Spring training: Pirates @ Phillies review

The Phillies suffered an 11-6 loss Thursday to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the team's second Grapefruit League game. The good news for the Phillies is that nine of the 11 Pirates runs were surrendered by pitchers who do not figure into the team's plans for this season.

Starter Kyle Kendrick had a decent outing, giving up one run over three innings. Kendrick hit right fielder Xavier Nady with a pitch in the first inning, but retired the other three batters with ease. Bucs' first baseman Adam LaRoche hit a solo home run to lead off the second and infielder Chris Gomez singled to right two batters later, but Kendrick forced backup infielder Brian Bixler to ground into a 4-6-3 double play to end the frame. Kendrick struck out another backup infielder, Josh Wilson, to lead off the third, and outfielder Nyjer Morgan's single was the only other baserunner Kendrick allowed.

Pitching prospects Joe Savery and Josh Outman did not fare as well. Savery tossed the fourth inning, facing eight batters and giving up five runs on four hits: three singles and a Nate McLouth three-run home run. Savery struck out two in the frame and walked one. Pitching coach Rich Dubee forced the 2007 first-round draft pick to work through his mistakes, and Savery showed good composure even if he is still several years away from the big leagues.

Outman, who reached Double-A Reading last season, gave up four runs on five hits over 1 2/3 innings. Outman retired the first two batters he faced before utility player Steve Pearce tripled to deep center and nonroster-invitee catcher Michel Hernandez singled Pearce home. Outman struck out invitee infielder Jorge Velandia to end the inning. Outman got into trouble in the eighth, giving up three hits, including an RBI single by highly-touted Pirates invitee Andrew McCutchen, to start the inning. A groundout knocked in another run and a passed ball charged to Phillies prospect catcher Jason Jaramillo allowed McCutchen to come home. Outman was pulled with two outs in the eighth.

Rule 5 draft pick Lincoln Holdzkom relieved Outman and showed his characteristic struggles with command despite not allowing a run over an inning and a third. Holdzkom walked three and hit a batter in addition to giving up a double to invitee infielder Luis Cruz. The last thing the Phillies need is a pitcher who cannot find the strike zone, so it would be surprising if Holdzkom were not offered back to Boston.

Righty Francisco Rosario, who spent a good portion of last year on the disabled list, pitched two innings, giving up one run on one hit, with two walks and three strikeouts. His performance may keep him in camp a bit longer, but he must improve if he wants to grab one of the few open bullpen spots.

At the dish, the top of the Phillies' order found its swing. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins, second baseman Chase Utley, and first baseman Ryan Howard all made solid contact. Rollins worked a walk to lead off the game and stole second for his first swiped bag of the spring. He also singled in the fourth in his 1-for-2 effort.

Utley knocked in a run on two doubles to raise his spring average to .400.

Howard struck out looking to end the first inning, but smashed a three-run home run during a five-run third inning. Howard finished 1-for-3 with three RBI.

Third baseman Pedro Feliz stayed hot for the Phils, singling in the second and doubling in the third before finally being retired for the first time in red pinstripes when he grounded out in the fifth. Feliz is 4-for-5 with a run and an RBI this spring.

Among other new faces, backup outfielder So Taguchi got the start in center field, giving Shane Victorino the day off. Taguchi struck out, walked, scored a run, and grounded into an inning-ending double play in his three plate appearances. Utility player Eric Bruntlett took over for Taguchi in center and went 1-for-2 with an RBI triple.

Right fielder Geoff Jenkins was 0-for-2 with two groundouts and a walk. New acquisition Ray Olmedo took over for Utley at second base and went 0-for-2 with a ground out and a fly out to end the game. Potential backup outfielder Chris Snelling struck out and lined out in his two at-bats after replacing designated hitter Greg Dobbs.

Dobbs had a single and a run scored in his 1-for-2 effort. Carlos Ruiz again started behind the plate and scored a run after doubling. Ruiz struck out looking to lead off the fourth before being lifted for Jaramillo. Jaramillo walked and flied to left in his two appearances.

Nonroster invitees Jason Donald, Andy Tracy, Mike Cervenak, Val Pascucci, and Brandon Watson all saw action in the late innings. Donald, who split time between Lakewood and Clearwater last season, was 1-for-2 with a double and committed a fielding error in the fifth inning. Tracy, a 34-year-old with 136 Major-League games under his belt, walked in his sole plate appearance. Cervenak, 31, flied out to right in his one AB; Pascucci, 29, flied to left on the only pitch he saw; and Watson, who broke the International League record with a 43-game hitting streak last season, struck out looking on three pitches.

For the second straight day, the players projected to be on the 25-man roster did nothing to hurt themselves, and those trying to make the cut did nothing to set themselves apart.

The Phillies "B" team, led by starter Brett Myers, is heading on the field to take on the Pirates as we speak, and you can tune in later today to listen as J.D. Durbin starts the main game at 1:05.