Morgan And Franco: Difference Makers

GAME RECAP: Phillies Edge Braves 3-2

Suburban Atlanta resident Adam Morgan extended his hometown team's woes and helped the Phillies add to their surprising early season success as he completed seven strong innings in Tuesday night's 3-2 win over the Braves at Turner Field. Morgan scattered three hits while matching the career-high seven-inning total he had also posted in one of his three previous career starts against the Braves. The Phillies notched their third straight win with some assistance from Maikel Franco, who highlighted his three-hit performance with an eighth-inning home run. Each of the Phillies' last seven wins have been by one run. "You need luck," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. "You need to be good. I think we're good. I'm not saying we're the best. I'm just saying we're doing things right." Franco's home run soured the second straight eight-inning performance provided by Matt Wisler, who surrendered a season-high eight hits. Wisler was not as sharp as he was when he limited the Mets to one hit over eight scoreless last week, but he received little offensive assistance from the Braves, who inched closer with a ninth-inning home run from Freddie Freeman before falling to 1-16 at home this year. "Wisler pitched great," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "That's where we're at. He pitches eight innings and gives up three [runs]. On most nights, that gives you a [great] chance to win a ballgame."

PHILS PHACT:

• The Phillies' righty escaped a third-inning jam and found himself in another in the fourth with runners at first and third and no out. He traded a run for two outs when he induced Tyler Flowers to hit into a 6-4-3 double play, which tied the game 1-1. Morgan threw 90 pitches in seven strong innings.

NEXT GAME:

The Phillies will send Jerad Eickhoff to the mound on Wednesday when they continue their series with the Braves at 7:10 p.m. ET. Eickhoff will be looking for his first win since April 13.

PHILS PHACTS:

First Win Of The Season – After two sour outings, Phillies right-hander Adam Morgan came home to earn his first win of the season. The Marietta, Ga., resident threw seven strong innings, giving up just one run on four hits with four strikeouts and a walk in the Phillies' 3-2 win over the Braves Tuesday night. Morgan (1-0, 3.94 ERA) said he thought he did a better job of putting hitters away when he was ahead in the count. "I missed one with [Ender] Inciarte, but other than that, I feel like I corrected it a little bit," he said. Morgan struggled against the Braves in the past, entering Tuesday's game 0-3 with a 4.00 ERA against Atlanta. He tied a career-high by lasting seven innings, throwing 90 pitches. "We thought about letting him go back out there [to pitch the eighth inning], but his previous two outings were not real good," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said of Morgan, adding that he wanted him to go into his next start having accomplished seven solid innings. The lone run Morgan allowed came in the fourth inning with runners on first and third and nobody out. He induced Atlanta catcher Tyler Flowers into a 6-4-3 double play, trading two outs for a run that tied the game 1-1. Maikel Franco provided what would end up being a key insurance run with a solo homer to left -- his seventh of the season -- to lead off the eighth inning. "I knew this team was exciting in Spring Training," Morgan said. "Those guys, everybody's got a lot of energy."

Today In Phils History – In 1888 the Phillies purchased Ed Delahanty and, in 1895, the Phillies were shutout for the first time in 184 games. He was a big piece in the team scoring at least one run in every game dating back to August 17, 1893. Speaking of streaks, it was on this day in 1958 when Richie Ashburn’s consecutive games played streak ended at 473 games. 1910 saw the Phillies suspend two players, pitchers Earl Moore and George McQuillan, for failing to stay in shape. Today is also the day we said goodbye to Jimmie Wilson (1928) and Jim Kaat (1979) but also welcomed Harvey Haddix and Stu Miller in 1956. Speaking of debuts, both Jerry Martin (1949) and David Buchanan (1989) were born on this day. On this day Cy Williams hit 3 of a combined 10 homeruns in the game against the Cardinals. Not only did it move Williams into first place all time on the NL homerun list with 120, the game itself was historic setting records at the time for combined homeruns (10), total bases (79) and, for the cardinals, 70 hits during the four game series. While the feat had been accomplished many times previously, it was still a sight to see in 1980 as Pete Rose stole second, third, and home against his former Reds teammates. However, the moment that has become Phillies lore happened 10 years ago today when Aaron Rowand crashed into the outfield fence to preserve the 2 hit, 2-0 gem pitched by Gavin Floyd over the Mets. In the process, he broke several bones in his face and was subsequently placed on the DL.  

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies are currently 19-14 this season putting them on pace to beat most preseason predictions. The Phillies finished the spring exceeding most expectations compiling a record of 15-11-3 (18-11-3 if you include the exhibition games against Reading and the University of Tampa). All time, the Phillies are 47-50-0 on this day. I expect the Phillies to finish in the bottom half of the division but not last in the NL East by finishing the season with a 77-85 record. Let the rebuild begin!

