Ralph Long | NBC Sports Philadelphia Contributor

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  • Mar 3, 2018

    Guess what … the Flyers got a point and they're lucky to have one

    BOX SCORE TAMPA, Fla. — The Flyers put up six goals on 43 shots and had two two-goal leads, including a 5-3 lead in the third period, Saturday afternoon. But all they could manage was one point in a wild 7-6 loss to the Lightning at Amalie Arena (see observations).  For the time being, that point will put the Flyers in a…

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  • Mar 3, 2018

    Flyers struck by Lightning in wild game

    BOX SCORE TAMPA, Fla. — Claude Giroux came up with the equalizer with 2:53 remaining in regulation to send the game to overtime, but the Flyers came up empty in the shootout in a wild 7-6 loss Saturday afternoon to the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. The Flyers, however, guaranteed themselves a point and put themselves in a tie with the…

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  • Mar 16, 2017

    Phillies working hard with Andrew Knapp at first base

    CLEARWATER, Fla. — Every day is a new learning experience for Andrew Knapp as a first baseman. Knapp, who is trying to make the Phillies as a backup catcher and first baseman, has had his moments, both good and bad, in the field this spring. He made a start at first base last Thursday with mixed results. He failed to come…

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  • Mar 14, 2017

    Orioles 6, Phillies 4: Nick Williams wows with glove, bat

    BOX SCORE SARASOTA, Fla. — Outfielder Nick Williams has been playing in the spring like he’s on a mission to make the big leagues, according to manager Pete Mackanin. Williams took one step closer Monday as he showed he can generate runs with his bat and take them away with his glove. Brock Stassi and Williams hit solo home runs…

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  • Mar 14, 2017

    Daniel Nava impressing Phillies with ‘professional at-bats' in spring training

    CLEARWATER, Fla. — The first time Pete Mackanin saw Daniel Nava, it was in his first major league at-bat with the Boston Red Sox in 2010. Nava, on the first pitch he saw, hit a grand slam off Phillies starting pitcher Joe Blanton. Mackanin said he’s liked Nava ever since that day, and it was one of the reasons the…

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  • Mar 14, 2017

    Phillies 6, Red Sox 5: Situational hitting, small ball led by Roman Quinn impresses Pete Mackanin

    CLEARWATER, Fla. — If the Phillies can bring a culture and expectation of winning into the clubhouse it will be days like Sunday that manager Pete Mackanin can look back at to see where it began. Situational hitting, advancing runners, stealing bases, playing defense, dropping bunts and solid relief pitching all played a part Sunday in a 6-5 win against…

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  • Mar 14, 2017

    Phillies acquire reliever Pat Venditte from Mariners

    CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Phillies made a small trade on Sunday as they acquired reliever Pat Venditte from the Mariners in exchange for minor-league outfielder Joey Curletta. The 31-year-old Venditte has spent parts of two seasons in the majors with Oakland, Toronto and Seattle. In 41 career appearances, Venditte has 4.97 ERA, 42 strikeouts and 23 walks. But those numbers…

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  • Mar 12, 2017

    Vince Velasquez using spring to work on timing, control

    DUNEDIN, Fla. — Phillies manager Pete Mackanin wants his pitchers to control the running game, and Vince Velasquez is becoming a believer in his teachings. Velasquez said he focused on holding the ball longer and occasionally throwing a quick pitch to disrupt the timing of the runners and batters during his outing Saturday against the Blue Jays. With Blue Jays leadoff…

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  • Mar 12, 2017

    Phillies 8, Blue Jays 2: J.P. Crawford leads Phillies' offensive outburst

    DUNEDIN, Fla. — As J.P. Crawford finishes up his final days before being sent to minor-league camp for the remainder of spring, he is starting to show signs of what he is capable of at the plate. The shortstop prospect went 2 for 2 with two RBIs against the Blue Jays on Saturday. It was part of an impressive power…

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  • Mar 12, 2017

    Clay Buchholz continues work to fine-tune high fastball

    CLEARWATER, Fla. — Clay Buchholz is continuing to refine his latest weapon in the battle to get batters to swing and miss — the high fastball. Buchholz struck out six in 3 1/3 innings of work against the Yankees on Friday. He gave up four hits, including a three-run homer to Chase Headley in the first inning, but he also…

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