PBR - Back home at Citizens Bank Park, Freddy Galvis had the game-winning triple in the seventh inning and Joe Blanton allowed two runs and struck out three in 4 2/3 innings Monday night as the Phillies beat Pittsburgh, 4-3, in the opening game of the On Deck Series.

Phillies Pitching: Blanton has made his case for the fifth starting spot and looked good on the mound in Monday's no-decision, mixing in a sharp curve and changeup. He has a 4.58 ERA in five starts this spring ... Pat Misch pitched three innings in relief, giving up one run on a solo shot to Pirates' centerfielder Andrew McCutchen ... Kyle Kendrick picked up the save, pitching a scoreless ninth.

Phillies Offense: Galvis finished the game 2-for-3 with an RBI and Jimmy Rollins went 1-for-2 with two RBI and a double ... Shane Victorino had a stand-up triple in the second inning and finished 1-for-3 ... Juan Pierre scored two runs and stole a base in the leadoff spot.

Let's Review: After a great spring in which he solidified an Opening Day roster spot, Pierre seems he can fit in nicely at the top of the order against right-handed pitchers, especially if John Mayberry, Jr. takes his slumping bat with him into the regular season. Pierre's presence gives manager Charlie Manuel a lot of options. At the same time, Manuel can use Pierre or Victorino in the leadoff slot and slide Rollins down to the three-hole for the time being with two of the main sluggers on the mend. Rollins will have to improve on his weak .705 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) when the games start to count if the offense wants to generate runs.

On Deck: The Phillies will play another against the Pirates tomorrow night at Citizens Bank Park before Opening Day in Pittsburgh on Thursday. Cole Hamels is scheduled to pitch in the spring training finale.


1 Comments

Anonymous said…
Well spoken about what to do with Pierre in the line up , all around good article!
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