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Ryan Howard, image- Jay Floyd READING- It is a mystery if the Phillies will win many more games than the MLB-worst 63 they notched last season, but it's clear that they could be dominant if they continue competing against minor leaguers after pounding their top prospects by a convincing 19-4 score. In the seven-inning exhibition, the big league club slammed eight home runs, four each off of right-handers Zach Eflin and Mark Appel . Eflin, who was acquired from the Dodgers two off-seasons ago in a trade for Jimmy Rollins , was charged with 12 runs (nine earned) on 11 hits while striking out two and walking one with a wild pitch in three innings of work. The 21-year-old declined to speak with media after the loss, but he and Appel (3 IP, 8H, 6R/6ER, 2K, 0BB, WP) did engaged in a little joke cracking at each other's expense on Twitter later in the evening. Each of the Phillies' eight home runs were launched by a different player. Odubel Herrera , Freddy Gal...

The Boston Red Sox are set to interview Philadelphia Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin and Milwaukee Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum for their vacant managerial position this week, according to WEEI radio in Boston. Mackanin and Sveum will be the first two candidates interviewed by Boston to replace Terry Francona, whose contract was not renewed after a tremendous collapse, as the season drew to a close, that led to the Red Sox missing the playoffs. The 60-year-old Mackanin previously managed the Pirates and Reds in an interim capacity and managed several minor league clubs. Mackanin played in the big leagues with the Rangers, Expos, Phillies and Twins. Mackanin has served as the Phillies' bench coach, under manager Charlie Manuel, for the past two seasons. Svuem, 48, previously coached for the Red Sox from 2004-2005. A former big leaguer, Svuem played for the Phillies, Brewers, Pirates, Yankees, Athletics, Mariners and White Sox. Since 2006 during his tenure with the Brewers,...