CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Shortstop Yunel Escobar's grand slam capped a six-run second inning and the Braves battered Francisco Rosario in a 9-1 victory over the Phillies.
Rosario, trying to nail down the Phillies' fifth starter job, did himself no favors. The righty, who entered the game with a 1.04 ERA in 8 2-3 innings out of the bullpen, became erratic and ineffective in the second inning. He yielded six runs and three hits, two walks and also hit two batters.
Atlanta fill-in starter Royce Ring allowed one run and three hits in two innings of work to earn the win. Ring was given the start when Braves manager Bobby Cox decided to hold veteran Tim Hudson back.
Cox's Braves improved to 10-5-2 in Grapefruit League play. The defending National League East champion Phillies dropped to 5-11-1.
After today's game, Manuel said his team needs to step it up for the remainder of the spring schedule. Philadelphia has dropped nine of 11 after starting 3-2-1.
Friday
March 21st, 2025
7:25AM
