The Phillies head to Port Charlotte to take on the Pat Burrell and the Tampa Bay Rays in the teams' second meeting this spring. Jamie Moyer is slated to get the start, with J.A. Happ entering the game after the elder on the pitching staff.
Moyer has had a terrific spring so far, starting two games and allowing one run in six innings of work. Moyer has also struck out seven batters.
Moyer figures to be placed in the middle of the starting rotation, and will provide a contrast in style to opponents compared to the likes of Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, and Joe Blanton. Expect Moyer to have a good game against the Rays.
Happ already leads the tam this spring in innings pitched (8.0) as well as strikeouts (eight) this spring. With the recent failures of Kyle Kendrick in the competition for the fifth starter spot, Happ has emerged as a leading candidate for the job.
Happ has walked one batter and allowed two runs this spring and has entered what seems like a two-man race for the fifth spot with Chan Ho Park.
On offense, Jason Donald has become a force to be reckoned with. After a slow start on offense this spring, Donald has raised his batting average to .379 and scored six runs.
He has shown more patience at the plate lately as well and now has a total of six walks. Throw in the fact that his defense has been pretty solid and all of a sudden, Donald has shaken off some of the fears that some (myself included) had about him not being able to perform on the highest level quite yet.
The Rays will be sending James Shields to the mound as the starter today and Troy Percival figures to see some significant time as well. Of course Phillies fans will be focused on Burrell again, who will play his second game against his old team.
Burrell hit a grand slam the other day against the Toronto Blue Jays, powering the Rays to a blowout victory, 11-4.
Park pitched in a scrimmage yesterday to get his regular work in and allowed one run on two hits in three innings, striking out three. Brett Myers pitched five terrific innings, striking out seven.
Brad Lidge and Chad Durbin also returned to action in the scrimmage. Both relievers allowed a solo home run, but it is tough to get upset about that sort of news considering it is their first semi-action of the spring. Neither figures to had been throwing close to full steam yet.
Game time today for the Phillies and Rays is 1:05 p.m. I had a live blog scheduled but I didn't think to check the college basketball schedule.
Sorry for you loyal live blog participants, but I am going to focus my energy on Villanova at 2 p.m., so no live blog today (and likely none until next week.)
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