March 19, 2015
Kathy Willens/AP
Cord Phelps high-fives Chase Utley in the dugout during a spring training game in Tampa, Fla., Thursday.
TAMPA, Fla. — Chase Utley had two hits and a walk as the Phillies beat the New York Yankees 7-3 on Thursday night.
Utley, slowed by a right ankle injury, has been limited to designated hitter, but Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said the second baseman is "getting close" to playing defense.
Utley is batting .500 (7 for 14) in five games this spring.
Closer Jonathan Papelbon threw a perfect inning, including a fly to center on a 3-2 pitch to Alex Rodriguez.
A-Rod, who will turn 40 in July and is coming back from a one-year drug suspension, was hitless in three at-bats. He is mired in a 1-for-12 slide and his batting average has dropped from .455 (5 for 11) to .261 (6 for 23).
Yankees manager Joe Girardi said it's still too early to evaluate Rodriguez.
"His at-bats have been pretty decent," Girardi said. "We start getting down to the last 10 days or so, it's really when you start to pay attention. You want to see your guys get to where they need to be."
Aaron Harang allowed two runs and two hits over three innings for Philadelphia. The right-hander had missed two earlier starts due to back soreness.
"I'm not worried about it," Harang said. "Feeling really good the last few days."
Phillies outfielder Domonic Brown came out of the game with left Achilles soreness. He will be examined Friday.
Phillies: Harang threw around 15 additional pitches in the bullpen after his 37-pitch outing.
Yankees: RHP Esmil Rogers, bidding for the fifth starter job, gave up three runs and five hits in 3 1-3 innings.
Phillies: OF Jeff Francoeur (oblique) might play this weekend. ... RHP Chad Billingsley (elbow) is scheduled to pitch in a minor league game Saturday.
Yankees: RHP Jared Burton has a strained lat and will undergo an MRI exam. ... INF Brendan Ryan (strained back) will play for the first time Friday.
Yankees LHP CC Sabathia (knee surgery) is scheduled to make his second start Sunday in Port St. Lucie against Mets RHP Matt Harvey (right elbow surgery) in a matchup of aces coming back from injuries.
Rodriguez and OF Carlos Beltran (elbow surgery) will get extra at-bats in minor league games Sunday and Monday instead of going on a two-day East Coast swing for games against the Mets and Washington Nationals.
There were a number of key performers for the 1984 NL East champion Chicago Cubs among the managers, coaches and broadcasters at the game. They included Sandberg (1984 NL MVP), Rick Sutcliffe (1984 NL Cy Young), shortstop Larry Bowa and pitching coach Billy Connors. The 1984 team made the Cubs' first postseason trip since winning the 1945 NL pennant.
Phillies: RHP Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez will face Pittsburgh RHP Vance Worley on Friday.
Yankees: RHP Adam Warren, a top candidate for the fifth starter spot, will start Friday against Detroit RHP Alfredo Simon. ... Rodriguez will play on the road for the second time since returning from his suspension when the Yankees face the Tigers in Lakeland.
