Phillies Top In-State Rival Pirates

                In a tightly contested game this afternoon, the Phillies topped their in-state rival the Pittsburgh Pirates by a score of 2-1.  Neither team got on the board until the 6th inning when the Phillies took a 1-0 lead.  The Pirates quickly tied the game in the top of the 7th inning before the Phillies took the lead for good in the bottom of the 8th inning.
 Aaron Cook got the start in a game pitched by the Phillies bullpen, and threw 3 scoreless innings that were followed up by another 2 scoreless frames by Rodrigo Lopez.  Jonathan Papelbon was next to take the mound and threw one perfect inning with 2 strikeouts to lower his spring ERA to an atrocious 19.64.  Phillippe Aumont entered the game with a one run lead after returning from the World Baseball Classic recently, but could not hold it as he allowed 1 run in a single inning pitched.  Jake Diekman came on in the 8th inning to throw a scoreless frame and collect the win as the Phillies would score in the bottom half of the inning.  Cesar Jimenez pitched a scoreless 9th inning to notch the save.  The pitching was quite strong for both teams today as this was a very low scoring game.
                 The Phillies in the end were able to muster just enough offense in order to collect the win.  Chase Utley had a 2 for 4 day at the plate with a double and appears to be finally coming around after a slow start to the spring.  While Utley did commit an error in the field, he showed a promising sign as far as his health goes, as he stole his first base of Grapefruit League play.  Ryan Howard had a 1 for 3 day and also contributed a sacrifice fly to get the Phillies on the scoreboard in the 6th inning.  Darin Ruf continued his slow progression at the plate as he went 1 for 3 to raise his spring average to .211.  Ruf will need to pick up the pace greatly as camp is getting closer to ending and he is fighting for a major league job.  After the Pirates tied the game at 1-1, Pete Orr gave the Phillies the lead with a solo home run in the bottom of the 8th inning, his second of the spring.  Rule 5 pick Ender Inciarte continued to make a strong case to be a reserve outfielder come Opening Day, as he went 1 for 3 to raise his spring average to .294, and also threw an absolute bullet from center field to get a runner out at home plate.  Overall it was a somewhat successful day as the Phillies received a fine effort from their bullpen to piece together the game, and also got just enough offense to collect the win.  The Phillies will be back in action tomorrow against Tampa Bay.