Major League Baseball

Velasquez makes case for Phillies rotation is win vs. Jays

Published Mar. 12, 2016 5:16 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) Philadelphia Phillies starting pitching hopeful Vince Velasquez allowed two runs in four innings in an 8-5 win Saturday against a Toronto Blue Jays' star-studded lineup.

Velasquez gave up a booming single off the right field wall to American League MVP Josh Donaldson in the first inning but responded by getting Jose Bautista on a foul out and Troy Tulowitzki on a strikeout to end any possible threat. In the third, Velasquez set the same trio down 1-2-3 in a perfect inning.

The right-hander struggled with fastball command, particularly against the bottom of the Blue Jays' order. Velasquez is competing with left-handers Brett Oberholtzer and Adam Morgan for the fifth spot in the Phillies' starting rotation.

J.P. Arencibia and David Lough each hit two-run home runs and Obubel Herrera went 2-of-3 with an RBI to fuel the Phillies' offense.

share

Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Major League Baseball