CLEARWATER, Fla. – Charlie Manuel loves it when his team hits.
 
So he was pretty happy after the Phillies pounded out 10 of them, including six for extra bases, in a 7-0 win over the Yankees on Sunday.
 
“That was our best game as far as hitting the ball hard,” Manuel said.
 
Domonic Brown continued to be the bright spot of the spring. He belted a three-run homer to deep right off righthander Hiroki Kuroda and made a nice catch in the gap in left-center.
 
Defense has been a challenge for Brown during his stints in the majors. He has shown improvement this spring.
 
“He’s definitely gotten better in the outfield,” Manuel said.
 
Brown is playing with confidence. It shows mostly at the plate, where he has taken good swings all spring. He is hitting .367 (18 for 49) with four homers and six RBIs.
 
“His hitting is real good,” Manuel said. “He’s got good balance at the plate. He’s lowered his hands some. He’s catching the ball at an angle out front. That’s when his power plays for him.”
 
Brown is well on his way to being the team’s opening-day rightfielder. He could end up moving to left when Delmon Young is ready to come off the disabled list in late April.
 
“I’d say right now he’s got the lead,” Manuel said. “Kind of like Smarty Jones or something out front. Big Brown out front.”
 
Two players who are bidding for a spot on the bench had good games. Infielder Yuniesky Betancourt had three hits and catcher Stephen Lerud belted a two-run homer. Coming into camp, it seemed as if veteran Humberto Quintero would open the season as the backup catcher to Erik Kratz while Carlos Ruiz serves a 25-game suspension. Lerud has worked himself into the conversation because of his work behind the plate and his knowledge of the pitching staff.
 
With Cole Hamels making his scheduled start at the minor-league complex, Phillies officials got a look at several bullpen candidates against the Yankees.
 
Lefty Raul Valdes made the start and pitched three scoreless, walk-free innings. Valdes could make this club because of his ability to work multi-innings or be a situational lefty.
 
Chad Durbin pitched three scoreless innings and Mike Adams pitched one scoreless inning. They are both assured of spots in the bullpen. Candidates Mike Stutes and Jake Diekman both pitched a scoreless inning.
 
Up next
Roy Halladay will be the focus of camp Sunday as he pitches against Baltimore at sold-out Bright House Field (see story). Halladay had a poor outing his last time out.