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That Balls Outta Here

Phillies Fall to Twins, 4-3, as Scott Kingery Knocks Second Home Run

By John Town

Feb 25, 2017; Clearwater, FL, USA;Philadelphia Phillies manager Pete Mackanin (45) and catcher Cameron Rupp (29) talk prior to their spring training game against the New York Yankees at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Clearwater, FL, USA;Philadelphia Phillies manager Pete Mackanin (45) and catcher Cameron Rupp (29) talk prior to their spring training game against the New York Yankees at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Phillies broke their streak of ties as they fell to the Twins in a close 4-3 game. Second-base prospect Scott Kingery homered in the loss.

The Phillies left several opportunities on the table as they lost by a 4-3 score to the Minnesota Twins. The Phils went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position as they couldn’t convert their 11 hits into more runs.

Philadelphia scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first. Cesar Hernandez opened the inning with a single, stole second base, then advanced to third on a groundout before Odubel Herrera hit a sacrifice fly to drive Hernandez in. It was Herrera’s first RBI and Hernandez’s first stolen base of the spring.

Jeremy Hellickson made his second start of the spring, this time going three innings instead of two as the team begins to stretch their big-league starters out. The Twins put runners on the corners with no outs in the first, but Hellickson was able to escape the inning without surrendering a run. The righty gave up a solo home run in the second for Minnesota’s first run of the game and he allowed four hits and one walk overall. Hellickson did record four strikeouts over his three innings.

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Mark Appel also saw some extended action as he went 2.2 innings. He gave up a home run to the second batter he faced but settled down from there. Appel finished the game with two strikeouts to go along with three hits allowed.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Phils managed to load the bases with two outs, but Freddy Galvis lined out as they were unable to capitalize on the situation.

In the sixth, Scott Kingery came on to replace Hernandez at second base and made a nice diving stop on a ground ball and threw out the runner with ease.

Minnesota managed to put a runner on second with two outs, and with Appel nearing 50 pitches, the Phils made a call to the bullpen. Minor-leaguer Will Morris, who was a part of High-A Clearwater’s no-hitter last year, came on to strike out the final batter of the inning.

Manager Pete Mackanin sent out Alberto Tirado to pitch the seventh inning, and he immediately hit a batter then allowed a double to put runners on second and third. An RBI single scored both of the runners to put Philadelphia behind 4-1.

Kingery continued his hot spring at the plate as he knocked his second home run of the spring in the bottom of the seventh.

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Kingery now has six hits in 12 at-bats this spring to go along with three RBI. His offense and stellar defense has certainly impressed the major-league coaches this spring.

Sean Burnett and Cesar Ramos retired the last six Minnesota batters of the game, keeping the Phils within one as they went into the bottom of the ninth.

Kingery and outfielder David Nava hit consecutive singles to put runners on the corners with one out. After Aaron Altherr struck out, Dylan Cozens walked to load the bases with two outs, putting J.T. Chargois in a jam.

Logan Moore lined a bullet up the middle, but Chargois was able to knock down the ball and retire Moore, preserving the win for Minnesota.

Next: Phillies 2017 Season Preview: UT Andres Blanco

Philadelphia’s next game will come Saturday at 1:05 P.M. when they face the Braves – who will have a split squad – in Clearwater. Jerad Eickhoff will start the game.

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