Phillies’ rookie impressive in debut

Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA

Jimmy Rollins hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the sixth, Jonathan Pettibone had an impressive major league debut and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 Monday night.

Pettibone allowed two runs and six hits, striking out six in 51/3 innings. The righty was pulled after 83 pitches and didn’t get a decision.

Pedro Alvarez and Russell Martin hit solo homers for the Pirates.

On a chilly night when the temperature dipped below 50 degrees, the Phillies scratched out their second straight win to improve to 9-11.

Pirates starter A.J. Burnett gave up two runs and five hits, fanning seven in five innings. Jared Hughes (1-2) retired the first two batters he faced in the sixth before running into trouble.

Hughes walked Erik Kratz. Pinch-hitter Ezequiel Carrera then reached on an infield single, diving headfirst into first base. Rollins followed with a line-drive single to right that scored Kratz.

Raul Valdes (1-0) got two outs in the sixth to earn the win. Antonio Bastardo worked the seventh, Mike Adams tossed a perfect eighth and Jonathan Papelbon finished for his fourth save in four tries.

Garrett Jones hit a one-out double off Papelbon, but Neil Walker flied out to right and Papelbon struck out Alvarez looking to end it. Papelbon is 55 for 55 in save chances in April.

Filling in for injured lefty John Lannan, the 22-year-old Pettibone was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley after going 0-2 with a 9.20 ERA in three starts.

He fared better against big league batters.

“My game plan was to be aggressive, go after guys,” he said. “I have to pitch to my strengths. Once I got on the mound, the nerves were flying. Once I settled down, I got in a rhythm.”

Pedro Alvarez and Russell Martin hit solo homers for the Pirates.

“We have to win the one-rung games,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said.