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The Phillies’ bats came alive on Sunday, posting double-digit runs for the third time in the last four games during the 13-5 victory over the Blue Jays at Bright House Field.

Eight of the Phillies’ 14 hits went for extra-bases, including a pair of monster home runs from Dom Brown and Ryan Howard.

Both players have three homers this spring.

Howard, playing in his ninth straight game of the spring, went 1 for 3 with three RBIs. His fifth-inning homer gave the Phillies the lead for good as the ball sailed over the far fence separating the confines of the stadium and the edge of US-19.

“He’s starting to swing it good,” Manuel said about Howard. “He’s getting his legs underneath him and he’s feeling better.”

The Phillies had multi-hit games from Ender Inciarte, Tommy Joseph, Michael Martinez, Kevin Frandsen and Yuniesky Betancourt. Outfielder Darin Ruf, however, went 0 for 5 with a pair of strikeouts and is batting .143 (3 for 23) this spring.

No big deal, says Manuel.

“He just needs to hit a couple of balls good and have them fall for him,” Manuel said.

Ruf has been focused on learning how to play left field and Manuel suspects that the crash course in the outfield could be affecting him at the plate. Another theory offered by the manager is that sometimes players just don’t perform well in spring training. Those same players always seem to be ready when the bell rings on opening day, Manuel said.

“We were releasing Aaron Rowand every day,” Manuel said of the former Phillie notorious for his springtime woes.

Following four innings from Aaron Cook, relievers Justin De Fratus, Antonio Bastardo, J.C. Ramirez and Joe Savery combined to allow just one hit and one run in the final five innings.

De Fratus pitched a perfect fifth inning and the lefty Savery pitched the final 1 2/3 innings of the game, striking out three.

In Sarasota, the Phillies’ split-squad lost to the Orioles, 12-3. Mike Young and Freddy Galvis homered, but the Orioles cashed in on four home runs of their own, including a pair from Connor Jackson.

Next up
The Phillies travel to Bradenton on Monday to face the Pirates at 1:05 p.m. John Lannan, Adam Morgan, Raul Valdes and Mike Adams are scheduled to pitch for the Phillies.

Ryan Howard will play in his 10th consecutive game.