Downtown Dom Brown Strikes Again

    The Phillies topped the Yankees this afternoon at Bright House Field by a score of 4-1.  Once again Dom Brown had an impressive day.  Brown hit his sixth home run of the spring in a 1 for 3 day at the plate, and is hitting .397 in Grapefruit League play.  Brown continues to turn heads this spring and appears poised for a breakout season in 2013.

    Not to be outdone by his younger teammate, Ryan Howard continued to look fully recovered from an injury marred 2011-2012.  The slugger hit his fifth home run of Grapefruit League play in a 1 for 4 afternoon at the plate.  Howard continues to make solid contact at the plate, and is hitting .317 this spring, which is nearly 100 points higher than his .219 batting average during the 2012 season.
     Jimmy Rollins led off on the day after returning from the World Baseball Classic last week.  Rollins went 1 for 2 at the plate, and worked two walks on the day.  He appeared much more relaxed today than usual at the plate, and did not simply swing at an early pitch that ended in a pop-up.
    After a sluggish start to the spring, Chase Utley appears to be coming around.  The second baseman had a 2 for 4 day at the plate and has slowly increased his spring average to .227.  Don't read too much into his low average this spring, however, as the more promising sign is that Utley finally appears to be healthy after two injury plagued seasons.
    The Phillies pitching also put on a bit of a show this afternoon, completely shutting down the Yankees.  Kyle Kendrick got the start and went six innings, allowing only 2 hits and 1 unearned run.  Kendrick struck out three and looked spectacular on the day.
     The 2 hits surrendered by Kendrick would be the Yankees last hits of the game.  Veteran reliever Mike Adams replaced Kendrick and threw one perfect inning while striking out 1.  Adams appears to be fully recovered from an injury in 2012, and has yet to allow a run in Grapefruit League play.
    Jonathan Papelbon was next to take the mound for the Phillies.  Papelbon threw one perfect inning on the mound. He continues to slowly decrease his ERA after a horrific first outing this spring, lowering it to 15.43 today.
    Chad Durbin came on to close out the game for the Phillies, and recorded the save.  Durbin threw one hit less inning, while walking 1 and striking out 1.  The walk by Durbin was the only one allowed by the Phillies pitchers on the day.
    After a solid day at the plate and a great day on the mound, the Phillies were able to come away with a win.  The Phillies will have the day off from game action tomorrow.  They will return to action Thursday against the Red Sox.