Phils Rally Past Rays To Pick Up Nola

EXHIBITION GAME RECAP: Phillies Rail Rays 5-2

The Phillies scored four in the eighth to defeat the Rays, 5-2, for a Grapefruit League victory at Charlotte Sports Park on Tuesday. Aaron Nola started for the Phillies and hit leadoff batter Logan Forsythe on the arm. Forsythe left the game with a left elbow contusion and was replaced by Juniel Querecuto. Brad Miller followed with a single to left before Evan Longoria grounded into a double play, moving Querecuto to third. Logan Morrison then doubled down the left-field line to put the Rays up, 1-0. Rays starter Drew Smyly continued to look sharp in his third start of the spring, posting two scoreless innings before Cedric Hunter homered deep to right field on a 0-2 pitch leading off the third. "I mean, kudos to that guy," Smyly said. "It was up and away. Might have hit a righty. Definitely would have backed him off the plate. And that was the first fastball he'd seen, because I'd thrown him curveball-slider the first two pitches." Smyly allowed one run on three hits and a walk in 4 2/3 innings. Of the 66 pitches he threw, 45 were strikes. "I'm feeling great right now," Smyly said. "Confident, very comfortable. Just trying to get my work in and go out and have fun." Kevin Kiermaier hit his first home run of the spring when he homered off Nola in the fifth to give the Rays a 2-1 lead. Nola allowed two runs on six hits while striking out five in 4 2/3 innings. Cesar Hernandez doubled off Xavier Cedeno in the eighth and was driven home by Andres Blanco's two-bagger in the next at-bat to tie the game at 2. Blanco later scored on Darnell Sweeney's single to give the Phillies a 3-2 lead, and Philly added two more runs when Taylor Featherston grounded into a force out with the bases loaded and Sweeney scored on a wild pitch.

PHILS PHACTS:

• Right-hander Yoervis Medina had to leave Tuesday's 5-2 victory over the Rays in Port Charlotte, Fla., in the ninth inning. Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said Medina felt a "pop" in his right elbow. The Phillies acquired Medina from Pittsburgh for Jesse Biddle.

NEXT GAME:

The Phillies have a day off Wednesday, but they return to action Thursday afternoon against the Rays at Bright House Field. Vince Velasquez will make the start with Jerad Eickhoff scheduled to follow him. Velasquez is battling Brett Oberholtzer and Adam Morgan for the No. 5 job in the rotation. Eickhoff sees his first Grapefruit League action after being sidelined this spring with a broken right thumb. He is expected to make the rotation. Thursday's game will start at 1:05 p.m. ET on MLB.TV.

PHILS PHACTS:

Hernandez Back On The Mound – he Phillies plan to have David Hernandez pitching in the back of their bullpen this season, either as a closer or a setup man. He needs to get healthy first. Hernandez, who had not pitched since March 1 because of right triceps tendinitis, threw one inning Tuesday afternoon in a Minor League game at Carpenter Complex. He allowed three hits, three runs, one walk and struck out two against Triple-A players from Toronto. Hernandez threw 28 pitches (17 strikes), and his fastball hit 93 mph. Blue Jays prospect Rowdy Tellez, who is the No. 8 prospect in Toronto's system according to MLBPipeline.com, crushed a double off the top of the batter's eye in center field to score two runs. "It's probably the best I've felt the last two weeks," Hernandez said. "Obviously, the results weren't what I wanted, but I'm just trying to get in and get out healthy, and I feel really good. We'll see how I bounce back tomorrow." The Phillies signed Hernandez to a one-year, $3.9 million contract in the offseason, making him the only free agent they signed to a Major League contract. They are counting on him to stabilize the bullpen. Hernandez said there is enough time to make that happen. After Tuesday, there were 14 Grapefruit League games remaining before the Phillies head north to play three more exhibition games. Hernandez said he can pitch enough innings in those games to improve his command, though he said appearing in back-to-back games will be a truer test of his readiness. Hernandez said he still feels something in his elbow, but he said he is not concerned about it and that it is normal for somebody who has had Tommy John surgery. "It's been mostly just post-throwing," Hernandez said. "It kind of gets tight on me, but during pitching and playing catch, it doesn't really bother me. It's just calming down, it gets cold on you and it just gets stiff. It's just part of getting back. When I threw my first game, I felt it while I was throwing, so now I don't feel it while I'm throwing. It's a good sign."

