Phils drop fourth straight spring contest

The Phillies dropped their fourth straight game on Saturday when they were downed by the Twins in Fort Myers by a score of 7-1.

Righty hurler Jerome Williams took the loss, allowing six runs (four earned) while allowing nine hits and two walks, striking out four in four innings of work.  The outing left Williams, who will likely open the 2015 season as the Phils’ number three starting pitcher, with a 0-3 record with a 6.60 ERA in five games.

In relief, Kenny Giles, Andy Oliver and Luis Garcia each tossed a scoreless frame.  Phillippe Aumont surrendered an earned run in an inning of work.

Giles has a 5.40 spring ERA in eight spring games.  If not for a single poor effort on the 26^th against Toronto (2/3 IP, 4 ER), that mark would be at 1.35 in seven games for the right-hander.

The lefty Oliver is 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA with 16 strike outs and seven walks in six Grapefruit League appearances.  He sported a 1.60 ERA in 48 AAA outings last season for Indianapolis.

Garcia has not been scored upon in nine appearances in Grapefruit League play.  The 28-year-old righty tallied a 6.43 ERA in 13 big league games last year, after sporting a 0.96 ERA in 39 appearances for AAA Lehigh Valley.

Aumont, who is without options this season, has a 1-0 record with a 4.15 ERA, 10 strike outs and two walks in 8 2/3 innings of work this spring.

Centerfield Odubel Herrera went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base in the contest.  The rookie Rule 5 pick is batting .346 with six steals in 15 games this spring.

The loss leaves the Phillies at 11-14-1 in the exhibition season.  They’ll take on the Tigers in Clearwater on Sunday.