Rhys Hoskins homers, but Phillies fall to Tigers in spring training game

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Tommy Joseph played the outfield on Tuesday for the first time in his life, Rhys Hoskins homered, and Jerad Eickhoff made his first Grapefruit League start as the Phillies fell to Detroit, 11-6.

Here's a look at the game:

Jerad Eickhoff 1.1 innings, 3 hits, 2 earned runs, 0 walks, 3 strikeouts

It was Eickhoff's second start of spring, but first against major-league hitters as he pitched last week in an exhibition against the University of Tampa.  He picked up three of his first four outs on strikeouts.

"It was a challenge but for me it's just about getting out there and getting reps again. That's the biggest thing," Eickhoff said.

[Box score]

Tommy Joseph learned Sunday that he would play left field sometime this week. He practiced in the outfield Monday for a half hour and started there on Tuesday. Joseph survived and even made the first two outs of the game. Joseph made a sliding catch in the third. He played in right field for a batter when the Phillies swapped Joseph and right fielder Collin Cowgill when switchhitter Victor Reyes batted righthanded. The Phillies have shifted their outfielders against almost every batter this spring, but this was new.

"That was pretty neat. That was part of the 'Be Bold' stature that we're working with here," Joseph said. "Trying to be trailblazers when it comes to shifting."

Roman Quinn and Rhys Hoskins both hit their first homers of spring with blasts in the fourth inning. Quinn has impressed this camp and has surprising pop for his 5-foot-10 frame.  It might be difficult to keep him off the Opening Day roster. Hoskins turned on an inside fastball and drove it to left field.

Edubray Ramos struck out three of the five batters he faced in his second appearance of spring. He was a trusty hand in the second half of last season and seems to have a lock on one of the eight spots in the team's bullpen.

The Phillies travel to Dunedin on Wednesday to play the Blue Jays. Vince Velasquez will start. (1:07 p.m., radio stream on MLB.com)

[Phillies schedule]