Braves Knock Around Carrasco In 7-2 Win

Carlos Carrasco pitched two innings, and he was hit around pretty badly in both frames.

Carrasco gave up five runs (three earned) on six hits — that was the difference in the Braves 7-2 win Sunday over the Phillies. His bad outing came after Joe Blanton pitched a solid four frames, giving up just a run on four hits and a walk. Blanton is locked into the opening rotation … Carrasco? It’s becoming increasingly likely he’ll begin in the Lehigh Valley IronPigs rotation.

The Phils hitting stars were Jason Donald (2-for-3, RBI, R, BB) and Marcus Giles (2-for-4). They’re competing for a potential bench spot (or better); Eric Bruntlett might be in that competition, too — he went 1-for-4. John Mayberry Jr. struck out three times in four at bats. Pablo Ozuna got some time, but went 0-for-2.

Ryan Madson gave up a run on four hits in one inning of work. Clay Condrey kept his scoreless spring in tact after an inning of work.

The Phillies return to Clearwater Monday to play the Reds. Cole Hamels takes the hill for his second spring outing; his first was successful, blanking the Canadian World Baseball Classic team in two frames.

Tim Malcolm

Tim first found the Phillies as a little infant at Veteran’s Stadium, cheering on a Juan Samuel game-winning home run in his very first game. With the pinstripes in his blood, he witnessed Terry Mulholland’s 1990 no-hitter, “Steve Carlton Night” at the Vet, game three of the 1993 World Series, countless games during the charmed 2008 championship season and various road excursions. Since November 2007 Tim’s been writing about them daily at Phillies Nation, becoming one of the world’s most popular Phillies scribes. You can catch him on Twitter and Facebook, as well. When he’s not talking about the Phils he’s relaxing with a St. Bernardus ABT 12 or one of his many favored brews.