SPRING TRAINING Indians spoil Phillies' new stadium debut

Former Indian Jim Thome got the first hit, a home run, in the 6-5 loss.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia got almost everything it wanted in the first game at its new home -- except for a win.
The Cleveland Indians spoiled the first event at Citizens Bank Park with a 6-5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday.
The outcome didn't seem to matter for the sellout crowd getting the first look at the ballpark.
Fan favorite Jim Thome picked up where he left off last year when he led the National League in home runs (47), smashing a solo shot in the first inning for the first hit.
Pat Burrell added a three-run homer in the fifth inning, but the Indians went ahead for good when Chris Clapinski hit a homer off Rheal Cormier leading off the seventh.
Veterans Stadium, the Phillies' home for the last 33 years, closed for good last year with an emotional sendoff that brought back popular Phillies. The stadium was imploded last month and the rubble still sits just a few blocks away from the new park.
Sits in South Philly
City officials approved a financing plan for a new ballpark in December 2000 and, after talk of building it downtown, work began in the same South Philadelphia complex that's also home to the Eagles, Flyers and 76ers. The overall cost of preparing the stadium site and building the new park topped out at $458 million.
The intimate baseball-only ballpark mixed modern conveniences with old-time charm. Real grass, an open-air stadium with a splendid view of Center City, wider seats angled toward home plate and more concession choices with a local flavor made the ballpark a hit with fans.
"It's similar to the Vet. You have to hit it to get it out," Thome said.
No problem for Thome.
This was only the dress rehearsal. The ballpark has its official opening April 12th when Cincinnati visits.
Thome played his second exhibition game against the Indians since leaving as a free agent after the 2002 season. Thome hit .287 with 334 homers and 927 RBIs in 12 years with Cleveland. He talked with a few former teammates during batting practice and shared a hug with shortstop Omar Vizquel.
"I've got a lot of friends over there. I respect that organization a lot," Thome said.
Pirates 7, Twins 4
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Hours after learning he'd won a spot in Pittsburgh's rotation, Ryan Vogelsong capped a solid spring with four strong innings in the Pirates' victory.
The right-hander gave up one run and struck out seven in the final four innings for the win. He finished spring training with a 2.05 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings.
"He was probably our best starter in spring training and he deserved an opportunity to start," Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon said. "He kept up his end of the bargain, so we kept up ours."
McClendon said he was leaning toward starting Vogelsong on Thursday against Philadelphia.
Twins starter Carlos Silva allowed three runs and four hits in four innings.
Despite the loss, Minnesota wrapped up one of its best Grapefruit League seasons. The Twins finished spring training 20-11.