Sister Kisser in Clearwater

Detroit Tigers right fielder Nate Schierholtz legs out an infield hit in the first inning Thursday as Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola awaits the throw. (photo Buck Davidson)

Clearwater, Fla. — The Philadelphia Phillies and Detroit Tigers battled to a 6-6 tie Thursday in a spring training game at Bright House Field in Clearwater. The Phils had a one-run lead heading into the ninth inning, but the Tigers plated a pair of runs – and then saw that lead evaporate with one swing of a Philadelphia bat in the bottom of the frame. The tie was likely rather disappointing for the Tigers, who pounded out 16 hits on the day. Unfortunately, the team was just 3-for-20 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12 ducks on the pond.

Philadelphia starting pitcher Aaron Nola survived a bases-loaded jam in the top of the first, and then watched as teammate Maikel Franco put the Phillies on the board with a two-run homer in the bottom of the frame. The Tigers answered with a two-run blast of their own in the top of the third, courtesy of catcher James McCann. Detroit tacked on a single run in the top of the fourth, but once again Franco stepped up and delivered for Philly: his second two-run shot of the game put Philadelphia up by a run at the end of the fourth inning. Detroit tied the game in the fifth thanks to a botched run-down play, which was not scored as an error but still represented some sloppy work by the Philadelphia defense.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola endured a rather shaky outing against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday. (photo Buck Davidson)

The Phillies took the lead in the bottom of the sixth: Darnell Sweeney led off the inning with a double, and he scored when Tigers’ left fielder Steven Moya bobbled Angelys Nina’s single. That cushion held up until the top of the ninth, when Mike Gerber led off with a triple against Philadelphia reliever Ernesto Frieri and scored on Austin Green’s sacrifice fly to right field. One out later, Tommy Field lofted a solo homer that just cleared the wall in left field. The Phillies were far from finished, though: Ryan Jackson led off the bottom of the ninth with his first homer of the spring, tying the game and robbing Detroit lefty Kevin Ziomek of the opportunity for a save.

Nola struggled through a rather rough outing in his two and two-thirds innings of work, allowing four hits, two earned runs, a walk and a hit batsman. On the day, Nola threw 65 pitches, 45 of which were strikes. Offensively, Franco’s two homers and four RBIs led the way for Philadelphia, while Sweeney went 1-1, was hit by a pitch and scored a pair of runs.

Tigers starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann allowed two home runs to Franco, which made for a rather forgettable stat line. The former Washington National threw 49 pitches on the day, 33 of which were strikes. Besides McCann’s two-run homer, the Tigers’ highlights included three hits and a stolen base by shortstop Jose Iglesias, and two hits, a steal and a run scored by outfielder Wynton Bernard.

Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias steals second base Thursday as the throw eludes Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis. (photo Buck Davidson)

The Phillies will travel to Lake Buena Vista for a date with the Atlanta Braves on Friday, March 11, and then the Phils return home to host the Toronto Blue Jays Saturday, March 12 at Bright House Field.

Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco watches as his first-inning two-run homer against the Detroit Tigers leaves the ballpark. (photo Buck Davidson)

Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias is hit by a pitch in the second inning of Thursday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies. (photo Buck Davidson)