More Roster Revisions – It is officially a three-man battle to be the Phillies' No. 5 starter. The Phillies on Tuesday morning optioned right-handers David Buchanan and Alec Asher to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, leaving right-hander Vince Velasquez and left-handers Brett Oberholtzer and Adam Morgan to compete for the job. Buchanan allowed five hits, two runs and two walks with two strikeouts in four Grapefruit League innings. He went 2-9 with a 6.99 ERA in 15 starts last season. Asher allowed 10 hits, seven runs and three walks with 14 strikeouts in eight innings. He went 0-6 with a 9.31 ERA in seven starts last season. They had a steep climb to move past Velasquez, Oberholtzer and Morgan on the depth chart. "It's part of the game," Buchanan said. "You never want it to happen. Obviously you want to spend your whole career in the big leagues. It's another opportunity to work and to continue to build on what I've been doing this whole spring. I'm excited where I'm at mentally. I know I'll get another shot there, and I'm excited for that. Because when it comes, I'm not coming back. So I'm good." Buchanan knows it is a near certainty that the Phillies will use more than five starters this season. Pitchers get injured. They struggle. There could be opportunities for him in the future. Of course, the runners-up in the No. 5 competition figure to get the first crack at it, but Buchanan and Asher could put themselves in line for a promotion down the road. Prospects Jake Thompson, Mark Appel and Zach Eflin also figure to get consideration later in the season, if they pitch well in the Minors. The Phillies are in no rush to promote them. "I'm pretty sure that's where the mental training I've been doing this offseason is helping me, because I'm not really concerned about that," Buchanan said about his place on the depth chart. "I'm not putting my energy into that, because I can't control that. "All I know is I've done a lot of training to get myself in the right state of mind to do what I can do and control what I can control. So that's what I'm focused on now. I'm going to go down there, continue to pitch, continue to do what I've been working on and continuing to get better. As soon as the phone rings, I'll be ready to go."

GM Impressed With Change – What a difference. The Phillies are halfway through their Spring Training schedule, and almost nothing has resembled what happened last year. After a 5-2 win over the Rays on Tuesday, they entered Wednesday's day off at 11-4-2, which is among the best records. They have hit 23 home runs, which is tied for second. They have legitimate competition for the final rotation job. The players are younger and more energetic. They have big-time prospects. "I know they're Spring Training games," Phillies general manager Matt Klentak said Tuesday morning at Bright House Field, "but I've been very encouraged by the way Pete [Mackanin] has guys playing. The energy, the effort and the outcomes. We've won a lot of games this spring, and that's been a really positive thing for us." Of course, Klentak knows Spring Training records do not predict the future. For example, the Cubs, Royals, Mets and Pirates entered Tuesday a combined 19-33. That said… "It's better to win than to lose," Klentak said. Here is a look at where the Phillies stand in three important areas as they enjoy Wednesday's day off: The rotation: Jeremy Hellickson, Aaron Nola, Charlie Morton and Jerad Eickhoff are locks, assuming everybody is healthy. The Phillies narrowed the fifth-starter competition Tuesday, when they optioned right-handers David Buchanan and Alec Asher to Triple-A. Right-hander Vince Velasquez and left-handers Brett Oberholtzer and Adam Morgan are competing for the fifth job. Oberholtzer (eight scoreless innings) is out of options. The Phillies like his versatility, so at the very least, he will be in the bullpen. The favorite entering camp seemed to be Velasquez, and that has not changed. He has the best stuff, and he is the jewel of the Ken Giles trade. But Velasquez (four earned runs in nine innings) will need to pitch well if Morgan (two earned runs in nine innings) and Oberholtzer continue to pitch like they have. "Competition tends to bring out the best in players," Klentak said. "They've all thrown the ball really well, and they're all different. They have different track records, different strengths and different weaknesses. They're giving us a lot to think about, and that's a really positive thing." One thing is certain: The Phillies should be better prepared to handle attrition to their rotation than last season. The bullpen: There are jobs to be won. David Hernandez has one, considering the Phillies signed him to a one-year, $3.9 million contract. He pitched Tuesday for the first time since March 1 because of triceps tendinitis. If Hernandez is healthy and ready, the other locks look like right-hander Jeanmar Gomez and Oberholtzer (unless he wins the No. 5 job). Non-roster invitees Edward Mujica (four scoreless innings) and Andrew Bailey (four scoreless innings) have impressed in camp. They have solid lines on jobs. The fact Mujica has a March 26 out clause will be a factor in making the team or not. Bailey has a May 1 out clause, which is less of a factor. Ernesto Frieri has a March 31 out clause, but he has struggled (six runs in 4 2/3 innings). The Phillies are expected to take at least one more left-hander if Oberholtzer is in the 'pen (and two if he is not). Rule 5 Draft pick Daniel Stumpf allowed one run in six innings before allowing three in the eighth inning Monday in Sarasota, Fla. Bobby LaFromboise has pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings, and non-roster invitee James Russell has pitched three scoreless innings. Elvis Araujo (two runs in four innings) has options, which figures to play a factor when matched up against somebody like Stumpf. Right-hander Dalier Hinojosa (five scoreless innings) has pitched well. "The players have given us a lot to consider," Klentak said. "There are a lot of players that have stepped up and have thrown the ball well. Pete has been exposing a bunch of them to multiple innings to see who has the ability to carry the load that way, and I like the options we've seen from the left side." The outfield: Do not be stunned if the Phillies acquire an outfielder before camp breaks. Aaron Altherr will miss four to six months following left wrist surgery. Cody Asche remains sidelined with a strained right oblique. He might not be ready by Opening Day. That leaves Odubel Herrera, Peter Bourjos and Rule 5 Draft pick Tyler Goeddel, who has impressed the GM, as the likely starters. Darnell Sweeney and non-roster invitees David Lough and Cedric Hunter, who homered against the Rays on Tuesday, are competing for the fourth and fifth jobs. "Obviously, we'll have to make some decisions on the Opening Day roster and when Cody comes back," Klentak said. "But as far as the depth, one of the big things we're focused on is making sure we run a strong defensive club out there to help with our run prevention and to help as we introduce young pitchers to the big leagues. I want to be mindful of that. "Even in Lough and Hunter and Goeddel, we've got players who can go out there and catch the ball. You can never have enough depth at any position, and certainly with Altherr out and Asche being banged up, that's tested our depth early in spring. The good news is that it was tested early, so hopefully when we get into the season, we'll be healthy and we'll be OK."

