Phillies Blown Out by Rays

               The Phillies faced the Tampa Bay Rays for the second day in a row, and for the second day in a row came away with a loss.  Today's loss was in blowout fashion, as the Phillies lost by a score of 15-7.  John Lannan got the start for the Phillies and gave up 4 runs in four innings on the mound.
Jonathan Papelbon was next to take the mound, and for the first time this spring had a clean outing, going one inning without allowing any runs.  Veteran reliever Chad Durbin allowed a run in a single inning pitched, while Antonio Bastardo allowed 4 runs, 1 earned in 2/3 of an inning pitched.  J.C. Ramirez finished off the inning for Bastardo without allowing any hits, but was followed by B.J. Rosenberg getting rocked.  Rosenberg allowed 5 runs, 4 earned in just 1/3 inning pitched.  Kyle Simon came on next and allowed 1 run in 2/3 of an inning pitched, before Jake Diekman finished off the game with a scoreless inning.  While the Phillies pitchers got hit around badly, their hitters did some damage at the plate on the day, scoring 7 runs on 14 hits.
               Ben Revere hit lead off for the Phillies on the day and went 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Ryan Howard continued his impressive start to Grapefruit League play, going 1 for 3 with a solo home run.  Catcher Humberto Quintero had a 3 for 4 day with 3 RBI's, while Laynce Nix went 2 for 5 on the day.  Third base prospect Cody Asche impressed with a 2 for 4 day that included a double before being reassigned to minor league camp after the game.  In his short time with the big club Asche hit .357 and showed a lot of potential.  Once again Dom Brown was a bright spot at the plate for the Phillies.  Brown went 2 for 4 at the plate and yet again raised his batting average, which now sits at .432 for the spring.  Brown continues to look great at the plate, however, he did commit an error in the field today.  While he may not be a stellar fielder at this point, if Brown can carry over this hitting to the regular season, his fielding will be of little concern, especially as the Phillies other option, Delmon Young, moves about as fast as a sloth in the outfield.  So while the Phillies pitching had a rough day, the hitting continues to make progress and Ryan Howard and Dom Brown continue to look stellar at the plate.  The Phillies will be back in action tomorrow against the Astros, with Cole Hamels getting the start.  Go Phils!