Velasquez Sharp in Rehab, but Threshers Fall 8-1
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Rehabbing Phillies right-hander Vince Velasquez turned in five strong innings in the start, as the Clearwater Threshers suffered an 8-1 loss to the Bradenton Marauders on Thursday night at Spectrum Field.Velasquez took the mound for Clearwater in his third rehab appearance, following stints in Lehigh Valley and
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Rehabbing Phillies right-hander
Velasquez took the mound for Clearwater in his third rehab appearance, following stints in Lehigh Valley and Reading as he works his way back from a right flexor strain. He worked five innings and permitted only one run on two hits and a walk while striking out five. Velasquez, who was working on a 75-pitch limit, exited after 71 pitches, 44 of which were strikes.
Phillies second baseman
Velasquez retired each of the first eight batters on Thursday before issuing a two-out walk to
The only blemish against the Phillies righty was a leadoff home run by
Velasquez's velocity hit as high as 96 mph, but command of his secondary offerings is a high priority for the 25-year-old as he makes his way back to Philadelphia.
"I didn't have my changeup command all of the first half," Velasquez says. "When I had my down time in Reading and in Lehigh Valley, working with the pitching coaches there really helped me out a lot with my secondary pitches.
"On that note, going into this game it was pretty much just the curveball and changeup command, trying to set the hitters off and try to protect my fastball."
Velasquez faced the minimum until the fifth, when George's homer put the Marauders ahead, 1-0.
Bradenton opened it up in the sixth facing
The lone run for Clearwater (48-41, 10-9) came in the seventh, after singles by Deivi Grullon and
The rubber game of the three-game series is set for Friday at 6:15 p.m., as