Harper, Stott power Phillies to a 10-5 win over Jays
The ball was flying out of TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida this afternoon as the Phillies and Jays combined for eight home runs. It was the first real glimpse of the overwhelming power the Phillies are expected to unleash upon the National League this season.
The Phillies pitching was much better after allowing 11 walks against the Tigers on Saturday afternoon. Cam Bedrosian allowed two free passes in the 6th inning that led to a run.
Otherwise, the Phillies only granted three walks all day. Considering they allowed a hit in every inning of the game, control was a big reason the Phillies only allowed 5 runs.
I really enjoyed the Blue Jays broadcast today from SportsNet Ontario and former Phillies minor leaguer Buck Martinez. Martinez played in the league for almost two decades and blends his expansive knowledge of the game with a silky play-by-play voice. The Blue Jays have by far the best broadcast I have seen out of the Grapefruit League this spring.
Spring Training: Phillies @ Blue Jays
- Phillies Win 10-5
- Winning Pitcher Bailey Falter
- Losing Pitcher Yusei Kikuchi
Nick Castellanos made his debut in a Phillies uniform finishing the day 1-2 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K. Castellanos uses an enormous bat and looks even more imposing at the plate than I can remember.
Bryce Harper crushed this first pitch home run in the top of the 1st. This was Harper’s first dinger of the spring, but it wouldn’t be the last of his day.
Vlad Guerrero Jr tied it up 1-1 with this monster bomb off Bailey Falter, who looks like the clear front-runner to be the 6th starter on Opening Day.
Falter didn’t look especially sharp today with a final line of 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K but managed to limit the damage and settle down after allowing base runners in the 2nd and 3rd inning.
Bryce Harper put the Phillies up 3-1 with his second HR of the day off a Yusei Kikuchi curveball.
Harper had a fine day 3-4, 3R, 3 RBI, 1K in leading the way for the Phils.
Bryson Stott continues to impress this spring by logging quality at-bats like this bases loaded walk to put the Phillies up 4-1. Stott entered the day batting .400 albeit in a small sample size.
Bryson Stott blasted a two-run HR in the 3rd inning to put the Phillies up 7-1.
Stott finished the day 1-2, 1 H, 3 RBI, 2 BB
Soon discussion will begin regarding whether Stott can play third base. The Phillies do not have a great track record of playing young players out of position.
For example, the stress of playing the hot corner clearly took a toll on Alec Bohm and helped fuel his sophomore slump. I would much rather let Stott play his natural position at SS and let a veteran like Didi play third.
Whatever Joe Girardi and Dave Dombrowski decide, having Stott ready to contribute early on in 2022 is an enormous plus for the team.
Didi Gregorius blasted a home run for the second consecutive game to put the Phillies up 4-1. Didi has looked good at the plate and defensively at short so far this spring. If Bryson Stott does make the Opening Day squad, it wont be to replace Gregorius.
Mickey Moniak hit his second HR in as many days to put the Phillies up 9-2. In a later at bat, Moniak just missed a second round trip by flying out to the warning track. Yesterday, I briefly touched on the unwarranted hate being directed at Moniak. I apologize if Mickey isn’t living up to your lofty expectations of a #1 overall pick, as he continues to show he can hit major league pitching.
Like with almost all young players, it’s all about developing consistency and refining your approach at the plate. Moniak WILL be a contributor to this team in the future.
The rest of the ballgame was rather boring and I have nothing of note to report. Actually there was a guy in the stands yelling some interesting stuff about last names and Vladimir Putin. Buck Martinez did a great job to work around it..
Overall it was a good day for the Phillies after looking sloppy earlier in the weekend.
Up Next for the Phillies
The Phillies take on the Orioles in Clearwater Monday at 1:05 p.m.
I personally confirmed this time that NBCSP will cary the game.
[…] off the bench Sunday, Moniak hit a home run in his third straight game for the Phillies. Over his last four appearances […]