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Girardi back in Bronx for exhibition ahead of Phillies debut

Posted July 20, 2020 7:00 am

By RONALD BLUM

Philadelphia Phillies manager Joe Girardi leans against the stands during batting practice before an exhibition baseball game against his former team, the New York Yankees, Monday, July 20, 2020, at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) - Joe Girardi's new path was evident Monday. And unfamiliar.

So was the result.

Girardi's Philadelphia Phillies tied the New York Yankees 2-2 Monday night in a preseason exhibition after Mauricio Llovera allowed a solo home run in the ninth to pinch hitter Mike Ford.

A tie was not what he had envisioned.

'œThat doesn't happen in real baseball,'ť said Girardi, who started his day by watching a simulated intrasquad game. 'œBut, obviously, we've got a long trip back, and we've had a long day of baseball.'ť

About to start his first season as Philadelphia's manager, he was at Yankee Stadium for a prep ahead of his team's pandemic-delayed opener Friday at home against Miami. He had been back just once since he was cut loose by the Yankees, for an appearance.

'œI always came in through the garage, down the stairs, into the home clubhouse,'ť he said. 'œWe came through the loading dock and from center field all the way around. So that was different.'ť

Not everything was a change.

'œI did see a lot of familiar faces in Lou Cucuzza and and his clubhouse staff,'ť he said, referring to New York's director of clubhouse operations. 'œSo that seemed kind of normal. But you're on the opposite side, and it's different.'ť

After winning three World Series titles as a catcher with the Yankees, Girardi began his managing career in 2006 with the Marlins, led the team to a 78-84 record and was fired - before he was voted NL Manager of the Year.

He was hired by the Yankees after the 2007 season to replace Joe Torre, managed New York to its 27th title in 2009 and was let go by the Yankees after the 2017 season. He decade-long record in New York was 910-710 but resulted in just one pennant.

Girardi was hired by the Phillies during the offseason to replace Gabe Kapler and was reunited with shortstop Didi Gregorius, who left the Yankees and agreed to a $14 million, one-year deal.

'œHe's played extremely well, especially in this 2.0, as we call it,'ť Girardi said. 'œI think he's grown really fond of his teammates and his teammates love him.'ť

Gregorius spoke with old teammates before the game, then went 1 for 3 in the tie. He doubled and scored in the first off prospect Deivi Garcia and was replaced by another popular ex-New York player, Ronald Torreyes.

Aaron Judge hit a fifth-inning home run off Vince Velasquez, a 428-field, opposite-field drive into the right-field seats for his third homer in two games since returning from a broken rib. Judge was unsure whether to circle the bases because he was allowed to bat with three outs - DJ LeMahieu had hit into an inning-ending double play but the Phillies wanted Velasquez to face one more batter.

Garcia, a hard-throwing 21-year-old right-hander, rose last year from Class A to Double-A and then Triple-A, where he struggled. He lasted 1 2/3 innings and 46 pitches against Philadelphia, allowing two runs, four hits and two walks with one strikeout - of Jean Segura in the first.

JT Realmuto hit a run-scoring double in the first. Roman Quinn's RBI single in the second was an unearned run because of Garcia's throwing error on a pickoff attempt to first.

TOP OF THE ORDER

LeMahieu was 0 for 3, was grazed on a thigh by a Valasquez pitch and played six innings at second base in his second game back from a positive test for the coronavirus.

'œI'm going to push for opening day,'ť he said. 'œPhysically feel really good. A couple of good at-bats, so just keep it rolling.'ť

JUST IN CASE

Velasquez gave up four hits in five innings, struck out six and walked one, retiring 10 straight in a stretch.

'œThe fifth spot in the rotation is there for the taking,'ť he said.

Velasquez's routine was adjusted, putting the 28-year-old right-hander in position to start this weekend if new Phillies teammate Zack Wheeler goes on paternity leave.

'œVince has been really impressive in his 2.0,'ť Girardi said. 'œThe four-pitch mix helps you get through lineups the second and third time.'ť

OUCH

Phillies third baseman Segura left the game in the second inning after he was hit on the left hand by Garcia. There was no X-ray technician at Yankee Stadium.

'œJean was pretty confident that he was OK,'ť Girardi said.

ROSTER

Phillies RHP Anthony Swarzak was released from his minor league contract.

___

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Philadelphia Phillies manager Joe Girardi, third from right, talks to his coaches during an exhibition baseball game against his former team, the New York Yankees, Monday, July 20, 2020, at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

Philadelphia Phillies manager Joe Girardi, left, approaches first base as a trainer examines Phillies Jean Segura (2) for an injury after he was hit by a pitch thrown by New York Yankees starting pitcher Deivi Garcia during the second inning of an exhibition baseball game, Monday, July 20, 2020, at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

Philadelphia Phillies Didi Gregorius hits a double during the first inning an exhibition baseball game against the New York Yankees, Monday, July 20, 2020, at Yankee Stadium in New York. Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez (24) is behind the plate. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

Philadelphia Phillies Didi Gregorius runs on a double during the first inning an exhibition baseball game against the New York Yankees, Monday, July 20, 2020, at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

Philadelphia Phillies Didi Gregorius (18) trots past New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez as he scores on J.T. Realmuto's first-inning, RBI double in an exhibition baseball game, Monday, July 20, 2020, at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

Philadelphia Phillies Roman Quinn hits an RBI single during the second inning of an exhibition baseball game against the New York Yankees, Monday, July 20, 2020, at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

Philadelphia Phillies' Vince Velasquez pitches during an intrasquad baseball game Tuesday, July 14, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) The Associated Press

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Vince Velasquez winds up during the first inning of an exhibition baseball game against the New York Yankees, Monday, July 20, 2020, at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

CORRECTS INNING TO FIFTH NOT SIXTH - New York Yankees' Aaron Judge looks to the outfield after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of an exhibition baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Monday, July 20, 2020, at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

New York Yankees' Aaron Judge runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of an exhibition baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Monday, July 20, 2020, at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

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