Philadelphia Phillies' Offense Silenced in Loss to Tampa Bay Rays

Source: mlb.com

RAYS 3, PHILLIES 2
at Port Charlotte, Fla.
Thursday, March 12

Phillies at the plate: Miguel Cairo got the Phils' first hit leading off the fourth, but the second baseman was thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double. Cairo then collected the team's second hit leading off the sixth. Ryan Howard hit a sacrifice fly in the seventh. Andy Tracy ripped a solo homer in the ninth.

Rays at the plate:Carl Crawford doubled down the right-field line, then stole third base and scored on Evan Longoria's sacrifice fly to center field; the steal was Crawford's first of the spring. Gabe Gross doubled home a run in the second inning to put Tampa Bay up, 2-0. Gabe Kapler, who was signed to help the Rays against left-handed pitching, hit a solo home run off lefty J.A. Happ in the sixth.

Phillies on the mound:Jamie Moyer made his third appearance of the spring, and the 46-year-old left-hander allowed two runs on six hits in five innings.

Rays on the mound:James Shields made his second spring start and pitched like he was ready for his Opening Day assignment. The right-hander allowed just one hit, a walk and three strikeouts in four innings. Troy Percival made his first spring appearance and retired the Phillies in order in the fifth. Dan Wheeler retired the side in order in the sixth, striking out two in the process. Grant Balfour struggled in two-thirds of an inning, allowing one run on one hit and three walks while striking out one. The outing was the right-hander's first since taking a line drive off his right forearm Saturday.

Grapefruit League records: Phillies 4-8; Rays 7-6

Up next:The Phillies will host the Pirates on Friday in a 1:05 p.m. ET contest in Clearwater, Fla. Philadelphia right-hander Joe Blanton will oppose Pittsburgh left-hander Zach Duke.

The Rays travel to Dunedin, Fla., on Friday for a 1:05 p.m. game against the Blue Jays. Left-hander Carlos Hernandez will start for Tampa Bay and will be followed by right-hander Jason Hammel, one of the candidates for the team's No. 5 spot. Left-hander Brett Cecil will get the nod for Toronto.