Phillies Roughed up by Twins

         A game that started off so bright for the Phillies ended in disappointing fashion this afternoon as the Twins beat them by a score of 10-6.  The Phillies jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the third inning, before being shutdown for the remainder of the game and watching the Twins score 9 unanswered runs.  Cliff Lee got the start for the Phillies and looked solid in 3 2/3 innings, allowing 2 solo home runs but striking out 5 in the process.  Jeremy Horst took over for Lee and allowed a single run on a home run in 1 1/3 innings on the mound.  Raul Valdes was the next Phillies pitcher to get roughed up, allowing a two-run home run in 1 1/3 innings pitched.  Kyle Simon came on to finish the inning and pitched 2/3 of an inning of scoreless ball before Zach Miner took over and the game fell apart.  Miner allowed 5 runs, 4 earned, in just 1/3 of an inning pitched and collected a blown save and loss in the process. Joe Savery took over and was able to stop the bleeding, with 1 2/3 scoreless innings on the mound, but it was to late as the Phillies offense couldn't get anything going after the third inning.  While the Phillies pitching was roughed up in the game, the Phillies offense also Ruf'd up the Twins in the game (pun intended).
          Darin Ruf who is battling for an Opening Day roster spot, but has looked helpless so far at the plate, collected 2 hits in 4 at-bats on the day.  Ruf had a double and 3 RBI's on the day.  Ryan Howard continued to impress early on, with a 1 for 3 day, but that one hit came off a lefty, which is a good sign for the slugger who has struggled against same-side pitching the past few seasons.  Michael Young added a 2 for 3 performance, while catcher Erik Kratz went 2 for 4 with an RBI.  John Mayberry Jr. helped improve his argument to be a starter come Opening Day, with a 2 for 3 day at the plate.  The shining star at the plate again however, was the player who has impressed all spring, Dom Brown.  Brown continues to make solid contact in every at-bat and improved his average to .400 in Grapefruit League play with a 2 for 4 day.  Brown continues to make his case to be a starter for this team and has not given management any reason to think he should not be come Opening Day.  If Brown and Howard can carry over their spring performances thus far into the regular season, this Phillies lineup could be much more dangerous than previously anticipated.  The Phillies will be back in action tomorrow against the Rays.  Ryan Howard will finally receive a day off since the Phillies will be on the road, and Kyle Kendrick will get the start on the mound.  Go Phils!