The 2015 Cy Young winner started his Phillies tenure with 3 straight strikes leading to the Tiger’s JaCoby Jones striking out looking. A similar scene unfolded the next batter. Jamier Candelario went up 2 balls no strikes, but found himself striking out on a foul tip.
This is the pitcher the Phillies paid 3 years $75 million for, great movement and strike out stuff.
He gave up a home run just over the fence in the next at bat….to Miguel Cabrera, one of the sure-fire hall of famers still playing. He finished out his first inning in a Phillies’ uniform with Nick Castellanos flying out harmlessly to Odubel Herrera.
With his stone expression in tact, Arrieta continued into the second inning. Mike Mahtook hit one deep riding the left field line. Speedster Roman Quinn ran over and made the out heading into foul territory. John Hicks was the next victim. He weakly flew out to Pedro Florimon who made the catch in a sliding effort.
The next batter Christin Stewart snuck a single down the left field line and Jose Iglesias doubled to left and drove Stewart home. Jesmuel Valentin made a slick play to end the inning, throwing Dixon Machado out at first.
That would end the day for Jake Arrieta, starting his line in Phillies’ history.
2 Innings Pitched, 3 hits, 2 ER, 2Ks, 1 homer was the final line for Arrieta.
Arrieta showed good feel for his sinker and cutter. Both had good movement which could be seen in the first batter. The called strike three was a sinker fading over the outside corner. Even if Jones had swung, it would’ve just been grounded into the dirt. You can see the pitch sequence here.
Since this was Arrieta’s first start of the spring, it should be taken with a grain of salt. The 3 hits and 2 earned runs don’t matter, but what does is that Arrieta’s pitches looked crisp.
All we can say is “The Presence” is here.
Mandatory Photo Credit: Icon Sportswire via AP Images
