Howard, Ibanez Both Homer In Phils' 13-6 Win
SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) -- Ryan Howard, Raul Ibanez and Philadelphia's hitters looked to be in midseason form.
Cliff Lee, not quite.
Lee allowed three runs and five hits in three innings Friday in the Phillies' 13-6 win over the Baltimore Orioles.
Lee, who signed a five-year, $120 million contract with the Phillies in the offseason, has allowed five runs in nine innings. In his previous start, he shut out Tampa Bay on two hits in four innings.
The results obviously weren't as good, but — whatever," a relaxed Lee said.
"I feel fine. I felt like I could have kept going easily, but you want to build up to where you need to be and be smart," Lee said.
The Phillies hit four homers, including two-run shots by Howard and Ibanez.
Lee and Baltimore starter Jeremy Guthrie were both victimized by a wind blowing at 26 mph, and Phillies manager Charlie Manuel took that into account in his evaluation.
"He was all right. The wind was blowing. It definitely looked like he was having some command (problems)," Manuel said.
"His breaking ball — he had a good one — but he was having trouble getting it over the plate. He got his work in. That's what he's out there for. He got his pitch count built up. He stayed healthy. He did that."
Philadelphia scored three times in the first off Guthrie, highlighted by Ibanez's home run, and added four more in the fifth with back-to-back homers off Kevin Gregg. Howard hit his long shot for his fourth homer and Ross Gload followed with a shot.
"We hit some balls good today," Manuel said.
Guthrie, who allowed four runs and six hits in four innings, got off to a bad start in the first when he walked Shane Victorino and Ibanez hit a drive to center.
"I did not think it was going to be a home run, but at the same time, you have to hit the ball well for to go out to center field," Guthrie said. "He put a good swing on it. I fell behind in the count and he was able to swing aggressively."
Guthrie has allowed six runs and 10 hits in seven innings in his last two appearances.
"Guthrie threw the ball well — if you take the conditions out of play," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said.
Brad Lidge, Philadelphia's teetering closer, allowed two runs in the eighth inning. In five games this spring, he's allowed six runs in six innings, but Manuel doesn't have the anxiety Phillies' fans have with Lidge.
"I'd tell them not to worry. I ain't going to worry," Manuel said.
The Phillies added five runs in the ninth.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
