Cozens continues hot hitting with homer

Williams slugs 3-run shot in win over Tigers

February 24th, 2019

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Dylan Cozens smashed a home run in Sunday afternoon’s 10-6 victory over the Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla.

He is having a nice opening to his spring.

Cozens went 2-for-2 with a solo home run over the roof in right field. He went 2-for-2 with two doubles in Saturday’s loss to the Pirates at Spectrum Field. He walked twice and stole a base in Friday’s victory over the Rays in Port Charlotte.

“Obviously Cozens continues to barrel up the baseball,” Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said.

But Kapler also is keeping even keeled about Cozens’ impressive start. It is just three games in the Grapefruit League schedule, after all.

“We’re not close to the quarter pole of Spring Training,” he said. “Probably not enough to draw any conclusions other than he’s swinging the bat great, he looks especially confident, he’s running the bases well.”

Nicky Dubs

Phillies outfielder Nick Williams went 2-for-3. He hit a three-run home run to center field in the first inning. It was his first homer of the spring.

“I will say that since the beginning of Spring Training, Nick has been swinging the bat really good and all the attention has been on him when he’s been in the batter’s box during practice, and it’s really nice to see that translate into the game,” Kapler said.

Worth noting

• Scott Kingery went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, but Kapler highlighted his defense at third base. Kingery is competing with Maikel Franco for playing time at third base this season. Kingery will have fewer opportunities with Jean Segura at shortstop.

• Right-hander Drew Anderson allowed one hit, one run and one walk in 2 2/3 innings.

“He continues to utilize the cutter, which is a new pitch for him,” Kapler said. “He continues to pound the fastball on the inner lane.”

• The Tigers scored five runs late against Minor Leaguers Tyler Viza and Aaron Brown.

Up next

Non-roster invitee JoJo Romero gets the start Monday as the Phillies return to Clearwater, Fla., to face the Tigers (split squad). First pitch is at 1:05 p.m. ET at Spectrum Field, and the game can be seen on MLB.TV.