Phillies' Bogusevic makes most of unexpected start, smacks two homers

LAKELAND, Fla. - Outfielder Brian Bogusevic was running sprints behind the right-field wall at Joker Marchant Stadium when the Phillies bullpen catcher informed him he was going to be a late addition to Saturday's starting lineup.

It was just 45 minutes before the first pitch of a 5-4 win over the Detroit Tigers, but Bogusevic said he had inclinations that Saturday would bring his first start of spring. Jeff Francoeur told Bogusevic during batting practice that he was feeling tight. Bench coach Larry Bowa later told him that he might be Francoeur's replacement in right field.

"It's not like it was way out of left field," said Bogusevic. ". . . I've been told on short notice in a plane before. I know how to get ready for a game."

He got ready in a hurry, and his bat did, too. Bogusevic hit home runs in his first two at-bats. He needed just two swings to become the team's spring training home run leader. It was his first multi-home run game since 2009, when he was with Houston's triple-A affiliate.

Bogusevic, 31, joined the Phillies in October and is one of four outfielders in camp as nonroster invitees.

"He's shown a good bat," manager Ryne Sandberg said. "The ball really comes off his bat well when he hits it well. He's shown a good arm in the outfield. He's an interesting guy."

Francoeur was scratched from the game with a strained left oblique. The team lists him as day-to-day. He felt a "little tweak" during batting practice and did not want to risk anything. Francoeur, also in camp as a nonroster invitee, is batting .278. He said he could miss a day or two.

"It was just precautionary," Sandberg said.

Starting pitcher Paul Clemens allowed his first runs of the spring. He struggled with his command, walking four batters and allowing three runs in 21/3 innings. Clemens filled in for Aaron Harang, who was scratched from the start on Friday with a sore back.

It was a good chance for Clemens to audition for a spot in the starting rotation. Harang and Cliff Lee are sidelined with injuries, possibly giving the Phillies two holes to fill.

"Today was a great opportunity that I let slip away," Clemens said. "That's tough to swallow."

Bogusevic has played in 299 major-league games. Houston drafted him in the first round in 2005 as a pitcher. The lefthander pitched for four seasons but never advanced past double A. The Astros converted him to the outfield, and he was in the big leagues two years later. He spent most of last season in the minors with Miami. A hamstring injury limited him a season before with the Chicago Cubs. He said his career has had ups and downs. That's life, Bogusevic said.

"Every spring, you have goals of making teams, but what you really have to do is get ready for a season," Bogusevic said. "That's what everyone has to do. If you're not trying to get ready for the season, you're not really doing yourself any favors."