CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Asked about Ryan Howard’s fourth-inning homer that accounted for the Phillies' only two runs in their 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays Friday, manager Ryne Sandberg said, “You know what? He’s looked the most comfortable the last couple of days.”
“The things I’ve been working on are starting to come through,” Howard said.
He drove Chris Archer's changeup into the wind for his first HR of the spring.
“I felt I was seeing the ball a lot better," Howard added. "It’s still a work in progress but I’m happy with where I’m at right now.
“My job is to try to produce and drive in runs."
Howard is 5 for 25 (.200) this spring with a homer and three RBIs.
Biddle claims first spring win
In what may have been his final appearance in big-league camp this spring, pitching prospect Jesse Biddle turned in two scoreless innings in relief of Joely Rodriguez Friday, limiting the Rays to two hits, to pick up his first spring win.
“Jitters? I still have them. I’m not going to lie,” Biddle said. “Pitching in front of all these fans (9,338 on Friday) is exciting.
“I’m not worried about going down to minor-league ball. Every year is bigger than the last. I’m just having fun playing ball again. It’s great.”