The Phillies were back in action today, hosting the Florida State Seminoles at Bright House Field in Clearwater, FL this afternoon.
The pitching was exceptional and the hitting wasn’t, which is always expected in the first real nine innings of baseball played, regardless the talent on the other side.
Florida State’s pitching finally gave way to some runs and the Phillies won their first game of Spring ball, 6-1, over the Seminoles. It was a five-run 7th inning that did the Seminoles in.
Hector Luna, who replaced Ty Wigginton at third base in the 3rd inning, had himself a nice game, hitting a two-run homer in the 7th. He also walked in his other at-bat of the game.
Austin Hyatt pitched two perfect innings, striking out three of the six batters he faced. In fact, the Phillies pitching had a no-no going until the 6th inning when Joe Savery allowed a lead-off single to FSU’s Stephen McGee.
Savery was the first Phillies pitcher to be tested. He gave up a couple base hits but got out of the jam in the sixth inning, stranding two runners.
Jim Thome made his Spring debut in the bottom of the 6th, striking out on a full count. He received a huge ovation from the crowd, both on his way to the plate and back to the dugout. Thome also walked in his second at-bat.
Scott Podsednik broke the scoreless tied in the bottom of the sixth, bringing home Tyson Gillies to give the Phils a 1-0 lead. But the lead was quickly erased when J.C. Ramirez allowed FSU’s Jayce Boyd to score in the top of the 7th.
The Phillies took the lead right back in the bottom of the 7th. Pete Orr led off with a double and rookie catcher Erik Kratz drove him home with an RBI single, giving the Phils a 2-1 lead.
TTB 