Phillies get last laugh in slugfest vs. Tigers
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Justin Upton continued his clobbering at Clearwater with a three-run homer in the first inning, but Freddy Galvis' game-tying two-run double in the sixth led a Phillies comeback for an 8-5 win over the Tigers on Sunday at Spectrum Field.
Upton, who hit two homers here in a four-hit game last March as the highlight of his first camp as a Tiger, might have topped that with his drive to the berm in left-center field, punishing Phillies starter Clay Buchholz for command woes in his second start of the spring. The former Red Sox starter walked Andrew Romine and hit Jose Cabrera in the ribs before Upton capitalized.
Non-roster invite Brett Pill added a solo homer in the second, saddling Buchholz with four runs on three hits over three innings. A highlight catch from Howie Kendrick in left field to rob Steven Moya of extra bases prevented further damage.
Tigers starter Daniel Norris took the early lead and cruised. Five days after he used 40 pitches over 1 2/3 innings against the Yankees, the young left-hander needed just 42 pitches to become the first Tiger to pitch three innings this spring. Ryan Hanigan's third-inning single was the only hit Norris allowed, though Daniel Nava drew a walk.
"I think today, if I was on my normal pitch count, was one of those days when I could go seven or eight innings," Norris said, "because I was just able to trust my stuff."
Fourth-inning home runs from Michael Saunders and Rhys Hoskins began the Phillies' comeback against Mark Lowe before Galvis doubled in two runs with a drive off the right-field fence. Nick Wiliams singled in the go-ahead run in the seventh off Bruce Rondon, then Hector Gomez doubled in two insurance runs off Ruben Alaniz.
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Tigers Up Next:J.D. Martinez and Jose Iglesias return to action Monday, when the Tigers host the Orioles for a 1:05 p.m. ET matchup at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. Michael Fulmer was scratched from making this start due to a sprained right ankle, so Mike Pelfrey will step in to make his third spring appearance and second start.
Phillies Up Next: After their first off-day of the spring, the Phillies will resume Grapefruit League play when they travel to Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland to face the Tigers on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET. Right-hander Aaron Nola, whose comeback from a right elbow strain that caused him to miss the final two months last season is an important story line, will make his second start of the spring. Also listed on the travel roster: Ben Lively, Jeanmar Gomez, Cesar Ramos, Pedro Beato and Colton Murray.
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