Phillies 2 - 3 Rangers
Final
  for this game

Phils, Rangers try to follow up high-scoring opener

Apr 1, 2014 - 2:32 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Veteran right-hander A.J. Burnett makes his Philadelphia debut on Tuesday when the Phillies visit Globe Life Park for game two of an already offense-heavy season-opening series with the Texas Rangers.

Philadelphia won a wild opener on Monday, as Cody Asche finished a triple shy of the cycle and scored four times, Jimmy Rollins slugged a grand slam and the Phillies produced their most runs on Opening Day since 1900 with a 14-10 victory over the Rangers.

Rollins' bases-loaded blast in the second was his 200th career home run and highlighted a six-run frame for the Phillies, who pounded out 17 hits and racked up their most runs on Opening Day since posting a 19-17 victory over the Boston Beaneaters in 1900.

Burnett, who debuted with the then-Florida Marlins 15 years ago, spent the last two seasons in Pennsylvania with the Pittsburgh Pirates, going 26-21 in 61 starts after spending three largely forgettable seasons with the New York Yankees.

He came to the Phillies after accepting a deal that will pay him $15 million for the 2014 season and could add another $15 million next year if the team picks up an option to extend the pact. If Philadelphia declines, Burnett can trigger an option to stay and earn $7.5 million or agree to a $1 million buyout.

The Arkansas native has made 13 career appearances - including 12 starts - against the Rangers while winning five of eight decisions and posting a 3.94 earned run average.

He's 3-1 in seven career starts at Texas.

The Rangers will oppose him with soon-to-be 23-year-old Venezuelan southpaw Martin Perez, who'll celebrate a birthday on Friday.

The undrafted signee debuted in the majors at age 21 in 2012 and was 1-4 12 appearances with a 5.45 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 38 innings of work. He returned last season to make 20 starts and wound up winning 10 of 16 decisions while paring the ERA to 3.62 in 124 1/3 innings with 84 strikeouts.

Opponents hit .267 off him and he walked 37 batters while allowing 15 home runs.

Perez, who's never faced the Phillies, is 4-6 in 17 appearances at home.

Philadelphia starter Cliff Lee (1-0) was the beneficiary of the offensive outburst on Monday, as he picked up the win despite being hammered for eight runs on 11 hits over five frames. The victory was the first on Opening Day for Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg, who replaced Charlie Manuel with 42 games to go last season.

Texas' Alex Rios stroked a three-run homer among his three hits and scored three times, while Josh Wilson went 2-for-3 with three RBI for the Rangers, who went 91-72 last season but missed out on the postseason for the first time in four years.

Rangers first baseman Prince Fielder, whom the team acquired for second baseman Ian Kinsler in a blockbuster trade with the Detroit Tigers over the winter, finished 1-for-5 with a run scored in the setback.

Tanner Scheppers made his first career start for the Rangers, but was shelled for seven runs on eight hits over four innings. Pedro Figueroa (0-1) was pegged with the loss after giving up four runs on four hits in 1 2/3 frames.

This is the first series between these teams since Philly took two of three back in 2011.






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