Rays Over Phillies 4-1, Oswalt Not Seriously Injured

During the 4th inning, Phillies pitcher Roy Oswalt took a looper from Manny Ramirez to the side of the neck. Oswalt was both responsive and able to get up at his own will. He laid on the the mound for a few minutes after the hit, but it appeared only precautionary. After x-rays, Oswalt does not appear seriously injured. 

Video:

Roy Oswalt Hit by Manny Ramirez Line-Drive (via Rappaone)

James Sheilds was lights out through seven innings with four strikeouts, surrendering four hits and allowing no runs. The Rays were close to a shut out until (bullpen hopeful) Cesar Cabral took the mound, allowing 2 hits and 2 walks in the ninth. The Rays won 4-1.

Notes:

• Evan Longoria hit a solo homerun off Oswalt in the fourth.
• The first 5 batters to face Oswalt all made contact with the first pitch. This aggressive approach produced doubles from Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez, scoring one run. Oswalt would strike out the side in the second, but the trend would continue the entire game. 
• Andy Sonnanstine pitched the eighth well with no hits or walks. 
• Cabral's performance in the ninth does not bode well on his attempts to make the 25-man roster and receive a slot in the bullpen. Considering how long the Rays have held on to this Rule 5 draft pick, one could speculate the front office is trying to complete a trade to keep the hard throwing 22 year old. That said, his performance is not yet up to snuff.
• From Joe Maddon's twitter: "Manny looked like Pedro Rosa with that headfirst slide into second today."

Oswalt Catches A Comebacker On The Neck, Leaves Early

A Manny Ramirez liner caught Roy Oswalt on the back of the neck with no outs in the fourth inning. Oswalt laid motionless on the mound for a few moments as the medical staff rushed out to him. He walked away from the injury, but will likely undergo some precautionary tests.

Meanwhile, James Shields finished 7 strong innings, collecting 4 strikeouts while allowing 4 hits and 1 walk. By the bottom of the 7th, manager Joe Maddon has pulled most of the Rays starters.

Game Preview: James Sheilds Vs Roy Oswalt At 1:05

Coming off a solid win over the Red Sox, the Spring Training Rays look to take down the Philadelphia Phillies today in Port Charlotte.

James Sheilds, our second day starter, will take the mound. Also pitching, Rule 5 draftee Cesar Cabral (LHP) and Rob Delaney (RHP). Both men are hoping to make the bullpen as one-out men.

The Lineup: via Marc Topkin

Zobrist rf
Damon lf
Longoria 3b
Ramirez dh
D Johnson 1b
Upton cf
Lopez 2b
Shoppach c
E johnson ss    

The front four should be our normal top of the lineup. It will be interesting to see Dan Johnson hitting 5th, as situationally that position is prime for RBIs.

The Phillies will put Roy Oswalt on the mound. A veteran like Sheilds, it will be fun to see how many hit we can gather from the Philly 3rd starter. 

Recently cut, former NY Metropolitan Luis Castillo (a no show earlier this week for the Phillies) will be in the line up at second base for the Phillies.

John Jaso is still out after a contusion to the groin, which sounds terribly painful. He may miss opening day, according to Topkin, which may bring Chirinos to the 25 man roster!