Return of the Outman; Gose at it again

Sunday saw a number of HomeSiders in action in preseason games and we begin today in Arizona where Josh Outman made his return to the field with 2 scoreless innings for Oakland against the Cubs in a 15-7 win for the Athletics. He allowed 3 hits (NO walks) and recorded a "hold". Michael Taylor, looking to rebound from a sub-par 2010, was 0 for 3, beginning his quest to make the opening day roster. Outman's Lakewood teammate, Matt Maloney made the start for Cincinnati against the Indians and matched Outman with 2 scoreless innings of his own as the Reds topped Cleveland, 7-6. Maloney retired all 6 hitters he faced, striking out 2. He did not face Jason Donald, who had a double and scored a run in 2 at bats for the Indians.

Let's move now to Florida, where the Blue Jays shut out the Tigers, 1-0 in Lakeland. Anthony Gose got into the action for the Jays, and walked in his only at bat. It will surprise no one in Lakewood that he promptly stole second.....and third!! In Bradenton, the Pirates jumped all over the Rays 10-3. Jason Jaramillo hit a solo home run off Robert De Los Santos in his first at bat of the spring, starting a 4-run rally in the bottom of the 8th inning, and forcing the Rays to bring on R.J. Swindel to get the final out, which he did by retiring Steve Pearce.

Finally, in Clearwater, the Yankees avenged Saturday's loss with a 7-3 win over the Phillies. Ryan Howard had a single in 3 at bats, Domonic Brown had a day to forget, striking out in all 3 of his appearances, Carlos Ruiz was 0 for 2, with a walk, and Freddy Galvis popped up in only at bat. Justin De Fratus was the only HomeSider to pitch, and he was the losing pitcher, giving a up 2 runs on 1 hit, a home run by Curtis Granderson, in 2 innings of work.

16 more games on Monday's slate.......

Phils top Yanks with Claws' arms

The Phillies beat the Yankees on Saturday in Tampa by the score of 5-4, with 6 of the 9 innings pitched by former BlueClaws. Cole Hamels started and gave up a run on 2 hits in 2 innings, then Vance Worley came on and threw 2 shutout frames. Brian Schlitter was the least effective, giving up 2 runs on 2 hits (including a monster home run by Jorge Vazquez) in 1 inning of work, but was the winning pitcher when Philadelphia rallied for the 2 game winning runs in the top of the 8th. Mike Zagurski also threw a scoreless bottom of the 8th.

Greg Golson had 3 at bats for Yankees, was retired by both Worley and Zagurski and walked in his other appearance. Domonic Brown had a walk in 3 plate appearances for the Phils.

The teams will have a rematch Sunday in Clearwater, again on YES network.

Over in Port St. Lucie, Taylor Buchholz made his Mets' debut with 2 scoreless innings against the Braves in a 5-5 draw. Taylor struck out 3 (0 walks, 1 plunk) and allowed 2 hits.

Out in Arizona, Carlos Monasterios pitched 1 inning for the Dodgers against the world champion Giants and was soundly rapped around for 4 runs on 5 hits, picking up 1 strike out and suffering the loss in a 8-3 San Francisco victory.

There will be a total of 13 more games as the preseason heats up Sunday.

Game on!!

The Phillies defeated Florida State 8-0 in their first competition of the spring on Thursday. Drew Naylor got the start and tossed 2 innings (1 hit, 2 K) ; Mike Stutes struck out the side in his inning and Justin DeFratus and Scott Mathieson each struck out 2 in 1 inning of work.

Ryan Howard picked up a 2-RBI double, Domonic Brown was 1 for 2 and scored a run, Carlos Ruiz had an RBI hit, and Freddy Galvis picked up a run scoring hit. Tuffy Gosewisch also made an appearnce but did not get a chance to bat.

The Phillies will take on the Yankees on Saturday at 1:00. The game will be on YES and is scheduled for MLBN (but may be blacked out on that because of the local coverage).

welcome back, Brian Schlitter

The Yankees have put Brian Schlitter on waivers , where he was claimed on Tuesday by none other than....the Phillies!! So, after a stint with the Cubs and less than 6 weeks as NY property, Schlitter is back in the fold.