The Phils pushed across six runs in the top of the eighth to take an 8-5 lead, but the Tigers answered with three in the bottom half of the frame to even the contest.
Nick Pivetta, who is battling for a spot in the starting rotation, started the contest surrendering three runs on five hits over 1 2/3 innings. He struck out one. The numbers don't indicate it, but he showed a compact delivery and showcased a new changeup - both things he's planning on working on this spring to make himself a better pitcher.
“You can really build off that,” Phillies manager Joe Girardi told reporters afterward of Pivetta's outing. “He didn’t walk people. He was ahead in the count. You start doing that, and your location gets better as you get more innings under your belt, you’ve got something.”
Mickey Moniak hit an RBI-double in the eighth inning for the Phils. He finished 1-for-2 with a run scored.
Adam Hasley finished 0-for-2 on the day but stole a base and scored a run.
The Phillies host the Pirates on Sunday in their Grapefruit League home opener at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, Fla. Aaron Nola is expected to start the contest.
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