Today In Phils History - Let's keep it simple today. Happy birthday to 2 players born exactly 70 years apart, Lloyd Waner (1906) and Abraham Nunez (1976). 

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies have begun the spring with an 11-4-2 record (12-4-2 if you include the exhibition game against the University of Tampa). With the Phillies having finished the 2015 season with a spectacularly awful record of 63-99 it will be interesting to see what kind of team new President Andy MacPhail and GM Matt Klentak put on the field. At the same time I am definitely looking forward to the games against Boston with former GM Ruben Amaro on the field. Given the departures, lingering contracts, a history of injuries, bipolar performances, and unproven talent, it should, at the very least, be an interesting season for the Phillies. Who knows, maybe they can avoid 100 losses... hopefully by more than one game!

Phillies Rough Up Former Teammate

EXHIBITION GAME RECAP: Philadelphia Assaults Atlanta 9-2

Ryan Howard recorded one of the three doubles his former Philadelphia teammate Kyle Kendrick surrendered during a three-run first inning that propelled the Phillies to a 9-2 win over the Braves on Friday afternoon at ESPN's Wide World of Sports complex. Kendrick's bid to earn a roster spot with Atlanta was further weakened as he retired just five of the 16 batters he faced before exiting with two outs in Philadelphia's four-run second inning. The former Phillies pitcher surrendered nine hits, including a pair of doubles recorded by Darin Ruf. Phillies manager Pete Mackanin was impressed with what he saw from Howard, who returned to the lineup after battling the flu and served as the club's designated hitter. "I told him, 'You should not take batting practice all year,'" said Mackanin. "He hadn't had an at-bat in a week, and that's as good as he's looked in awhile. So I'm real happy about that. "I'd like to play him tomorrow at first base to try to catch up. He swung the bat real well." Phillies leadoff hitter Peter Bourjos reached safely in each of the three plate appearances he recorded through the first three innings. Bourjos began the game with a double and then advanced to third base on the first of the three singles recorded by Cesar Hernandez. Emmanuel Burriss also notched a three-hit game for Philadelphia. Kendrick came to Spring Training hoping to earn a spot in Atlanta's starting rotation. But his hopes have diminished as he has allowed 14 hits and nine earned runs over 3 2/3 innings in his first two starts. Phillies starter David Buchanan looked like he might also be in for a long day when he loaded the bases before he recorded his first out. Buchanan limited his first-inning damage to two runs, as A.J. Pierzynski and Dian Toscano notched RBIs. Buchanan stranded two runners when he completed a scoreless second inning with a strikeout of Freddie Freeman. "I was just a little erratic today," said Buchanan. "I've just got to keep the ball down. I've been throwing well in my bullpen [sessions] and the games I've been in this spring, so I'm going to build on that." After swinging and missing the final pitch he saw from Buchanan, Freeman exited because of discomfort around his right hand and wrist. The veteran first baseman was either sidelined or burdened by right wrist discomfort for most of last season's final four months.

PHILS PHACTS:

• Jim Kaat, who won 283 games during his 25-year career, started his stint as a guest instructor on Friday. Kaat pitched four years with the Phillies from 1976 to 1979.
• Right-hander Kyle Kendrick, who started his big league career by going 74-68 for the Phillies in eight seasons, started for the Braves Friday and faced his former team for the first time. "I'm over it," said Kendrick, who signed a Minor League contract with Atlanta. "Besides, outside of (Ryan Howard), I really don't know any of those guys." With the Rockies last season, his starts didn't line up with the games against the Phils.

