CLEARWATER, Fla. — Brandon Beachy pitched three no-hit innings in his second start since having shoulder surgery in September and B.J. Upton doubled among his two hits for the Atlanta braves, who tied the Philadelphia Phillies 2-2 Wednesday.
Beachy's outing was a significant improvement over his first outing, when he gave up five hits and two runs in 1 2-3 innings against Houston.
Upton is trying to rebound from a horrid first season in Atlanta. He hit .184 in 126 games after signing for five years and $75 million.
Kevin Frandsen drove in Bobby Abreu in the fourth inning for the Phillies' first run. Frandsen was 2 for 3. Sean O'Sullivan pitched three shutout innings despite giving up three hits and a walk.
STARTING TIME
Braves: Beachy said that his arm feels fine, a change from most of the last two seasons. Beachy had Tommy John surgery in June 2012 and a minor shoulder operation in September 2013.
"I felt better. More comfortable out there. Turned it up a little more," Beachy said. "I don't know what the radar gun said or anything like that, but I felt like I had my legs under me a little bit better in the third inning."
Beachy only started five games last year, and had a 4.50 ERA.
Phillies: O'Sullivan signed a minor league contract in the offseason. He is a longshot to make the opening-day roster. He is more likely to begin the season in Triple-A, where he will provide valuable pitching depth for a staff that's been injury prone over the last few year.
"I think you always have to look for starting pitchers, whether you're perfectly healthy or not," Phillies pitching coach Bob McClure said.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Phillies: Darin Ruf was hit in the head by a throw while sliding into third base in the fourth inning. Ruf, however, popped up after a minute or so and stayed in the game.
"He's all right, got him half-and-half on the helmet and the head," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said.
Third baseman Cody Asche will start Thursday's split-squad game against the Tigers in Lakeland, Fla. Asche has missed the last three games after getting hit by a pitch on his right hand.
FREGOSI HONORED
Former Phillies manager and Braves special assistant Jim Fregosi, who died Feb. 14, was honored in a ceremony with family members and former teammates before the game.
Ten former teammates, players or fellow coaches each wore a jersey representing each stop of Fregosi's career. The Phillies have also honored Fregosi this spring by draping a black tablecloth on the table in the cafeteria where Fregosi normally held court for many spring trainings.