Worley makes final bid as O's beat Phillies

April 1st, 2016

PHILADELPHIA -- After relinquishing an eighth-inning lead, the Orioles came back with two runs of their own to beat the Phillies, 8-7, on Friday night at Citizens Bank Park in the big league exhibition finale for both teams. 
Garabez Rosa, who went 3-for-3, tied it in the ninth with a leadoff dinger -- the sixth homer of the game -- off Dalier Hinojosa. Later in the frame with runners at the corners and two outs, Ryan Flaherty scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch by Hinojosa, who is in the mix to close out games. 
Darin Ruf's two-run eighth-inning homer off Pedro Beato gave the Phillies a 7-6 lead.

Xavier Avery and Steve Tolleson both blasted two-run long balls as the Orioles batted around in the fourth to take a 6-1 lead. The five-run outburst, which broke open what had been a 1-1 tie, came against relievers Ernesto Frieri, who gave up both long balls, and Anthony Vasquez.

That came after No. 2 starter Aaron Nola finished on a high note by pitching three strong innings, striking out five batters while allowing one unearned run on one hit and one walk.

Torrential rain interrupted play with the Phillies coming to bat in the third. The 47-minute delay cut short the outings by both starters, a development that had more potential significance for the Orioles' Vance Worley than it did for Nola.
Worley, who finished third in the National League Rookie of the Year Award voting for the Phillies in 2011, was making his final bid to earn a spot in the rotation. Even if he doesn't claim a starting spot, he's likely to stick as a reliever because he's out of options and signed a $2.6 million contract during the offseason.
In his two innings, Worley gave up one run on three hits.
"It would have been nice [to have a longer audition], but it is what it is," Worley said. "You can't control the weather.
"I think there are a few of us who still don't really know what our role is or if we're even on the team. We're just waiting patiently. I don't know. Until I'm told something, I'm just going to assume I'm here. I'm not going to think too far ahead. I'm just showing that I can do all the roles, so hopefully they see that."
Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco blasted his Major League-leading ninth spring home run into the second deck in left in the bottom of the fourth against O's non-roster invitee Edgar Olmos.
Two batters later, Ryan Howard homered to center against the lefty. Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said before the game that Howard will open the season starting only against right-handers as he platoons with Ruf at first.

Nola, meanwhile, is penciled in to start the Phillies' second regular-season game on Wednesday in Cincinnati as well as the home opener against the Padres on April 11. He only threw 53 pitches, but he said the plan had been to taper down anyway.
"My body feels good," Nola said. "My arm feels real good."

Up next for the Orioles: Baltimore will be off Saturday and work out on Sunday before beginning the 2016 season against the Twins at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Monday. First pitch on Opening Day is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. ET and can be seen live on MLB.TV. Right-hander Chris Tillman will make his third consecutive Opening Day start for the O's.
Up next for the Phillies: The Phillies will wrap up their exhibition season at 1:05 p.m. ET Saturday at Citizens Bank Park with a rematch against a Futures Team made up of many of their top prospects. It can be seen live on MLB.TV. For the big league team, veteran right-hander Charlie Morton will get his final tuneup before the Phillies open the regular season against the Reds on Monday at Great American Ball Park. Right-hander Jake Thompson, rated the organization's No. 2 prospect by MLBPipeline.com, will start for the Futures.