NEXT GAME:

Right-hander Vince Velasquez, who was acquired from the Astros as part of the Ken Giles trade over the winter, will continue his quest to nail down a spot in the starting rotation when he faces the Blue Jays on Saturday at Bright House Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET, and the game will air on MLB.TV. It will be the third Grapefruit League appearance, and second start, for the 23-year-old who made his big league debut with the Astros last season.

PHILS PHACTS:

Making Up For Lost Time – Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said Ryan Howard, who returned to the lineup Friday in a 9-2 win over a split-squad Braves club after missing a week of Grapefruit League action, will have a heavier-than-normal workload during the final three weeks of Spring Training to make up for the time he's missed. "I told him, 'You should not take batting practice all year,'" said Mackanin. "He hadn't had an at-bat in a week, and that's as good as he's looked in awhile. So I'm real happy about that. "I'd like to play him tomorrow at first base to try to catch up. He swung the bat real well." Howard started at designated hitter against the Braves at Champion Stadium and had a two-run double off Braves starter Kyle Kendrick in the first. In the second, Howard lined out to right and in the seventh he flied out to the base of the wall in left-center. "We've got to get him as many at-bats as we can," said Mackanin. "And if and when Cody Asche is able to come back [from a strained oblique] in the spring, we've got to try to do the same thing with him. It remains to be seen when he'll be back. But Howie's here and we're just going to run him out there." Howard had been sidelined with the flu bug that has been making the rounds of the Phillies' clubhouse. When Howard was feeling better, he was interviewed by Major League Baseball regarding an Al Jazeera documentary which claimed that he -- along with Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and others -- had used performance-enhancing substances. Howard has vigorously denied the allegation and is suing Al Jazeera. MLB's involvement does not mean there's a presumption of guilt. All allegations are routinely investigated. But playing time is more important than usual for Howard this spring. Mackanin has suggested that the 2006 National League Most Valuable Player needs to prove he can hit left-handers this spring or he might find himself in a platoon at first base with Darin Ruf. That's one reason Howard made the hour-and-a-half trek to Disney on Friday, a bus trip established veterans are often allowed to skip. Instead, Howard volunteered to be on the travel squad. "I have to get him back in the swing of things," said Mackanin. "So I'm going to play him as much as I can to get him ready. I'm going to try to get him as many at-bats as I can, right or left. He just needs to get at-bats."

Strong Bullpen Candidates – Left-hander Bobby LaFromboise was twice claimed off waivers during the offseason. After the Phillies took him in January, he was designated for assignment and re-signed to a Minor League contract so he could be taken off the big league roster. Despite that inauspicious start, LaFromboise has made a strong impression this spring. He pitched two scoreless innings in Friday's 9-2 win over the Braves, walking one and striking out three. After six Grapefruit League innings, he still hasn't allowed a hit. Two other lefties, Edward Mujica and Elvis Aruajo, also pitched scoreless innings Friday. "It was nice to see LaFromboise, [James] Russell and Araujo, all the three lefties who are in contention for a bullpen job, it was good to see those guys do well," said manager Pete Mackanin. Russell showed poise in the fifth inning when Barrett Kleinknecht ripped a line drive back up the middle that knocked his glove off. But Russell was able to retrieve the ball and throw Kleinknecht out at first. Left-hander Daniel Stumpf, who is a Rule 5 Draft pick, has given up just one run in five innings. Mackanin said no decision has been made on how many bullpen lefties the Phillies might break camp with. "It depends on how we feel about all of them," said Mackanin. "There's nothing wrong with having three of them in the bullpen, but it depends on everybody else, I guess. "I think it's interesting to note that this was the year everybody was told this was the spring that would be full of competition unlike any spring we've ever had here before. Guys like [first baseman Darin] Ruf, he's really doing well. [Catcher Cameron] Rupp is doing well. [Catcher Carlos Ruiz] is gung-ho all the time. You can tell he's battling. Everyone seems to be battling, and it's bringing out the best in the guys." The 29-year-old LaFromboise has been one of the most pleasant surprises in camp, and part of the reason might be a change pitching coach Bob McClure suggested after seeing him thrown only once or twice. "He moved me over to the third-base side [of the rubber] and it's kind of helped me with my fastball coming in," LaFromboise explained. "That's a big part of it. He said, 'Hey, try this.' So I went over, tried it and liked it. When I'm throwing from the first-base side, I'm really cut off. It's hard for me to get inside to a righty. From the third-base side, it's almost like that's my plane." At the University of New Mexico, LaFromboise threw from the third-base side. The Mariners moved him over after he signed with them in 2008. LaFromboise doesn't throw hard, but he has a deceptive delivery. So far, he's more than holding his own in the bullpen sweepstakes. "I like that funk he offers," Mackanin said.

