Post by #1 Jays Fan on Mar 29, 2008 11:54:47 GMT -5
PHILADELPHIA -- Aaron Hill hit a two-run home run and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1 on a cold and windy Friday night.
Both teams struggled at the plate in their first game up north, having arrived from Florida on Thursday. The temperatures fell into the low 40s by the end of the game.
Cole Hamels gave up three runs -- two earned -- and five hits in five innings for the Phillies, including Hill's homer on a fastball in the second inning.
"That's always the last thing to come for me, my fastball," Hamels said. "The temperature change is a big key for us hitting and pitching but that's also something I can use. I have an advantage as opposed to other teams that come in here. I got the kinks out of the way and I'm raring to go."
Meanwhile, Toronto manager John Gibbons was pleased to see starting pitcher Randy Wells go after Phillies slugger Ryan Howard with runners on first and third and one out in the first. Wells, who allowed one hit in two scoreless innings of work, struck out Howard on three pitches, including two changeups.
"You've got to be able to do that to the top hitters, keep them off balance," Gibbons said. "You also have to have the ability to do that, and Randy has that ability. It's a good test to help him gain even more confidence."
Notes: The Phillies claimed RHP Tim Lahey off waivers from the Chicago Cubs. He went 8-4 with 14 saves and a 3.65 earned-run average in 52 games last season in split time with double-A New Britain and triple-A Rochester. ... RHP J.D. Durbin, INF Ray Olmedo and OF Chris Snelling were outrighted to triple-A Lehigh Valley by the Phillies before the game. Olmedo declined the assignment and is now a free agent ... Philadelphia signed INF Chris Woodward to a minor league contract. ... Toronto's Matt Stairs will not go on the disabled list. He will play several innings on Saturday
Both teams struggled at the plate in their first game up north, having arrived from Florida on Thursday. The temperatures fell into the low 40s by the end of the game.
Cole Hamels gave up three runs -- two earned -- and five hits in five innings for the Phillies, including Hill's homer on a fastball in the second inning.
"That's always the last thing to come for me, my fastball," Hamels said. "The temperature change is a big key for us hitting and pitching but that's also something I can use. I have an advantage as opposed to other teams that come in here. I got the kinks out of the way and I'm raring to go."
Meanwhile, Toronto manager John Gibbons was pleased to see starting pitcher Randy Wells go after Phillies slugger Ryan Howard with runners on first and third and one out in the first. Wells, who allowed one hit in two scoreless innings of work, struck out Howard on three pitches, including two changeups.
"You've got to be able to do that to the top hitters, keep them off balance," Gibbons said. "You also have to have the ability to do that, and Randy has that ability. It's a good test to help him gain even more confidence."
Notes: The Phillies claimed RHP Tim Lahey off waivers from the Chicago Cubs. He went 8-4 with 14 saves and a 3.65 earned-run average in 52 games last season in split time with double-A New Britain and triple-A Rochester. ... RHP J.D. Durbin, INF Ray Olmedo and OF Chris Snelling were outrighted to triple-A Lehigh Valley by the Phillies before the game. Olmedo declined the assignment and is now a free agent ... Philadelphia signed INF Chris Woodward to a minor league contract. ... Toronto's Matt Stairs will not go on the disabled list. He will play several innings on Saturday
