Pages

Chachi Checklists

Season Summaries

Virtual Wall Archive

Vintage Phillies Team Sets

Monday, March 25, 2013

2013 Topps #83 Darin Ruf

Phillies 7, Braves 6
Spring Training Game 26 - Friday Afternoon, March 22nd in Clearwater
Record - 12-13-1

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies defeated the Braves behind a walk-off home run from Darin Ruf.

What It Means:  For Ruf, it meant a day of extremes.  Not 20 minutes after celebrating his walk-off homer, he was notified he would start the season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

What Went Right:  Prospect Adam Morgan was called on to start this game, and he pitched well.  Morgan allowed a run on four hits in his 4 2/3 innings while striking out five.  Erik Kratz went 3 for 4 with a home run and 3 RBIs.

Featured Card:  It makes sense for Ruf to get more experience in the minors, and the Phillies plan to use him as the starting left fielder for the IronPigs.  Ruf struggled at the plate this spring and his defense was a daily adventure.  I have no doubt we'll see him in Philly again soon.  This is Ruf's official rookie card and his first official Topps card.

Camp Head Count:  35 minus 2 = 33.  Along with Ruf, outfielder Jermaine Mitchell was reassigned to minor league camp.  Pitcher Rodrigo Lopez, reassigned to minor league camp on Tuesday, was released.

Both Delmon Young (disabled list) and Carlos Ruiz (restricted list) will miss the start of the season.  So that leaves 31 players in camp vying for 25 roster spots.

No comments:

Post a Comment