Halladay struggles against Tigers

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) - March 20, 2010

Halladay (1-1) allowed three runs and six hits, all for extra bases, in five innings of the Philadelphia Phillies' 3-0 loss to the Tigers on Saturday.

The left-hander walked two batters, hit another with a pitch and had no strikeouts.

"I just left some balls over the plate and ran some balls back over the plate," said Halladay, who is set to make his NL debut when Philadelphia opens the season at Washington on April 5.

He gave up all three runs in the second. He hit leadoff batter Brandon Inge, then walked Jeff Larish. Ramon Santiago followed with a triple, and Robinson Diaz made it 3-0 with an infield grounder.

"My curveball wasn't very good. The changeup was real good, though. I was real happy with that. That's the best it's been all spring. But the curveball was kind of nonexistent today."

Brent Dlugach hit two doubles, and Inge, Clete Thomas and Miguel Cabrera each doubled off Halladay.

"It doesn't happen very often. He's working on stuff," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "That's not the Halladay you'll see on Opening Day. But still, that's always a good challenge when you face a guy like that."

Leyland surprised left-handed reliever Fu-Te Ni (1-0) with a starting assignment. He pitched three scoreless innings, allowing only singles by Shane Victorino and Halladay. He struck out one batter without a walk.

Notes: Phillies LHP Jamie Moyer will make his first appearance against major leaguers this spring against Baltimore on Sunday.

Moyer was supposed to pitch in relief of Halladay on Saturday, but manager Charlie Manuel decided to push the 47-year-old back a day for a start against Orioles RHP Kevin Millwood. ... Detroit optioned RHP Alfredo Figaro to Triple-A Toledo. The club also assigned RHP Cody Satterwhite, LHP Andy Oliver, C Mike Rabelo and INFs Kory Casto and Gustavo Nunez to minor-league camp. ... Tigers OF Johnny Damon will make his first visit to Steinbrenner Field since leaving the Yankees during the offseason when New York hosts Detroit on Sunday in Tampa. ... RHP Justin Verlander will start for the Tigers opposite Yankees RHP A.J. Burnett. ... Saturday's crowd of 9,672 was the fourth-largest in Joker Marchant Stadium history.

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