Phillies 7, Braves 4: Prospects Fuel a Big Inning

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The Phillies had their biggest inning of the spring Saturday afternoon. They scored six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to rally past the Atlanta Braves, 7-4.
 
The Phillies had six hits and two walks in the inning. Four of the hits were doubles by Jorge Alfaro, Roman Quinn, Andrew Knapp and Chris Coghlan. Aaron Altherr and Dylan Cozens both had singles in the inning and Jesmuel Valentin and Hector Gomez helped fuel the rally with a pair of walks.
 
For the day, the Phils went 6 for 12 with runners in scoring position.
 
Alfaro, Quinn, Cozens and Valentin are all prospects that are expected to open the season at Triple A Lehigh Valley. Knapp is another prospect but it's not yet clear whether he will open the season with the IronPigs or make the big-league roster as a backup catcher/first baseman. Gomez is a minor-league veteran who will likely play third base at Lehigh Valley. Third base is the only position on that team that will not be filled by a prospect.
 
Manager Pete Mackanin has given the youngsters a good look early in the Grapefruit League season and, for the most part, they have responded.
 
"The IronPigs are really carrying this team," Mackanin quipped. "We're sitting back and getting a look at these guys and I like every one of them for different reasons.
 
"We had a lot of big hits today, a lot of doubles. Alfaro hit two laser beams that could have gone through the wall. We had five walks and three of them scored so that's a good sign. We only struck out four times."
 
The Phillies ranked 29th in the majors last season with just 424 walks. They also ranked 29th in on-base percentage at .301 on their way to finishing last in runs scored with 610.
 
Selectivity and plate discipline remain big themes in this camp and there will glimpses of improvement Saturday.
 
Extra bases
Jerad Eickhoff gave up three hits, including a homer, and three runs over three innings of work. He lines up to start the second game of the regular season.
 
Prospect Drew Anderson allowed a solo home run in three innings of work and struck out three. Anderson lines up to start in Double A. (LINK TO EARLIER FEATURE). Mackanin likes what he has seen of the right-hander.
 
"He's a young guys who is poised and throws three good pitches," Mackanin said. "It looks like he's got a chance to be real good."
 
The Phillies play two games Sunday. Prospect Nick Pivetta will pitch against the Orioles in Sarasota before departing to join Team Canada for the WBC. Clay Buchholz will pitch against the Tigers in Clearwater.
 
Alumni Day
Sunday is Alumni Day in Clearwater and more than a dozen former Phillies greats including Mike Schmidt, Larry Bowa, Dick Allen, John Kruk and Ron Clark will on hand for a pre-game honor.