Phillies hang on to beat Tigers, 6-5

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The Phillies beat the Detroit Tigers, 6-5, in a Grapefruit League game on Thursday afternoon at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla.

A sixth-run fifth inning against Joe Nathan made the difference for the Phillies. Odubel Herrera and Jeff Francoeur tallied two hits apiece. Andres Blanco smacked a two-run triple.

Jerome Williams allowed two runs in three innings. David Buchanan threw a scoreless three innings in which he surrendered only one hit. Hector Neris struggled, allowing three runs on two hits with two walks in just 2/3 of an inning.

Read below for running commentary of the game.

3:32: The Tigers have mounted a comeback, now down only 6-5.

The inning started with a few defensive swaps for the Phillies - Maikel Franco took over third for Asche, Rene Garcia replaced Cameron Rupp behind the plate, and in what wound up being the most critical move, Brian Bogusevic replaced Dom Brown in right field. Hector Neris took the mound and ran into trouble immediately.

The Tigers led off with a single, but two fielder's choices to Franco put up two outs. The Tigers' runner, Wynton Bernard, stole second and two straight walks put him on third. Jefry Marte singled to knock in a run, and after Kevin Slowey replaced Neris on the mound, Ben Verlander singled in another run. Brian Bogusevic managed to throw out Marte at the plate after another single to end the inning.

2:59: After six innings, the Phillies still lead 6-2. They have out-hit the Tigers, 8-5. Jerome Williams and David Buchanan each pitched three innings.

2:35: Jeff Francoeur hits a bloop single to score Domonic Brown. Make that six runs this inning for the Phillies.

2:30: Odubel Herrera scores on an error by Tigers first baseman Jordan Lennerton. Joe Nathan exits with outs in a woeful fifth inning for the veteran righthander.

2:17: Andres Blanco smacked a two-run triple to give the Phillies their first lead of the day, 3-2, still with no outs in the fifth inning. Cameron Rupp grounded out to score Blanco and make it 4-2.

2:16: Jeff Francoeur led off with the Phillies' second hit of the game, a sharply hit single. Cody Asche followed him with a single, putting runners at first and second. As Freddy Galvis attempted a bunt, Francoeur got caught hanging off second, but Joe Nathan's throw went into center field. Francoeur reached third and, despite Pete Mackanin waving him home, didn't score.

Galvis bashed a base hit to left, however, knocking in Francoeur and sending Asche to third.

2:08: The Phillies went quietly in their half of the fourth, with only a Dom Brown walk to break the monotony. David Buchanan took over for the Phillies and induced three straight ground outs for a clean inning.

1:49: Yoenis Cespedes left the game with left-quad tightness and is considered day-to-day, the Tigers say. Detroit enters the fourth inning still leading 2-0.

1:35: A Rajai Davis sacrifice fly in the second inning made it 2-0.

1:09: Odubel Herrera, playing left field today for the first time, drove a 90 mile-per-hour fastball from Justin Verlander to the gap in left-center field for a one-out double. He then wasted it by getting picked off at second base. Domonic Brown grounded to first to end the top of the first.

12:35: Welcome to today's game blog. We're here in Lakeland, Fla., for the Phillies Grapefruit League game against the Tigers. First pitch is slated for 1:05 p.m. Jerome Williams starts for the Phillies, former Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander for the Tigers.

Here is the Phillies' Thursday lineup:

1. Ben Revere CF

2. Odubel Herrera LF

3. Domonic Brown RF

4. Ryan Howard 1B

5. Jeff Francoeur DH

6. Cody Asche 3B

7. Freddy Galvis SS

8. Andres Blanco 2B

9. Cameron Rupp C

And for the Tigers:

1. Rajai Davis CF

2. Hernan Perez SS

3. J.D. Martinez RF

4. Yoenis Cespedes DH

5. Tyler Collins LF

6. Bryan Holaday C

7. Jordan Lennerton 1B

8. Josh Wilson 2B

9. Andrew Romine 3B