Park makes case for spot in Phillies’ rotation

Posted Mar 30, 2009 by TBO.com

Updated Mar 30, 2009 at 08:17 PM

CLEARWATER - Chan Ho Park made his final bid for the No. 5 spot in the Philadelphia Phillies’ rotation, working effectively into the sixth inning of a 13-3 win over the Houston Astros on Monday.

Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Eric Bruntlett all home runs off Houston starter Mike Hampton. Carlos Ruiz also homered, in the sixth inning off of Wesley Wright.

Park allowed two runs — one earned — on six hits in 5 2-3 innings. The 35-year-old right-hander finished his spring campaign with a 2.45 ERA in five games.

“He pitched good,” Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel said. “He did a good job.”

Whether it was good enough to win a spot in the rotation is still undecided. Park is competing with rookie left-hander J.A. Happ, who has a 3.15 ERA in six games.

“We haven’t made up our mind yet,” Manuel said. “Both have pitched pretty good.”

Ohlendorf sharp, Pirates beat Reds
BRADENTON -  Ross Ohlendorf is proving that the Pittsburgh Pirates were right about him.

The Pirates got the right-handed reliever from the Yankees as part of the trade for Xavier Nady last July, then put him in the rotation for the rest of the season. They kept him there this spring, and he provided more evidence on Monday that it was the right move.

Ohlendorf pitched into the sixth inning, allowing only a run set up by a flyball lost in the sun, and the Pirates’ reserves rallied in the ninth inning for a 3-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

Ohlendorf gave up only three hits during 5 1-3 innings, another solid showing. Overall this spring, the right-hander has allowed only two earned runs in 20 2-3 innings.

“I’m really excited about the regular season, but I’m still getting things out of these games,” Ohlendorf said. “I want to show them why I feel I deserve to be in the rotation. I want to make their decision look good.”

Galarraga strikes out nine in Tigers victory
VIERA - Armando Galarraga struck out nine in five innings, Clete Thomas and Ryan Raburn homered and the Detroit Tigers beat the Washington Nationals 3-2 on Monday.

Galarraga allowed two runs and two hits while walking one.

“I thought he was very sharp,” Tigers manger Jim Leyland said. “He used his pitches extremely well, and he looked very comfortable doing it.”

Trailing 2-0, Raburn homered off Shairon Martis leading off the third inning. Brent Clevlen followed with a single then Thomas connected for a two-run shot.

Martis pitched 4 1-3 innings, allowing three runs and four hits with five strikeouts and a walk.

A day after being named Washington’s No. 4 starter, Martis struggled with his control, throwing 94 pitches, 60 for strikes.

AP Wires were used in this report.