Blanton Changes Grip, Struggles Against Pirates

The Phillies did not win on Saturday.  Nor did they lose.  After ten innings, the Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates called it a tie, with the game knotted at three.

Joe Blanton made his spring debut, and allowed three first inning runs.  In his two innings of work, he surrendered five hits, three for extra bases.  Blanton explained that he is working on a new grip for his sinker since he was uncomfortable with the previous grip.

Danys Baez made an impressive Phillies spring debut.  He allowed one hit and struck out two in two scoreless innings.

Also, Domonic Brown continues to impress this spring.  He went 2-for-3 against the Pirates.  On the other hand, Ryan Howard remains hitless.  Howard is trying to work on hitting breaking balls, but he has struck out four times in five at-bats.