Phillies Start Season With Drama, End Result is a Win
By: Mike Reisman
Welcome back to the regular season everyone! Today marked the first game-day of the Phillies 2011 campaign as the Phillies took on the Houston Astros featuring former Phillie Brett Myers. Now it may be April 1st, and the season whose players are called "the boys of summer" may be starting, but the weather at Citizen's Bank Park begged to differ. The teams played in weather that lingered around 40 degrees, with some rain here and there. Of course, to make matters weirder, it had snowed earlier in the morning. Of course, that didn't stop either team from playing a crazy, drama-filled game.
The game started as you would expect a game with two number one starters would, as both teams combined for a mere five hits over five innings, neither team scoring. The Astros struck first in the 6th, with Angel Sanchez scoring on a Bill Hall sacrifice. Halladay would leave after the 6th, striking out six and walking none. The Phillies would be put in a deeper hole when the 'Stros would score three runs off of J.C Romero the next inning.
The Phillies would not go down without a fight though, and answered back with two runs in their half of the 7th. Then came the drama.
The Phillies were still down two going into the 9th, as Brandon Lyon came in to close the game for the Astros. The Phillies went to work quickly, getting Ryan Howard on first and Jimmy Rollins on third with only one out. In stepped Ben Francisco, who carried over his spring training success with an RBI single. After a Carlos Ruiz single loaded the bases, Wilson Valdez and John Mayberry Jr. hit back-to-back singles ending the game, 5-4 Phillies.
Ah, where to start with this game. First, let me ask, why couldn't Brett Myers be good as a Phillie? In his best season with the squad, 2005, he went 13-8 with a 3.72 ERA, but of course last year, his first not with the Phillies, he goes 14-8 with a 3.14 ERA. Then of course there is his solid performance today, which just makes me wonder, why not for us? Oh well.
Next, one thing that concerned me a little was the fact that Roy Halladay only went six innings. He only gave up one run, so he was having a good day, and last year the Phillies showed they weren't afraid to have him throw for a while early, leaving him in until at least the 7th every game in April last year. Of course, better safe than sorry, but in a close, one-run game, you have to believe that there is some other reason he was taken out, but there is no reason, at least at the moment.
Today was great for a multitude of reasons, but really one thing that should encourage Phillies fans is the performance of some of the starters. Yes, it is only game one, but Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Wilson Valdez, and Ben Francisco all had huge contribution, despite many people having doubts about them going into the season. Not only did these guys do well, but John Mayberry Jr. proved with his walk off showed that he is able to be a solid bench player, and possibly a starter if need be. Of course, it's only been one game, but things are looking up.
From snow, to sleet, to rain, the weather today was much like the game, with a pitcher's duel, a four run lead late, and a comeback, both the weather and the game had nearly everything. The highly anticipated pitching had less to do with the win than the Phillies line-up, the reason many people doubt them. All of this, and it's only April 1st. Buckle up, because if the rest of the season is anything like today's game, it should be a wild ride.