Close Up On Spring Training – Tim Stoeckle rode on the Phillies' team bus to Friday's game at Champion Stadium, even though his name didn't appear on the travel roster. He was in the dugout during a 9-2 win over the Braves, but manager Pete Mackanin never considered sending him up to pinch-hit or asking him to get loose in the bullpen. Stoeckle, 24, is the Phillies' social media representative, and he was chronicling the team as part of Snapchat Day across the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues. Stoeckle's first post went up before the bus pulled away from Bright House Field. He had shots of going across the Courtney Campbell Causeway, arriving at Disney and players getting ready in the clubhouse. There were brief interviews with Cameron Rupp and Mackanin. Stoeckle also spent some time in the broadcast booth with Scott Franzke and Larry Andersen. "It's really cool. It's finding out what it's like to be in the big leagues," Stoeckle said. "I love it. It's great." It's also great for baseball. "It gives the fans some access they don't normally get and they can't really get anywhere else," Stoeckle pointed out. "Snapchat is a social media platform that allows you to send photos and videos in real time. And you can see it as it's happening. So, for example, when somebody on the Phillies scored a run and came into the dugout, everyone was giving him high fives. And there's a video of that up close that fans get to see." Stoeckle started doing in-game tweets for the Phillies after the All-Star break last year as an MLB Advanced Media employee. The Phillies hired him to cover all social media in November. What if Mackanin had told him to grab a bat? "I was ready," Stoeckle said with a grin. "I did some stretching before the game."

Today In Phils History - There are good and bad moments to remember this day. 1980 was a great year for another reason as Chuck Klein was finally elected to the Hall of Fame. Unforetunately, 5 years ago today, David Montgomery announced that Reuben Amaro, Jr. had signed a 4-year contract extension to remain the Phillies' GM. In addition to the birthdays of some early Phillies including Phil Knell (1865), Billy Hulen (1870), George McAvoy (1884), and Charlie Johnson (1885) it is also the birthday of some more modern great Phillies including Johnny Callison (1939) and Dale Murphy (1956). 

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies have begun the spring with an 8-3-2 record (9-3-2 if you include the exhibition game against the University of Tampa). With the Phillies having finished the 2015 season with a spectacularly awful record of 63-99 it will be interesting to see what kind of team new President Andy MacPhail and GM Matt Klentak put on the field. At the same time I am definitely looking forward to the games against Boston with former GM Ruben Amaro on the field. Given the departures, lingering contracts, a history of injuries, bipolar performances, and unproven talent, it should, at the very least, be an interesting season for the Phillies. Who knows, maybe they can avoid 100 losses... hopefully by more than one game!

Phillies Continue To Surprise This Spring

EXHIBITION GAME RECAP: Phillies Tie Tigers 6-6

Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco looks ready for Opening Day. He hit a pair of home runs Thursday afternoon in a 6-6 tie with the Tigers in a Grapefruit League game at Bright House Field. The Phillies took a one-run lead into the ninth, but Ernesto Frieri allowed a pair of runs, one on a Thomas Field homer. Phils second baseman Ryan Jackson tied the game with a solo homer of his own off Kevin Ziomek to open the bottom of the ninth. Franco hit a two-run homer in the first inning against Jordan Zimmermann and another two-run shot off the Tigers righty in the fourth. "They have a lot of young guys on that team and a lot of free swingers," said Zimmermann. "It's a little more difficult to set them up when you know they're going to be hacking." Franco has four home runs this spring. "A little bit," Franco said, asked if he feels locked in offensively. Zimmermann allowed five hits, four runs and one walk and struck out three in 3 2/3 innings. Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola allowed four hits, two runs and one walk in 2 2/3 innings. He struck out four. Nola gave up a two-run home run to Tigers catcher James McCann in the third inning. "The more at-bats you get, the more locked in you feel," McCann said. "The big thing is just seeing pitches and seeing different pitchers." Tyler Collins singled to score a run in the fourth inning against Phillies left-hander Daniel Stumpf to give the Tigers a 3-2 lead. After Franco's second homer, the Tigers tied the game in the fifth when Nate Schierholtz scored, despite being caught in a rundown at third base. Darnell Sweeney put the Phils ahead in the sixth when he scored from second on an Angelys Nina single and a Tigers error.

