Double-A Squad Soars Past Jays 12-3 Monday

Tyson Gillies went 2-2 with two runs scored, a triple, and two RBIs, Josh Zeid started and tossed two scoreless innings, and the Phillies Double-A squad pulverized the Toronto Blue Jays Double-A team 12-3 in Clearwater on Monday afternoon in the first of 18 spring games.

A native of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Gillies hit .357 through seven games in May last season, before being placed on the disabled list with a left hamstring strain – one which would eventually sideline him for the remainder of the season (he played in just 26 games for the R-Phils in 2010).

On Monday afternoon, in the first Spring Training game of the season for the organization’s Minor League players, Gillies started in center field, hit leadoff and made something happen in each of his at-bats – perhaps a sign of things to come this season. Originally acquired by the Philadelphia Phillies in the Cliff Lee trade with Seattle on 12/16/09, Gillies is full of potential.

In 2009, as a member of the Seattle Mariners organization, Gillies hit an impressive .341 with nine home runs, 104 runs scored, and 42 RBIs for Double-A High Desert. He was named California League Player of the Week twice and had a season-high 18-game hit streak from 7/17-8/6. He was equally impressive on the base paths – finishing second in the league and first among Seattle minor leaguers with 44 stolen bases.

The potential is there for Gillies, and he’s just 22 years-old. There’s reason to believe that 2011 season will be a very positive one for the youngster.

Also on Monday, Joe Savery, who posted a 12-4 mark with a 4.41 ERA for the R-Phils in 2009, was solid at the dish for the Double-A squad. Savery, who has converted to a hitter full-time this season, went 3-3 with a double and three RBIs. Last season, the product of Rice University, posted a 1-12 mark with a 4.66 ERA for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. As a hitter, he hit an impressive .348 with one home run and six RBIs in 46 at-bats. It will be interesting to see where Savery begins the 2011 campaign.

Spring Phillers… Stephen Susdorf (2-5), Darin Ruf (2-3), Fidel Hernandez (2-5), and Francisco Diaz (2-3), each had two hits in the contest… Ruf homered and had two RBIs… Sebastien Boucher went 1-2 with three walks and three runs scored… Cody Overbeck, who hit 13 home runs with the R-Phils in 2010, went 0-2. He reached base twice however, one via walk, and the other via a hit-by-pitch… Trevor May and Justin Friend each tossed two scoreless innings… Baseball America ranked May as the fifth-best prospect in the Phillies organization.