Joseph & Phillies Top Nationals

         In a match up against the 2012 NL East Division Champion Washington Nationals today, the Phillies emerged victorious by a score of 6-3.  The game was started by star pitchers for both teams, with Stephen Strasburg getting the start for the Nationals, and Roy Halladay for the Phillies.  Strasburg surrendered 2 runs in 3 2/3 innings pitched while allowing 5 hits, however, he did strike out 6.  Halladay looked much stronger, going 4 innings while allowing only 2 hits and no runs.  Halladay looked sharp in the outing, striking out 2 and walking 1 batter, while also taking some advice from Chase Utley.  Utley had suggested maybe Halladay should throw at batters more often this season, and after Utley was hit on the foot by a pitch, Halladay did just that in the next inning, as he threw a pitch behind Tyler Moore.  After his day was finished Halladay stated the ball simply slipped, but that is a little hard to believe coming from a pitcher with such pin-point command.  After Halladay's stellar outing, the Phillies continued to receive strong pitching on the day with the exception of Chad Durbin.  Michael Stutes took over for Halladay and threw one scoreless inning before Durbin entered the game.  Durbin surrendered 3 runs on 4 hits in a single inning of work.  The next inning it was back to smooth sailing for the Phillies pitchers, as Antonio Bastardo threw a perfect inning with 2 strikeouts.  Justin De Fratus and Jake Diekman finished off the game with an inning pitched a piece, and Diekman striking out two batters.  The Phillies also received some solid play at the plate on the day.
         Dom Brown and Ryan Howard continued to rack up the hits so far through Grapefruit League play, with Brown going 2 for 3 with a double and Howard going 1 for 3 with an RBI on the day.  After Howard was lifted from the game, the production from the first base position continued, as Josh Fields hit a home run.  The most impressive performance on the day however, belonged to young catching prospect Tommy Joseph.  Joseph went 3 for 4 at the plate on the day while collecting a double.  The young catcher who was acquired in the Hunter Pence trade last season also had an impressive day behind the plate, calling a solid game and also gunning down a runner attempting to steal second.  Joseph showed some real promise and why he is regarded as the future catcher of the organization.  I would personally like to thank him for making me feel worse about myself as he is only 2 weeks older than me, 21 years old, and appears to be on the fast track to the big leagues.  The win improved the Phillies Grapefruit League record to 6-5-1.  The Phillies will be back in action tomorrow against the Twins, with Cliff Lee getting the starting nod.  Go Phils!