Recap: Detroit Tigers beat Phillies 4-2 in Grapefruit League opener

Detroit Tigers infielder Miguel Cabrera and outfielder Akil Baddoo get loose before the first full
Detroit Tigers infielder Miguel Cabrera and outfielder Akil Baddoo get loose before the first full | Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Detroit Tigers are 1-0 this spring after defeating the Phillies in their first spring training game

Scott Harris has talked all offseason about earmarking at-bats to young players. Today, the youngsters shined the brightest for the Detroit Tigers.

Prospects Parker Meadows and Andre Lipcius both went yard for the Tigers in a 4-2 win over the Phillies in their Grapefruit League opener. Both were absolute no-doubters.

On the pitching side, Garrett Hill started for the Tigers, hitting 97 mph on the radar gun in two scoreless innings. Rule 5 pick Mason Englert struck out four in two scoreless innings. It was a great day all around.

And the best part? The game was completed in about 2 hours and 15 minutes. The pitch clock works, folks.

Recap

Final: Tigers 4, Phillies 2

Angel De Jesus with a 1-2-3 9th and the Tigers win their Grapefruit League opener.

End 8th

We head to the 9th with the Tigers up 4-2.

Mid 8th

After a throwing error from Keith and a hit batter, the Phillies strand two.

End 7th

Colt Keith struck out on three pitches to end the inning. 4-2 Tigers after the home run by Lipcius.

Andre Lipcius 2-run home run

Lipcius with frozen rope out to left to give the Tigers a 4-2 lead in the seventh. He's also fighting for a spot in the infield. Off to a good start.

Tigers turn a triple play to end 7th

Started with a 6-3 unassisted double play, then they caught the runner between third and home in a rundown. Eventually tagged him out. 6-3-5-2 triple play. Don't see that every day.

Phillies tie the game

A 2-run double off LHP Zach Logue ties the game. The ball was hit just over Jonathan Davis' head. 2-2 game.

End 6th

Tigers lead 2-0 after six innings.

Jermaine Palacios RBI single

Jermaine Palacios, one of the several players fighting for an infield roster spot, with an RBI single in the sixth inning. 2-0 Tigers.

Mid 6th

Englert with another 1-2-3 inning.

End 5th

Tigers go 1-2-3 in the 5th. Parker Meadows struck out to end the inning.

Mid 5th

Englert strikes out the side. Talk about a good first impression.

End 4th

Miggy gets a single on a play that should have been ruled an error. Dillon Dingler comes on to pinch run for him. Eric Haase later grounded into a double play to end the inning. Rule 5 pick Mason Englert comes on for the 5th inning.

Mid 4th

Miguel Diaz pitched this inning and K'd the first batter he faced. Also struck out former Tiger John Hicks to end the inning. Scoreless inning for him.

End 3rd

After the Meadows HR, Ibanez singled, but Baez grounded into a double play on the very next pitch. 1-0 Tigers after three.

Parker Meadows home run

Parker Meadows leads off the bottom of the third with a bomb to right field. Got a fastball and didn't miss it. 1-0 Tigers.

Mid 3rd

After a double from Will Toffey, Wolf gets a couple of groundouts to end the threat.

End 2nd

Tigers get a walk from Haase and a double from Baddoo with two outs, but they're stranded. On to the third, where it sounds like Adam Wolf is set to take over on the mound.

Mid 2nd

Hills gets into a bit of a jam with a walk and a single, but rolls a double play ball to end the inning. His day is likely done. 2 IP, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1K, 34 pitches.

End 1st

We're scoreless after one. Schoop struck out, Ibanez grounded out, and Baez lined out.

Mid 1st

Garrett Hill with a 1-2-3 inning, including a swinging strikeout of former Tigers Nick Castellanos on a slider. Reports say his fastball was sitting around 95 mph.

Pregame

The Detroit Tigers open up Grapefruit League play today against the defending NL champion Phillies

Finally, it's time to play some baseball. The Detroit Tiger play their first spring trainng game today against the Philadelphia Phillies in Lakeland.

There will likley be several players coming in and out of the game as it goes a long. Some regulars might not even play. Youl'll likely hear a lot of names that won't play for the Tigers this year, whether they be prospects or journeyman trying to the make the team.

We'll be providing live updates throughout the game. Below is some info ahead of first pitch:

Detroit Tigers vs. Philadephia Phillies

First pitch: 1:05 p.m. ET

TV: None

Radio: 1270 AM (Detroit)

Pitching matchup: Garrett Hill (DET) vs. Michael Plassmeyer (PHI)

Lineups:

Tigers

1. Schoop, 2B

2. Ibanez, 3B

3. Baez, SS

4. Cabrera, DH

5. A. Meadows, RF

6, Haase, C

7. Baddoo, LF

8. Nevin, 1B

9. P. Meadows, CF

Phillies

1. Guthrie, CF

2. Castellanos, DH

3. Marchan, C

4. Kingery, SS

5. Clemens, 2B

6. Hicks, 1B

7. Muzziotti, LF

8. Ortiz, RF

9. Toffey, 3B

Schedule