked scoreless innings to finish the game.
The Phillies offense was powered yet again by likely AAA players. Ray Olmedo, Jason Jaramillo and Chris Snelling drove in runs, while Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Geoff Jenkins went hitless. As we near the fourth week of Spring Training, it’s getting tougher and tougher to tolerate this light brand of offensive baseball.
But Myers is definitely ready for the season to begin. He was sharp. The Opening Day starter has also risen to be a vocal clubhouse leader — at least from a faraway eye. This article talks about how Aaron Rowand’s absence might mean a lot to the Phillies this season; hopefully it will be for naught, as Myers steps up and takes the throne as the boisterous and balls-to-the-wall compadre.
What we got out of this game:
- Brett Myers appears ready for Opening Day already.
- The offense does not appear ready, and now it’s nerve-wracking.
- While not discussed, Jasyon Werth’s job may be not as secure as we thought.
I hope today the Phillies sport the green uniforms as they take on the Indians in Clearwater. Chad Durbin gets a crucial start for his fifth starter candidacy, while Clay Condrey, Tom Gordon and JC Romero are also set to throw. Phillies Nation is at the game, which is at 1:05.
Game update: Offense! Rollins, Shane Victorino and Utley have all broken out the sticks, and the Phils are up 5-0. Vic and Utley are both 2-for-2. Chad Durbin is pitching respectably so fa through three frames. Live box score.
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