Pro Sports

Chase Utley has 2 hits, Phillies beat Yankees 7-3

Posted March 18, 2015 11:00 pm

By MARK DIDTLER

Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Chase Utley slides into second on Ryan Howard's fifth-inning ground out in an exhibition baseball game against the New York Yankees in Tampa, Fla., Thursday, March 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Chase Utley had two hits and a walk as the Philadelphia 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.

Philadelphia 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.

STARTING TIME

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.

TRAINER'S ROOM

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.

MARQUEE MATCHUP

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.

EXTRA WORK

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.

CUBS CONVENTION

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.

UP NEXT

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.

New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez watches his fourth-inning flyout to Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Ben Revere in an exhibition baseball game in Tampa, Fla., Thursday, March 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Chase Utley hits a first-inning double off New York Yankees relief pitcher Esmil Rogers in an exhibition baseball game in Tampa, Fla., Thursday, March 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

Philadelphia Phillies Carlos Ruiz hits a third-inning, RBI single in an exhibition baseball game against the New York Yankees, in Tampa, Fla., Thursday, March 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

New York Yankees' Chase Headley hits a second-inning solo home run off Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Harang during a spring training exhibition baseball game in Tampa, Fla., Thursday, March 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

New York Yankees catcher Austin Romine has no play as Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Chase Utley (26) scores on Ryan Howard's first-inning, RBI single in an exhibition baseball game in Tampa, Fla., Thursday, March 19, 2015. Philadelphia Phillies on-deck batter Carlos Ruiz, right, reacts. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis (13) kicks his leg up avoiding the sliding New York Yankees runner Ramon Flores (77), after New York Yankees Slade Heathcott hit into a third-inning forceouti n an exhibition baseball game in Tampa, Fla., Thursday, March 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Harang winds up in the second inning of an exhibition baseball game against the New York Yankees in Tampa, Fla., Thursday, March 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

New York Yankees relief pitcher Esmil Rogers wipes his face on his jersey sleeve while pitching on a warm and humid evening in the first inning of an exhibition baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Tampa, Fla., Thursday, March 19, 2015. Rogers allowed three runs on five hits in three and a third-innings. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

Philadelphia Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg hits to his infielders before an exhibition baseball game between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies in Tampa, Fla., Thursday, March 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

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