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Blanton, Moyer sharp; Carrasco struggles

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Blanton, Moyer sharp; Carrasco struggles

POSTED: Monday, March 2, 2009, 1:42 PM

David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer

The two most intriguing elements of the B-Game the Phillies staged at the Carpenter Complex against the Blue Jays both passed their respective tests. Outfielder Jayson Werth, the projected starter in right, saw his first action of the spring, while starters Jamie Moyer and Joe Blanton combined to throw seven scoreless innings.

The Phillies had given Werth time off to knock off some rust from the offseason, keeping him out of the line-up for their first three games. He then tweaked his shoulder during batting practice and was scratched from a game against the Rays on Saturday.

Moyer and Blanton were both making their second appearances of the spring. Moyer threw 57 pitches in three innings, striking out four while allowing two hits – both of them infield singles. The veteran lefthander has pitched five scoreless innings this spring, allowing three hits and three walks while striking out six.

Blanton threw 59 pitches in four innings, allowing five hits and no walks while striking out four. The righthander has allowed one run in five innings pitched this spring, allowing seven hits and no walks while striking out six.

A tough outing for young righthander Carlos Carrasco this afternoon. After breezing through his first two innings, Carrasco gave up two home runs in the fifth inning, one of them a three-run shot to Kevin Millar. Things began to unravel when Eric Bruntlett dropped a ball in deep center field that went for a three-base error. Instead of two out and no on, Carrasco had Joe Inglett at third base and one out. Carrasco then gave up an RBI double to Aaron Hill and walked Adam Lind before giving up a bomb to Millar that bounced high off a tree behind the left field fence. Two batters later, Brad Emaus homered to center field.

Carrasco's line: three innings, five runs, three hits.

Left-handed out field prospect Jeremy Slayden hit a solo home run in the sixth inning. Jason Donald then followed with a single to left, his second time on base today. Donald also walked earlier in the game, giving him a team-high five in the first six games of the Grapefruit League season.

The Phillies have purchased the contracts of righthander Dustin Cameron from the St. Paul Saints and catcher Brendan Akashian from the Southern Illinois Miners of the Frontier League.

Cameron, 27, has spent the last three years pitching for various independent league teams. He most recently was a member of the St. Paul Saints, but never played a game for them. He was 3-2 with a 1.38 ERA in 34 appearances for the Pensacola Pelicans of the American Association last season. After being traded to the New Jersey Jackals, he posted a 7.07 ERA in 11 appearances.

Akashian led the Frontier League with a .448 on base percentage last season.

Update here from Dunedin: Lefthander J.A. Happ had a rough first inning, giving up a two-run home run to Adam Lind. He gave up two other hits before getting out of the frame.

22 comments

Comments (22)

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 5:14 PM, 03/02/2009

Vituperator, are you suggesting he spent his off-season with roberto alomar?

— tkohl

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 5:37 PM, 03/02/2009

who really cares how Werth is now, as long as he's ready for the start of the season, then I'm happy

— catnameddomino

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 6:15 PM, 03/02/2009

Did somebody say Werth has SIDS?

— nyphilsphan

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 7:12 PM, 03/02/2009

Carrasco was pitching well in his two ST outings until Bruntlett dropped a catchable fly ball in center today. Carlos had retired 10 straight in his first two ST games up until that point. Then he proved that the rap might be true that he struggles when things do not go well for him as two home runs quickly followed after the Bruntlett error. Until Carlos reacts better to negative situations he will not be ready for prime time. On the other hand keep an eye on Gary Majewski for a reliever spot. He pitch well in the two innings after Carrasco and has yet to give up a run in four innings of relief in his two ST appearances. If you base who is winning the 5th starter spot on the fewest home runs allowed this spring, it now stands Carrasco 2, Kendrick 1, Happ 1 and Park 1. So far early in ST, none of the 5th starter candidates have yet to rush out and seize the opportunity.

— Dull