Continuing his hot bat of the Spring, Ben Francisco walloped a Wandy Rodriguez offering into the right center field gap for a double that scored Ryan Howard all the way from first. The big man was trucking the whole way and beat out a one-bounce throw from shallow center on a nice side. Next up was Raul Ibanez, who was already responsible for one Phillies run tonight. Raul took Rodriguez’s next pitch into right on a rip that scored Howard and ended Wandy’s night after 4+ innings.
The Phils tacked on another one with a Wilson Valdez swinging bunt that scored Ibanez from 3rd. Shane Victorino was then pinch-hit for by last night’s hero, John Mayberry, probably a precautionary measure after Shane collided with Francisco in the 4th inning. It’s unclear as of yet whether or not Shane will miss any time.
Cliff continues to cruise with a 6-run cushion. 7-1 Phillies.