Derrek Lee debuts as Philadelphia Phillies defeat Baltimore Orioles 7-5 – MLB Update
Baltimore Orioles’ first baseman Derrek Lee made his debut against the Philadelphia Phillies at Ed Smith Stadium, Florida on March 19, as his team lost 7-5.
Lee batted at Number three, went 0-for-1 with a single walk to Phillies’ lefty Cole Hamels. He missed the initial games of the spring season due to pain in his right wrist.
He got closer to the plate appearance at the end of first inning with two base runners. The Orioles were confident of sending him in the RBI circumstances, due to his exemplary abilities. Lee was supported in the second inning by an additional count after
Hamels attained two immediate strikes. Jake Fox added a solo homer in the fourth inning stand with Lee.
Lee was appointed by the Orioles in the start of this year with $7.25-million agreement for one year. He returned from injury in November 2010 to patch up a tattered muscle in his right thumb. X-rays and MRI test did not disclose any formal damage, but it
required to lessen the tenderness before playing.
After playing the first game of spring, Lee expressed his excitement and said, “It feels great. I was happy. [The wrist] wasn't an issue. I didn't feel it swinging. I kind of landed on it going for a ball and didn't feel it. I was happy with it. I was able
to see some pitches and go deep in the count.”
Hamels offered five runs and seven strikes, with an ERA of 6.23 during this spring season. He said, "Even though you get to build up your pitches, it would be nice to be able to have those quick, easy innings. I don't think I'm allowing myself to do that
because I'm not getting first-pitch strikes. I'm not putting myself in a really good count."
Vladimir Guerrero made three runs for three at-bats including a double and two RBIs for the Orioles. His third strike drew closer against the ex-Orioles’ reliever Danys Baez, who stood in place of Hamels with two strike-outs in the fourth inning.
The Phillies took a lead in the seventh inning by posted two runs against the lefty pitcher Michael Gonzalez, counting Erik Kratz's tremendous homer.
Shane Victorino hit off the reliever Clay Rapada with a three-run attempt in the fifth inning which resulted in a tied score at 5-5.
Ross Gload made a single in the second inning off Orioles’ starter Jake Arrieta while John Mayberry Jr. struck his fifth spring homer over the Orioles and he led off the team with 11 RBIs. These RBIs were more than Ryan Howard, who did not make the outing.
In the end, the Phillies took a comfortable win over the Orioles. Both teams will be looking to gain some confidence before the regular season begins.
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