Rincon Has the Big Hit as Phils, Nats Tie 5-5

Infielder Bryan Rincon is not known for his offense. In three minor league full seasons, Rincon has produced a slash line of: .206/.337/.333/.670 with an average of six home runs per season. The 22-year-old struck out 103 times last season with Jersey Shore. Last season Rincon hit just .181 with a .304 OBP but somehow stole 40 bases in 45 attempts.

Monday night in West Palm Beach, Rincon delivered the big hit in a Phillies 5-5 tie against the Washington Nationals. Rincon started the game at short and in the top of the sixth came up with the bases loaded and delivered a three-run double with two outs in the inning. Liover Peguero delivered the only other RBI in the game when he hit into a fielder’s choice with the bases loaded to score Edmundo Sosa, who had two hits in the game. Pedro Leon also had two singles for the Phillies.

Rincon and Peguero are both in camp as non-roster players, and are with the team for their two-day trip to the east coast of Florida.

The Nationals committed four errors in the game to make all four runs unearned for the Phillies.

SCOUTING REPORTS: Daniel Harper, Pedro Leon, Danyony Pulido, Bryan Rincon, Chase Shugart

For the second game in a row the Phillies used 10 pitchers. Alan Rangel got the start and needed 27 pitches to get through the first inning, giving up a hit and two walks that led to one earned run. Chase Shugart, Lou Trivino, and Daniel Harper all threw a clean inning of relief for the Phillies. Right-hander Colin Peluse made it through his inning of work, but allowed a double and a walk to open the inning. Both of those runners later scored on groundball outs. Danyony Pulido was not as lucky. He started the eighth inning and gave up a single and a walk to start the frame. He came back to strikeout the next two batters before giving up a two-run double to Matt Mervis.

Not many of the regular players made the overnight trip that includes a four-hour bus ride each way.