Phillies get first Grapefruit League win

Joe Blanton returned to the mound with a couple of clean innings, and the Phillies used a six-run sixth to beat the Yankees, 9-3, for their first Grapefruit League win.

Blanton, trying to work back from right elbow trouble that limited him to a career-low 11 games last year, gave up two hits and had a strikeout in his short outing.

The game also included another Domonic Brown adventure in the outfield. New York outfielder Brett Gardner led off the sixth inning with a sinking liner to left field that Brown dove for but did not come up with. Gardner wound up scoring on the play when the throw to the infield hit him as he was getting to third base, and he jogged home to tie the score, 2-2.

The Phillies responded in the bottom half of the inning, using three hits, four walks and a hit batter. Erik Kratz had a run-scoring single, and Hector Luna's double scored three runs.

Third baseman Placido Polanco had two hits in his first spring appearance, as did Jimmy Rollins and Jim Thome. Utility man Michael Martinez picked up his first spring home run with a liner to left field in the seventh inning that just cleared the fence.

The game also marked the return of right-handed pitcher Scott Elarton. The 6-foot-7 righty, who has not pitched in the major leagues since 2008, allowed no hits or walks in his two-inning appearance.

For the second time in their two trips to Bright House Field, the Yankees came without their starting infield of Mark Teixeira, Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.

Tuesday, the Phillies make the first of three spring training trips to Dunedin to face the Blue Jays. Lefty Cliff Lee is scheduled to make his first start.