Rays 10, Phillies 1: Another beating; move coming?

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CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The Phillies didn’t exactly leave Florida on a high note.

They were pounded, 10-1, by the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday.

Starter Jerome Williams and closer Jonathan Papelbon gave up all the runs.

Manager Ryne Sandberg was not pleased after the game, which included sloppy defense and base running.

“It wasn’t a good game on the effort side of things,” he said. “One run on a day like this with the wind blowing out is not good.”

The Phillies finished 12-17-2 in Florida (see story). They went 1-7-1 in their last nine games and were outscored 72-27 in that span. Their pitching gave up double-digit runs four times in that span.

Troubling?

“The last week, yeah,” Sandberg said. “We have a couple of games in Philly to straighten it out.”

The Phils host the Pirates in the final two exhibition games on Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

Pitching problems
Williams allowed nine hits and six runs in 5 2/3 innings. Over his last three starts, he was tagged for 28 hits and 14 earned runs in 12 2/3 innings.

“There were times I threw well,” Williams said. “When I gave up runs, the ball was up.

“I was surprised. I’m pretty much a guy who pounds the strike zone down and when I do that I get quick outs and ground ball outs. When I’m up it’s a whole different story. I need to minimize that.

“It’s a little frustrating because I know I’m better than that. In my eyes it’s not acceptable. I will improve. I will force it to happen. It’s all about kicking myself in the butt and doing it right.”

Williams will pitch either the third or fourth game of the season.

“It doesn’t matter,” he declared. “By that time it will be fixed.”

Papelbon had a good spring but it ended with a poor outing — four hits, including a homer, and four runs in the ninth. He got just one out.

Move coming?
It does not appear as if lefty Andy Oliver will win a spot in the bullpen.

According to a major league source, Oliver is on waivers. As a Rule 5 player, he could end up on another major-league roster or be offered back to the Pittsburgh Pirates. If Oliver clears waivers, the Phillies could look to acquire him from Pittsburgh in a trade.

So four days before the opener, the Phillies don’t know the final makeup of their bullpen.

Papelbon, Ken Giles (if healthy), Jake Diekman, Luis Garcia, Justin De Fratus and Jeanmar Gomez appear set.

Cesar Jimenez could make the club as the second lefty, though a late trade or a waiver claim is possible as the Phils look to finalize their bullpen.

Up next
Aaron Harang will start Friday night against the Pirates at Citizens Bank Park. David Buchanan pitches Saturday afternoon.

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