OH! So THIS is why the Phillies kept Brown. You have to admit it, that no matter what happens with the numerous prospects the Phillies traded away in both the Lee and Halladay deals, it clearly looks like they kept the best of the crop. Yesterday, in the Phils 6-1 win against the Tigers, Brown continued to show why he looks like a lock to become a major league all-star. Brown finished the day with this incredible line: 3 for 4, with a single, 2 home runs, 2 runs scored, 4 RBI, and walk. Even more impressive, Brown hit both of his bombs off of Tigers ace Justin Verlander, one of last years Cy Young candidates. With this performance, Domonic raised his spring batting average to .417. Ryan Howard also blasted his first home run of the spring, served up by Verlander as well.
Lost in the amazing game that Brown had was another strong outing by Cole Hamels. In five innings pitched, Hamels only allowed one unearned run and struck out four. He allowed 2 hits and no walks. The tigers would fail to score off of the other four Phils pitchers as well. B.J. Rosenberg, Danys Baez, Antonio Bastardo, and Ryan Madson all pitched a shutout inning a piece, while combining to strikeout four.
For their efforts, Brown and Rosenberg were sent down to the minors after the game. This isn't a surprise. You don't want to stunt the development of Brown and he's not going to get regular at bats once the season starts. It wouldn't surprise me to see him get called up if there is an injury, to be used in interleague play, or before the rosters expand in September so that he's eligible for the playoffs.
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