March 01, 2015
The Phillies lost to the University of Tampa Sunday, a Division II collegiate team.
Despite Phillies starter Paul Clemens pitching two perfect innings, Philadelphia lost, 6-2, in the first spring training game for a major league team this year.
Tampa rallied against the Phillies' bullpen. After right-hander Nefi Ogando issued a bases-loaded walk to tie it in the seventh, Giovanny Alfonzo followed by hitting a grand slam.
Did they field mostly minor league players? Yes. Was it a meaningless exhibition game? Of Course. Is the University of Tampa's team actually pretty good? Sure.
But when your team, four years removed from one of its most successful runs in franchise history, sinks to the depths of Major League Baseball amid bloated contracts and a depleted farm system, logic isn't the best solace.
For Phillies fans on twitter, the game proved to be an exercise in dealing with grief. It was symbolic of of what many believe will be a pretty terrible season, and through social media fans were able to get through all five stages and emotionally prepare for 2015 before the team even plays a game at Citizens Bank Park.
Still love the @Phillies and will continue to watch them and support them. We will be back on top soon.
— Tim Stephan (@EastPhillyTimmy) March 1, 2015
Other than the no-hitter, Cliff Lee's injury, and the general air of hopelessness and doom, I'm feeling pretty good about the Phillies
— Robert Murphy (@zUNr_11WL) March 1, 2015
Still trying to wrap my head around the #Phillies losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers today. #SpringTraining
— Mr. Alacrity (@BrunosShowSheet) March 1, 2015
The #Phillies bout to get beat by Division II college team?? Can we just skip this season?? Ugh.
— Stephen B. Turner (@StephenATurner) March 1, 2015
Wow the Phillies are trash
— MaxO'Neile (@MaxONeile) March 1, 2015
I can't believe the @Phillies lost to a college team. Idgaf if it's spring training. That was a damn college team u lost too. #dissapointed
— Cody⚾️ (@Sweeten25) March 1, 2015
Did anyone make a "could the Taney Dragons beat the #Phillies?" joke yet?
— Broad Street Beat (@BroadStBeat) March 1, 2015
For morale purposes, maybe the Phillies should have scheduled Tampa High School to start spring training instead?
— Stephen Sparks (@StephenASparks) March 1, 2015
At least the Phils didn't lose to a high school!
— Zoo With Roy (@zoowithroy) March 1, 2015
The Phillies are breaking my heart
— Sarah Bennett (@srbennett394) March 1, 2015
The @Phillies lost to @UofTampa today. God help us.
— Carrie Magee (@cbam0912) March 1, 2015
University of Tampa beat the Phillies today.... I'm now embarrassed to be a Phillies fan 🙈
— Taylor Owens (@tayjowens) March 1, 2015
Did the @Phillies actually just lose to a college team by 4 runs? Going to be a loooooong season #brutal
— Stephen Smith (@smitty3000) March 1, 2015
The Phillies lost to a college team, it's gonna be a long year 😒
— Shannon Carroll (@shannoncarroll3) March 1, 2015
Good bye season👋 @Phillies #welosttoacollegeteam #Phillies
— Branan Sipps (@SippsBranan) March 1, 2015
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
