Cole Hamels Looks Strong In First Spring Training Start

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Left-hander Cole Hamels pitched two scoreless innings in his Grapefruit League debut Friday in a 4-1 loss to a New York Yankees split squad.

Hamels allowed one hit, struck out two batters and did not surrender a walk on 31 pitches at Bright House Field. Rain forced a 50-minute delay in the bottom of the third in the scoreless game.

Yankees starter Bryan Mitchell was just as effective in his two innings. The right hander gave up a single but ended the first inning with a double play and then struck out two in the second, his final inning.

The Yankees scored three runs off Philadelphia reliever Mike Nesseth in the fourth, sending nine batters to the plate. Greg Bird, Ramon Flores and Didi Gregorius all drove in a run during the inning.

New York added a run in the eighth against Phillies reliever Ken Giles, who struggled to locate his pitches, on Nick Noonan's RBI double.

Xavier Paul hit a solo homer in the seventh for the Phillies.