Abreu leads Manship, Phillies over Astros
Outfielder collects three hits, including tiebreaking double; hurler solid for five
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Right fielder Bobby Abreu went 3-for-4, including a tiebreaking double in the sixth inning, to lead the split-squad Phillies to a 6-3 win over the Astros on Thursday afternoon at Osceola County Stadium.
Phillies starter Jeff Manship threw five solid innings, allowing six hits and one run while striking out five batters in his third start of the spring. He's competing for the final spot in the starting rotation, which the Phillies won't need until April 13.
Abreu singled in the second and fourth innings against Astros starter Lucas Harrell, and he socked an RBI double to center off Kevin Chapman in the sixth inning to score Cameron Rupp and put the Phillies ahead, 2-1. Abreu wound up scoring on a throwing error by center fielder Marwin Gonzalez.
Harrell, one of four Astros pitchers competing for the final two spots in the rotation, worked 4 1/3 innings and allowed six hits, two walks and one run with no strikeouts. He threw 55 of his spring-high 91 pitches for strikes.
Dexter Fowler went 2-for-2 with a walk and a run scored. He led off the game with a double and scored on a Jason Castro double to put the Astros ahead, 1-0. The Phillies tied the game at 1 in the fifth when Steve Susdorf walked and scored on a Ronny Cedeno double.
Up next: The Phillies host the World Series champion Red Sox in a Grapefruit League game at 1:05 p.m. ET on Friday at Bright House Field, live on MLB.TV. Philadelphia left-hander Cliff Lee takes the mound. Manager Ryne Sandberg named Lee the team's Opening Day starter on Monday.