Spring training: Reds @ Phillies review

I listed to the first eight innings of the Phillies' first Grapefruit League game via MLB.com's Gameday Audio yesterday, and I was impressed with what I heard. The Phillies had an offensive explosion and a strong effort on the mound to score the 8-1 victory.

Notwithstanding two of the Reds' biggest bats, Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn, missing from the lineup, four Phillies' pitchers combined for an impressive one-run, five-hit performance.

Jamie Moyer allowed only one hit (a single by baseball's number-one prospect, outfielder Jay Bruce) and struck out three.

Rule 5 Draft pick Travis Blackley, a lefty from Australia, pitched three innings in his effort to make the 25-man roster. He faced the minimum, allowing one hit but picking off backup infielder Jeff Keppinger in the fifth. If Blackley is left off the active roster, he must be offered back to San Francisco.

Inning-eater Clay Condrey surrendered a home run to non-roster invitee infielder Adam Rosales, but had an otherwise flawless inning, including two strikeouts.

Carlos Carrasco, a 20-year-old top prospect who peaked last year at Double-A Reading, pitched a perfect eight inning, and Ryan Madson returned to the diamond for his first competition since July, surrendering two hits before forcing a double play to end the game.

At the plate, the Phillies newcomers were impressive. Right fielder Geoff Jenkins went 1-for-3 with a double. Third baseman Pedro Feliz singled in his first at-bat and had an RBI double in his second. Backup infielder Eric Bruntlett was 2-for-2 with a double, and backup outfielder So Taguchi had an RBI single in his 1-for-2 performance.

Among the nonroster invitees, only infielders Casey Smith (0-for-1 with a walk) and Brennan King (0-for-1) saw action at the plate. Neither improved his Buckley's chance of making the active roster. Smith was a middle infielder for the Angels' Triple-A squad in Salt Lake last season, and King was the starting third baseman at Triple-A Ottawa last year.

Outfielder T.J. Bohn, who is on the 40-man roster but is not in contention for a spot on the 25-man roster, had a single in his only trip to the plate. Bohn was in the Braves' minor league system last year, and has 18 major-league games under his belt with Seattle in 2006.

Among the returning big names, first baseman Ryan Howard, left fielder Pat Burrell, catcher Carlos Ruiz, and platoon outfielder Jayson Werth had solid 1-for-2 performances, including a lead-off double by Howard in the second inning that led to the Phillies' first run of the spring. Backup third baseman Greg Dobbs broke the game wide open with a home run that knocked in three of the Phillies' seven runs in the fifth inning.

The top of the order, however, was less impressive, as shortstop Jimmy Rollins, center fielder Shane Victorino, and second baseman Chase Utley all went 0-for-2. Backup catcher Chris Coste was also 0-for-2.

One of last year's biggest disappointments, third baseman Wes Helms, was showcased for the entire game, but did not help his trade prospects by donning the 0-for-4 sombrero.

The team looked solid and there were no big surprises in the first game of the spring. Things look bright for 2008 as the Phillies and starter Kyle Kendrick turn their attention to the Pittsburgh Pirates, who come to Bright House Field for a 1:05 game this afternoon.