PHILS PHACTS:

• Right-hander Ernesto Frieri allowed two runs, including a go-ahead home run, in the ninth inning to blow the save. Frieri is in camp as a non-roster invitee and as a candidate to close. He has a 9.82 ERA (four earned runs in 3 2/3 innings) in three appearances. "His velocity is down from what he used to be," Mackanin said. "We haven't ruled him out. We've all seen pitchers struggle. Even good pitchers. There is time left to make decisions."
• Non-roster invitee Ryan Jackson hit a game-tying homer in the bottom of the ninth.
• The Phillies botched a rundown at third base, allowing Nate Schierholtz to score in the fifth. Third baseman Angelys Nina's throw to the plate was high. "I wasn't really happy about that," Mackanin said. "Back to the drawing board. We'll keep working on it."

NEXT GAME:

Phillies right-hander David Buchanan will start Friday afternoon against the Braves in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., at 1:05 p.m. ET. Right-hander Charlie Morton had been scheduled to start, but he is out with the flu. The bug scratched Jeremy Hellickson from his scheduled start Wednesday. Listen to the game live on an exclusive webcast.

PHILS PHACTS:

Still Some Work To Do – Aaron Nola prides himself on his tremendous control throwing a baseball. He isn't there yet. He allowed four hits, two runs, one walk and one wind-aided home run in 2 2/3 innings Thursday in a 6-6 tie with the Tigers in a Grapefruit League game at Bright House Field. He threw 65 pitches (45 strikes). He struck out four. "I feel like I should be better than I was making some pitches that I did today," Nola said. "But I'm going to continue to work in my throwing sessions and my side session as camp goes on." Nola has allowed eight hits, six runs and two walks with four strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings in two Spring Training starts. "I feel like there's still a lot of work that needs to be done," he said. "I'm just going to try to continue to work on all my pitches, the running game and pretty much all overall aspects of my pitching. Throwing all three of my pitches for quality strikes when I need to. The biggest thing is getting ahead of most guys. That's what I want to be better at than I was today and my last outing." "He didn't have his command," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. "He was all over the place. Just a matter of his command. His stuff was there. He just didn't make good pitches." Nola is expected to start Opening Day or the second game of the season, which would put him in line to pitch the homer opener on April 11 against the Padres at Citizens Bank Park.

Ready For Opening Day – Maikel Franco has looked more than capable this spring of following up his successful rookie season with another strong performance. Franco hit a pair of home runs Thursday. He is hitting .350 (7-for-20) with four home runs and 10 RBIs in eight games. "He looks so much different than he has in past springs," Mackanin said. "I think he feels like he's in for a big year, and I'm hoping he is. I'm going to have to start telling guys, 'Look, if you hit one home run you're going to have to hit two.' That seems to be the standard." Mackanin is referring to Darin Ruf and Cameron Rupp, who each hit two home runs in a split-squad on Wednesday.

Working His Way Back – Right-hander Jerad Eickhoff has not appeared in a game this spring because of a fractured right thumb, which he suffered last month. But he is scheduled to pitch three innings Saturday in a Minor League game at Carpenter Complex. The Phillies said they expect Eickhoff to be ready to join the rotation by Opening Day. "We're being optimistic about that," Mackanin said. "He has no pain. He has no problems. He's throwing his curveball, slider and changeup in his sides and live BP, so as long as he's 100 percent healthy … it's just a matter of getting him stretched out enough. I think we can do it."

Another Day, Another Injury – The Phillies are a little thin in the outfield these days. Aaron Altherr will miss four to six months following surgery Wednesday to repair a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist. But Cody Asche also has been sidelined. A MRI on Wednesday confirmed he has a Grade 1 strained right oblique. The Phillies said Asche remains day to day. "Well, there is no timetable [for his return]," manager Pete Mackanin said. "I'm hoping tomorrow he feels better. I don't know. Those things are funny. I've had an oblique strain before, and it's one of those things that it's hard to get rid of. Rest is probably the best thing. It's a day-to-day thing." Altherr and Asche were two of the Phils' five outfielders projected to make the Opening Day roster. The others were Odubel Herrera, Peter Bourjos and Rule 5 Draft pick Tyler Goeddel, who are healthy. The only other outfielders in camp with a chance to make the team are David Lough, Darnell Sweeney and Cedric Hunter. Top prospects Nick Williams and Roman Quinn will open the season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Infielders like Emmanuel Burriss and Ryan Jackson have some outfield experience. Mackanin said he has no plans to use first basemen Darin Ruf or Brock Stassi in the outfield. "It's not too serious, but at the same time, it's enough to cause some precaution," Asche said. "I just basically have to go on how I feel. If I feel good, I can keep progressing."

