2+2+2=April 2

Two more Florida road games, two more Clearwater games, two more games at Citizens Bank Park and the Phillies will be set for their season opener on Monday, April 2. 

Before the eighth Bright House Networks Field sellout this spring, the Phillies bats came alive and the pitchers did their thing taking the sting out of the last eight games that produced one win and one tie.  The rest fell in the L column.

Chase Utley hit a pair of home runs today.  In spring training games, when the starting pitcher or a starting position player leaves the game, the media is permitted in the clubhouse.  Chase was surrounded by a dozen writers, two radio types and two TV cameras. 

As I had mentioned sometime ago, spring training comes in three phases:  glad to start, glad to start playing games and let’s get outta here for the regular season.  We are definitely in phase 3.

There are still some roster decisions to be made between now and 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 1, when the Phillies’ 25-man roster must be finalized. 

With Freddy Garcia still rehabbing from right bicep tendonitis and Jon Lieber unable to throw right now because of a muscle strain, rookie Zack Segovia gets another start tomorrow at Tampa against the Yankees.   He started there on March 20 and was very impressive, one run in five innings, with no walks and two strikeouts.