Phillies Fall to Braves in Slugfest

              Runs definitely were not in short supply today, as the Phillies fell to the Braves 17-10 at the Wide World of Sports Complex.  No Phillies pitcher walked away from this afternoons contest with a clean line.  Rodrigo Lopez started for the Phillies and was absolutely shelled for 8 runs, 7 earned, on 8 hits, that included 2 home runs, in just two innings of work.
 Colton Murray was next to take the mound for the Phillies, and did not have any better luck.  Murray allowed 3 runs in a single inning pitched, while allowing Justin Upton to hit his second home run of the game.  Michael Stutes allowed 1 run on a solo home run in one inning pitched.  Antonio Bastardo was the next Phillies pitcher to get hit around, allowing 2 runs, on 2 hits, and a walk in one inning on the mound.  Aaron Cook came on to pitch the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings, and the Braves continued to put on a show.  Cook allowed 3 runs, 2 earned, on 4 hits, and a walk in his three innings of work.  While the Phillies pitching staff got roughed up on the day, allowing 19 hits to the Braves, the Phillies did some damage at the plate as well.
              On the day the Phillies collected 10 runs on 17 hits.  After falling behind 6-0 in the bottom of the first, the Phillies plated 5 runs in the top of the second inning to make it a game again.  This would be the last time the Phillies got close, however, as the Braves scored in each inning but the sixth.  While it was a blowout loss, there were some positives from the Phillies hitters on the day.  Lead off hitter Ben Revere had a 2 for 4 day with 2 RBI's and is now hitting .328 in Grapefruit League play.  Ryan Howard continued his solid spring, going 2 for 4 to increase his average to .321.  The slugger looks to finally be completely healthy and poised for a bounce back season.  Darin Ruf appears to finally be coming around at the plate, going 2 for 5 on the day with 2 doubles, 2 runs, and an RBI.  After getting off to an extremely slow start this spring, Ruf has slowly increased his average to .224.  Yuniesky Betancourt continued his torrid spring, going 4 for 5 at the plate with a double.  Betancourt is making the Phillies think twice about adding him to the 25 man roster, which they must do before March 24 or he can opt-out of his contract.  If Betancourt does choose to opt-out, it's a safe assumption that some team looking for infield depth will pick him up after the type of spring he has had.  Of course, in keeping with the theme of most of the Phillies games this spring, Dom Brown put on a show.  Brown continued to hit everything, going 3 for 4 on the day with 2 runs and 2 RBI's.  Brown clubbed his fifth home run of the spring, a 2 run shot, and continues to look ready to move into a starting role, as he is hitting .400 so far this spring.  So after a rough day for Phillies pitching, at least the hitting continues to progress.  The Phillies will be back in action tomorrow against the Yankees.