Game Recap: Phillies 7 Pirates 4

It was a back and forth battle between the two clubs, but exactly three hours after it began, the Phillies beat out the Pirates 7-4, boosting their overall record to 4-3 in the Grapefruit League. Dan Meyer secured the win, Antonio Bastardo the save. Here are some notes:

• Joe Blanton took the hill for the second time this spring and fared well allowing 4 hits, 2 earned runs, walked one, and struck out two over 3 2/3 innings. He had retired 8 in a row before allowing a walk in the third, and was only pulled once he reached his scheduled pitch count. Big Joe also showed some defensive flair by snagging a ball hit behind his legs.
• Danys Baez worked a respectable 1 1/3 innings of relief allowing only one hit, but an inherited runner did score. Still an impressive showing for him all things considered.
• Ryan Howard went 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs on a single and his first homer of the spring. Jimmy Rollins showed some pop ending his days going 2 for 3. Valdez flaunted some of his versatility by starting in right field, giving Ben Francisco some well deserved time off. He finished 3 for 4 with two steals and a run scored.
• The starters were mostly done by the sixth inning, and that’s when Freddy Galvis, Brandon Moss, Matt Rizzotti, Pete Orr and Dane Sardinha turned it on combining for four hits and four RBIs.
• In an inning of relief, Andrew Carpenter pitched himself into a bases loaded jam before he settled down and fought his way out of it by striking out the last two batters he faced. He allowed 2 hits, 0 runs, and walked one.
• Antonio Bastardo made his spring debut earning the save by shutting the Buccos down in order.

Roy Halladay takes the mound tomorrow against the Pirates at Brighthouse Field at 1:05. The game’s radio feed will be available online at MLB.com, via the MLB At Bat app on your mobile device, and on WPHT 1210. Pin It Now!