Phillies and Braves play to 7-7 tie in 9 innings

[April 02, 2012]  KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) -- For Cliff Lee, it is time to clear out of Florida.

The Philadelphia lefty made his final exhibition start Sunday, allowing one run over four innings as the Phillies and Atlanta Braves played to a 7-all tie.

The game was called after nine innings.

Lee, set to pitch Saturday at Pittsburgh in the Phillies' second regular season game, allowed five hits and walked one.

"I am ready to go," Lee said. "I started a little stiff but it's been a long spring and I am just ready for the season."

Lee went 17-8 with a 2.40 ERA for the Phillies last season. He showed consistency in spring training, finishing with a 2.45 ERA.

Roy Halladay will pitch the opener for Philadelphia. Lee has no problem watching from the bench.

"It doesn't matter to me where I start in this rotation," Lee said. "I am not looking at it as any kind of competition. I am out there to attack."

Julio Teheran, trying to win the final spot in Atlanta's rotation, saw his spring ERA climb to 9.37 after giving up four earned runs in 3 1-3 innings.

Teheran, the Braves' top pitching prospect, is competing with rookie Randall Delgado. The Braves signed veteran Livan Hernandez on Friday as a spot starter after he was released by Houston.

Earlier this week, manager Fredi Gonzalez said the first four spots have been set with Tommy Hanson, Jair Jurrjens, Mike Minor and Brandon Beachy. Delgado is 1-4 with a 7.89 ERA this spring.

The Braves trailed 7-3 entering the bottom of the ninth before Josh Wilson hit a two-run homer. After Tyler Pastornicky scored on a double play to make it 7-6, Eric Hinske doubled in Luis Durango to tie it.

NOTES: Braves OF Jason Heyward left after the third inning with what Gonzalez described as cramps in his upper left leg. ... Gonzalez said IF/OF Martin Prado may take over in left field if newly acquired 3b Juan Francisco is ready to play third while 3B Chipper Jones rehabs from his injured right knee. ... Phillies RHPs Jose Contreras and Michael Stutes are likely to start the regular season on the disabled list. Contreras is recovering from right elbow surgery and Stutes is dealing with shoulder inflammation.

[Associated Press]

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