A Little More Seasoning Needed – It was no coincidence that the Phillies sent righties Jake Thompson, Mark Appel and Zach Eflin to Minor League camp on Thursday. They expect big things from the trio. "I think deep down, we all kind of see that and think about that," Appel said about their collective futures. "The three of us have played against each other at different levels of the Minor Leagues and now we're all on the same team, and we see each other's talent and we get excited about it." These were the Phillies' first roster transactions of spring -- not because the pitchers didn't meet expectations, but because they are such a critical part of the club's future. Philadelphia needs them to get ready for the Triple-A season, which means building up arm strength by increasing their workload as spring progresses. That would not have happened in Phillies camp. Thompson, Appel and Eflin are the No. 2, No. 4 and No. 13 prospects in the organization, according to MLBPipeline.com. Thompson and Appel are the No. 55 and No. 70 prospects in baseball. The trio will open the season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, forming one of the most talented rotations in the Minor Leagues. The Phillies want them to begin their preparations for that season. What happens after that is up to them. "Hopefully, we'll all get up [to the Majors] at the same time and play for 10 years," Thompson said. "That's how it's supposed to work. Obviously, things happen and people pan out and people don't. But I think the Phillies are definitely building their team that way, not just with pitchers, but with some of the young position players, too. I think that's the idea." Thompson allowed eight hits and one unearned run in five innings in his Grapefruit League appearances. Appel allowed two hits and two runs (one unearned) in four innings. Eflin allowed five hits and two runs (one earned) in five innings. "The main goal was just to open up myself and meet as many people as I can, just learn as much as I can," Eflin said. "I learned an incredible amount, mostly pitching stuff, but also how to handle yourself off the field and in the clubhouse." They all pitched on Wednesday in a split-squad game against the Twins in Fort Myers. Phils manager Pete Mackanin made the trip to get one last look at the pitchers who could be in the rotation before the end of the season. "I think yesterday was really good for me, Jake and Zach," Appel said. "I think the three of us are going to have a lot of fun over there. We're going to get ready for the season, and we're all going to work hard and get back here soon. So I think it's a really good place to be right now. We're all working hard. Spring Training is exactly that -- Spring Training. Getting your body right for the season. If they knew that I wasn't going to start on the big league club this year, then it's a great thing for us to go over there. Instead of getting one or two innings every week, go ahead and get three to five, get extended and get ready for the season." The Phillies believe Thompson is the most well-rounded pitcher of the group and might be the closest to the big leagues. Appel probably has the best stuff. Eflin's stuff is arguably as good as Appel's, but the Phils want him to finish batters on a more consistent basis. "It's going to be fun for us to get on a little rhythm over there," Thompson said. "Hopefully we go back-to-back-to-back [in the regular season]. That would be cool to see. But, yeah, just continuing to be around each other and feeding off each other's successes. Just the internal competition should be really good." Thompson and Eflin live nearby in Clearwater, Fla., just a three-minute walk away from one another, so they see each other regularly. But it seems clear that the trio gets along well. Like Thompson said, they expect friendly competition in Triple-A. And maybe -- just maybe -- they will all pan out to become the core of the Phillies' rotation for years. "It would be incredible if that happened," Eflin said. "I know we have a lot of work to do. But it would be a lot of fun."

Called Into The Commissioner’s Office – Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard has not played in a Grapefruit League game since Friday. Howard missed the first few days because of the flu, which has been running through Phillies camp this spring, but the team said he missed Thursday's game against the Tigers at Bright House Field because of personal reasons. Sources said Howard met with MLB investigators about the Al Jazeera America report from late December that linked him to performance-enhancing substances. MLB said at the time that it would investigate the claims, which Howard has vehemently denied. In fact, Howard filed a defamation lawsuit in early January against the network, which announced a short time later that it will shut down at the end of April. "I haven't spoken to anybody as of yet," Howard said last month. "I know, I guess there's an investigation underway, so I'm sure that's probably going to take place." Howard also said last month he has no idea why his name is one of the names that appeared in the report. "I haven't the faintest idea," he said. "I really can't tell you. I really don't know." Howard is expected to be back in camp Friday.

Today In Phils History - The year before the team acquired Tom Hilgendorf from Cleveland in 1975, a Phillies legend was born... Happy Birthday Bobby Abreu! I should also mention that a happy birthday is in order for Art Ruble (1903), Jack Spring (1933), and Phil Bradley (1959). 

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies have begun the spring with a 7-3-2 record (8-3-2 if you include the exhibition game against the University of Tampa). With the Phillies having finished the 2015 season with a spectacularly awful record of 63-99 it will be interesting to see what kind of team new President Andy MacPhail and GM Matt Klentak put on the field. At the same time I am definitely looking forward to the games against Boston with former GM Ruben Amaro on the field. Given the departures, lingering contracts, a history of injuries, bipolar performances, and unproven talent, it should, at the very least, be an interesting season for the Phillies. Who knows, maybe they can avoid 100 losses... hopefully by more than one game!