Detroit Tigers Blank Philadelphia Phillies 6-0

Mar 10, 2015; Clearwater, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Steven Moya (33) swings and misses during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Tigers blanked the Philadelphia Phillies 6-0 at Bright House Networks Park in Clearwater, Florida. The Tigers offense was fueled by 3 home runs and more extra base power from J.D. Martinez, Steven Moya, Daniel Fields, Jose Iglesias, Ian Kinsler and Wynton Bernard. Seven pitchers combined on the shutout only allowing 5 hits and two walks, while recording 8 strikeouts.

The Tigers got the scoring started in the second inning when Steven Moya got on base with a base hit and came home on an opposite field two run home run from Daniel Fields. The home run was helped by the 20+ mph wind, but Fields still gave it a charge giving the Tigers the 2-0 lead.

The Tigers extended their lead in the third with two interesting plays. Ian Kinsler tripled on a fly ball to center field that ricocheted away from Ben Revere in center. Jose Iglesias then hit an infield ground rule double. You read that correctly. He hit a rocket off of starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez’s shin (where else would Iglesias hit someone) that ricocheted into the Phillies’ dugout for a ground rule double scoring Kinsler. This ended Gonzalez’s day after 2+ innings with the Tigers leading 3-0.

The Tigers later added two runs in the 6^th inning with solo home runs from J.D. Martinez, and an opposite field home run from Steven Moya. Both home runs were their first of Spring Training.

The Tigers finished their scoring by adding one more run in the 8^th. Moya scored his second run of the game as Wynton Bernard knocked him in with a 2 out, RBI triple.

Alfredo Simon got his second start of the spring throwing three shutout innings surrendering 2 hits and one walk with three strikeouts. Joba Chamberlain pitched the 4^th throwing a shutout inning, but surrendered one walk and one hit. Blaine Hardy, Angel Nesbitt, Buck Farmer and Joe Mantiply combined to complete the shutout from the 5^th through 9^th innings.

This win improved the Tigers’ record to 5-3 on the spring. They will play tomorrow at Space Coast Stadium against the Washington Nationals at 1:05.