Phillies ace Roy Halladay took the hill for the first time this spring against his former team on Monday.
And, so far, so good.
Halladay pitched two shutout innings against the Blue Jays leading the Phils over the Toronto Blue Jays 6-3 in Dunedin, Fla.
The defending National League Cy Young Award winner pitched for the Blue Jays from 1998-09, then was traded to the Phillies.
“Just being in the game again is fun,” said Halladay, who led the NL with 21 wins last season. “You can throw as many bullpens and you want but it's always different once you get out there. It's always fun getting back out there.”
Halladay limited the Blue Jays to two singles, striking out one and issuing one walk.
“There's a couple things I want to try,” Halladay said, “but for the most part, the biggest thing is just getting back comfortable… There were times today where I felt good, felt good about the pitches I made, and there were times I felt a long way from where I need to be. Overall, it's about what I expected.”
Doc’s battery-mate Carlos Ruiz had a two-run double in the second inning off Blue Jays starter Jo-Jo Reyes, and Placido Polanco had a two-run single off Carlos Villanueva in a three-run fourth.
J.C. Ramirez relieved Halladay for two scoreless innings, striking out four. Michael Stutes also added two scoreless innings and Matt Anderson added a scoreless eigth inning.
Sports
In partnership with NBC Sports Philadelphia
Mike McCoy doubled off Juan Perez in the seventh to end a 24-inning scoreless streak for the Blue Jays. They added two more in the ninth off Scott Mathieson on Jon Diaz's double, Eric Thames' triple and a sacrifice fly.
Fan, follow and download: Get the latest from NBCPhiladelphia.com anytime, anywhere. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and NBC Philadelphia. Sign up for our sports newsletter. And, get breaking news delivered right to your mobile phone -- just text PHIBREAKING to 639710 to sign up. (Message and data rates may apply.)
