Opening Day

The Phillies have not won on opening day since 2005 and things did not change today as Tom Gordon recorded his second straight opening day loss. After Myers pitched well, holding a 2-0 lead, for four innings, he gave up a one-out hit to Nationals pitcher Matt Chico. Chico's base hit sparked a rally that was also aided by a hit batsman and a walk. The Nationals put up a four spot through a sac fly, and Austin Kearns double, and a Jimmy Rollins error.

Madson gave up a 2-run homer to Milledge to push the lead to 6-2 in the following inning, but the Phillies battled back. Chase Utley started the comeback with a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth. In the bottom of the 7th, the Phillies knotted the game at 6 after Carlos Ruiz doubled in Jayson Werth and Rollins hit a two-run home run. The Phillies regained momentum and we thought this year would be different. Nope.

Tom Gordon came into pitch the ninth and was only able to record one out, one. He did find a way to give up 5 earned runs on 4 hits and 1 walk. Clay Condrey let in one of his inherited runners. So, Gordon lost his second straight opening day decision for the Phillies. The Phillies gave up 10 plus runs for the second time in their last 3 opening days. The Phillies went through another off-season where they successfully addressed their biggest need, pitching.

There had to be some good news, right? Well there was as Rollins and Utley both homered after having sub-par springs and added another hit each.

Let's somehow hope this is not the beginning of another bad start in Phillies history.

How the Phillies scored:
Bottom 1st - Chase Utley sac fly, Rollins scored - 1-0 Phillies
Bottom 4th - Pat Burrell RBI single, Chase Utley scored - 2-0 Phillies
Bottom 6th - Chase Utley solo home run - 6-3 Nationals
Bottom 7th - Carlos Ruiz double, Werth scored - 6-4 Nationals
Bottom 7th - Jimmy Rollins 2-run home run, Ruiz Scored - 6-6 tie game