Notes: Kingery snaps skid; Moore settles in
This browser does not support the video element.
Scott Kingery laced a single to right field in the eighth inning of a 3-1 loss to the Blue Jays on Saturday afternoon at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Fla.
He needed it.
It snapped a 13 at-bat hitless skid, dating to March 11. Kingery is batting .133 (4-for-30) with one double, one home run, one RBI, two walks, 14 strikeouts and a .454 OPS this spring. He is competing for a job in center field, but he is behind Odúbel Herrera (.793 OPS) and Roman Quinn (.793 OPS). Adam Haseley (1.159 OPS) is recovering from a strained left adductor. He has not played since March 4. Mickey Moniak (1.191 OPS) is most likely to open the season in Triple-A.
“It’s important for him to get some success, so he can build off of it,” Phillies manager Joe Girardi said about Kingery.
If Kingery does not win the job in center field, he could have a spot as a utility player. He has options remaining, however.
“He’s working his tail off, trying to make his swing better,” Girardi said. “We will continue to evaluate this until the very end.”
This browser does not support the video element.
Pitching matters
· Left-hander Matt Moore allowed two runs in four innings against the Blue Jays. He allowed three hits and hit a batter in the first, but he settled in after that.
“I started overthrowing just a little bit,” Moore said. “My command was all over the place. As the second and third inning went on, I felt like I was just dialing in a little bit more.”
Moore has a 2.25 ERA in 12 innings this spring, striking out eight and walking two. If everybody is healthy, Moore is line to start the fourth game of the season on April 5 against the Mets.
· Right-hander Archie Bradley’s fastball averaged 94.0 mph, his best velocity of the spring. He pitched a scoreless inning and has allowed just one run in six innings overall.
· Righties Zach Eflin and Spencer Howard are scheduled to throw off a mound Sunday. Both have been sidelined recently with back issues.
This browser does not support the video element.
Feliz finally arrives
Right-hander Neftalí Feliz hoped to use the spring to return to the big leagues for the first time since 2017. Then he had visa issues leaving the Dominican Republic. He finally joined the Phillies this week, which means he has no chance to make the Opening Day roster. Perhaps he can help the Phillies at some point this season, assuming he does not exercise his March 29 opt-out clause and pitches in Triple-A.
“Whenever they give me a chance to be in the big leagues, I’ll be ready,” Feliz said through the team’s interpreter. “I’m just trying to control what I can control, which is preparing myself every day and being ready for that opportunity.”