LAKELAND, Fla. - Without Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Aaron Rowand and Pat Burrell making the bus trip, the Phillies lost their Grapefruit League opener to the Tigers yesterday 9-7.
The Tigers, who played their entire starting nine the first five innings, scored the biggest blow when Gary Sheffield hit a three-run homer to dead center in the third, chasing starter Jamie Moyer. Detroit would score four off Moyer, three off Anderson Garcia and two off Brian Sanches. In spite of the early focus on fundamentals, the Phils' defense didn't help their pitchers, allowing three errors, a passed ball and other misplays.
Fabio Castro was the standout pitcher, tossing three shutout innings against the Tigers' starters, including strikeouts of Craig Monroe and Brandon Inge. Clay Condrey had a 1-2-3 eighth against players whose uniform numbers were in the 70s.
Offensively, Greg Dobbs, pictured, who played the entire game at first base and is the subject of Todd Zolecki’s piece in the Inquirer, had three hits including a home run to right field. Karim Garcia added two hits and two RBIs, including a double off the wall in center. The reports about Garcia's strong outfield arm are for real.
-- Billy Mac
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