Rollins Has 3-Run Homer; Phillies Beat Tigers 10-6
CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Jimmy Rollins hit a three-run homer in his second plate appearance of an eight-run third inning Friday, leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a 10-6 win over a Detroit Tigers split-squad.
Batting second in manager Ryne Sandberg's lineup, Rollins led off the third inning with his second walk of the game. The 35-year-old Rollins hit a career-low six home runs last year, including only two in 64 games after the All-Star break.
"He's still got his pop," Sandberg said. "But it's not something I'm stressing or looking at. I like to see gap-to-gap strike from him, using up the middle. Keep a good approach. A home run swing from him for me is just a reaction on a pitch."
Domonic Brown and Carlos Ruiz each had RBI singles for the Phillies while bench hopeful Darin Ruf had a pair of RBIs.
The Phillies entered the third inning trailing 3-1. Detroit rookie third baseman Alex Castellanos hit a bases-clearing double off Philadelphia starter Kyle Kendrick in the first inning.
Castellanos finished 2 for 3 with a run scored and four RBIs.
STARTING TIME
Phillies: Kendrick walked two of the first four batters he faced in his first start of the spring. Kendrick allowed three runs on two hits and three walks in two innings. He struck out three. "My command was off," Kendrick said. "I was trying to rush it a little bit. I don't think I'll walk two guys again this spring. That won't happen again."
Tigers: Left-hander Jose Alvarez stuck out Ryan Howard to finish off a scoreless first inning. Alvarez, who is likely to start the season at Triple-A, allowed one run on two hits while walking two and striking out two in two innings. He went 1-5 with a 5.82 ERA in 14 games (six starts) with Detroit last year.
WILD CHILD
Philadelphia right-hander Phillippe Aumont, acquired in the 2009 trade that sent Cliff Lee to Seattle, has been unable to stick on the major league roster because of his inability to throw strikes consistently. Aumont struck out 19 and walked 13 in 19 1-3 major league innings last season. He walked two in his spring debut on Wednesday. But Aumont pitched a 1-2-3 inning on Friday.
"I liked him throwing his fastball and sticking with it," Sandberg said. "He doesn't have to throw his breaking balls right now. Pound the zone with the fastball — that's when he's effective."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Phillies: Right-hander Jonathan Pettibone threw a bullpen session on Friday morning. It was the first time he pitched off a mound since having a cortisone shot on his ailing right shoulder. Pettibone, who entered camp competing for the fifth spot in the rotation was optimistic afterward and expects to return to his regular schedule. ... Righty Ethan Martin was scheduled to have an MRI on Friday. Martin left Thursday's game in Dunedin with shoulder discomfort after facing only four batters.
Tigers: Shortstop Jose Iglesias is expected to miss at least a week with shin splints. Iglesias was originally scheduled to start Friday's game in Clearwater, but was replaced by Herman Perez in the lineup.
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