Live Game Blog! Phillies at Rays!
The Phillies wrap up an exciting week of spring exhibitions game a 2008 World Series rematch with the Tampa Bay Rays in Grapefruit League action on Sunday. Kevin Slowey is getting the start.
2:49 p.m.: And there it is! Four runs! Brian Bogusevic knocks in the third run of the inning. To recap the 2014 season: the Phillies scored 3 runs or less in 81 of their 162 games (easy math: that computes to half of their games). Also, they scored 4 runs or less in 105 of their 162 games (or 65 percent of their games).
2:48 p.m.: Break 'em up! Another run scores as Odubel (pronounced "oh DOO bull") Herrera grounds into a fielder's choice. It's 3-0. The Phillies entered Sunday having scored more than 3 runs just once in their previous 6 exhbition games.
2:46 p.m.: With the bases loaded, Ben Revere is hit by a Jeff Belveau pitch. The Phillies have doubled their offensive output. It's 2-0.
2:43 p.m.: Andres Blanco pinch running for Freddy Galvis. But it's spring training, this kind of thing happens. It's exciting stuff.
2:13 p.m.: Antonio Basardo-doppelganger Joely Rodriguez snares a line drive hit right back to the mound. Rodriguez came to the Phillies in the trade that sent Bastardo to Pittsburgh. He's thrown two scoreless. He hasn't allowed a run in 4 spring innings so far.
2:11 p.m.: Domonic Brown does a nice job going back toward the wall in right to make a catch on a Logan Forsythe fly ball. Brown probably won't ever look natural anywhere on the field, but perhaps he's more comfortable in right. Still 1-0 Phillies in the 5th inning.
1:50: Three scoreless innings from Kevin Slowey. Ruben Amaro Jr. before the game: "He's been fine. Veteran guy. Not going to knock your socks off with his stuff but he's got pitchability. He's got some moxie. We'll see."
1:25 p.m.: RBI single to right by nine-hole hitter Freddy Galvis. Cody Asche, who hit a one-out double to right to begin inning, scores. The Phillies have an actual lead in a Grapefruit Leage game. It's 1-0.
1:18 p.m.: Odubel Herrera with a nice over-the-shoulder grab on a ball to shallow right. He's playing second base today after playing center mostly in first week. I think this guy is Michael Martinez, except useful on a baseball team.
1:14 p.m.: Whoa, whoa, whoa. Easy people. Don't light up all my Twitter mentions all at once. (Breaking: there haven't been any Twitter mentions. Thanks for staying tuned to the live blog!)
1:04 p.m.: It's 76 degrees. The first pitch to Ben Revere from Chris Archer is a strike. Kevin Slowey is starting for the Phillies. On a scale of 1-10, how excited are you for this game?? Let me know on Twitter. I don't read comments sections.
12:50 p.m.: Cal Ripken Jr. throws out the first pitch. It's a strike. I think we could field a pretty good infield here in Port Charlotte with Ripken at short, Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg at second, Phillies guest hitting instructor Mike Schmidt at third and.... Allan Dykstra at first? I got nothing for first base. Who's on first? Exactly.