Washington @ Philadelphia GameThread, Mar 31, 2008 3:05 PM EDT

Game One!

by dajafi on Mar 31, 2008 1:14 PM EDT

Washington @ Philadelphia

Well, here we go: first game of the year. Brett Myers makes his second Opening Day start, seeking his first win. A year ago, Myers took the hill against the Braves and dominated: 7 2/3 innings, 3 runs, 4 hits, 2 walks, 9 strikeouts. Myers left after allowing the game-tying home run to Edgar Renteria in the 8th; the Phillies lost in 10 innings when Ryan Madson allowed a second, two-run shot to Renteria. Myers actually doesn't have great career numbers against Washington: 7-7, 4.89, with four saves all earned last season.

Matt Chico takes the hill for a Nationals team still presumably giddy from last night's thrilling walkoff win over Atlanta. Chico is a second-year lefty who fared well in two starts against the Phillies last season (1-0, 4.22). He throws a bit harder than the typical left-hander, and is somewhat prone to the home run: 26 allowed in 167 innings during 2007. Chico handles lefty hitters slightly better than right-handers, so Charlie Manuel is going with Jayson Werth in right field over Geoff Jenkins.

Here's the Phillies lineup for today:

SS Rollins

CF Victorino

2B Utley

1B Howard

LF Burrell

3B Feliz

RF Werth

C Ruiz

P Myers

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Comments

DESTROY

MATT CHICO!!!

by jonk on Mar 31, 2008 3:04 PM EDT 0 recs

The Nats

Have played 10 innings and have gone 1-2-3 in 8 of them.

by jonk on Mar 31, 2008 3:14 PM EDT 0 recs

nice start

Myers got ahead of the hitters in the first, made one mistake to Milledge that stayed in the park, and was efficient. Great AB from Rollins and strong situational hitting from Vic and Chase to score the first run.

by dajafi on Mar 31, 2008 3:23 PM EDT 0 recs

ugh

Myers losing it a little in the second inning... double, HBP (on LoDouchebag; crowd goes wild), full-count walk to Harris... strikes out the pitcher to leave 'em loaded. Lotta pitches, though.

by dajafi on Mar 31, 2008 3:33 PM EDT 0 recs

Pat does

what Pat does.

by jonk on Mar 31, 2008 3:37 PM EDT 0 recs

And Pedro does

what Pedro does.

by jonk on Mar 31, 2008 3:37 PM EDT 0 recs

Why...

Would you bat Feliz before Werth?

by jonk on Mar 31, 2008 3:39 PM EDT 0 recs

larger power numbers?

I dunno. Let's hope it doesn't cost them. Frustrating though.

Manuel has been fairly good at learning from his mistakes. This hopefully will be another one in that tradition... of course, the ideal would be if he didn't make said mistakes when they're as obvious as noting batting an OBP sinkhole above 8th.

by dajafi on Mar 31, 2008 3:44 PM EDT up 0 recs

don't vote for pedro

heck, i'd bat him after ruiz too

by taco pal on Mar 31, 2008 3:41 PM EDT 0 recs

Feliz

Well, I guess he can literally ONLY improve on that at-bat. So call me an optimist.

by FuquaManuel on Mar 31, 2008 3:43 PM EDT 0 recs

After Myers

I'd bat him after Myers, ala Kendall today.

by David S. Cohen on Mar 31, 2008 3:44 PM EDT 0 recs

efficiency!

Myers gets through the 3rd on something like seven pitches. He's now thrown a more than acceptable 43 for the game.

Still, though, I doubt they'd let him go beyond 90-95. Hopefully that'll get us through seven at least.

by dajafi on Mar 31, 2008 3:49 PM EDT 0 recs

Meet the new Phils...

All about smallball, pitching and defense.

by jonk on Mar 31, 2008 3:53 PM EDT 0 recs

Whatever it takes

Pedro Feliz came over from San Francisco and is teaching the Phils the beauty of the low-OBP.

by David S. Cohen on Mar 31, 2008 3:55 PM EDT up 0 recs

by the way

Nick Johnson = beast

If he stays healthy, he's going to have a great year. Let's just hope Bowden doesn't deal him to the Mets.

by dajafi on Mar 31, 2008 3:58 PM EDT 0 recs

Nick Johnson

Just looked at his stats. Had no idea he posted a .950 OBP last year. Wow, impressive.

by FuquaManuel on Mar 31, 2008 4:05 PM EDT up 0 recs

okay, well...

If Feliz makes two of those plays for every GIDP, I think we can live with him. That was pretty sweet to end the 4th.

by dajafi on Mar 31, 2008 4:01 PM EDT 0 recs

Btw...

Thome is 2-2 with 2 homers and 4 RBIs.

by jonk on Mar 31, 2008 4:05 PM EDT 0 recs

Nice

Opposite field hit for Howard.

by jonk on Mar 31, 2008 4:07 PM EDT 0 recs

Pat with an RBI. Nice single to left.

by jonk on Mar 31, 2008 4:08 PM EDT 0 recs

Pedro

C'mon baby. Big money, no whammies.

by FuquaManuel on Mar 31, 2008 4:10 PM EDT 0 recs

K

he's on a roll today.

by FuquaManuel on Mar 31, 2008 4:10 PM EDT 0 recs

quality control

Three great ABs from Utley, Howard and Burrell; two ineffectual whiffs from Feliz and Werth.

Here's my boy Chooch, who really should be hitting higher than 8th.

by dajafi on Mar 31, 2008 4:12 PM EDT 0 recs

um

He pops up to end the inning. 2-0 Phils.

Myers has thrown 57 pitches, Chico 72.

It's starting to rain, but it doesn't sound like the game is at risk of stoppage.

by dajafi on Mar 31, 2008 4:13 PM EDT up 0 recs

great. the bottom of the order has looked wonderful.

by FuquaManuel on Mar 31, 2008 4:13 PM EDT 0 recs

Feliz

Nice start to his Phillies career today. On another note, does this new site configuration differentiate new comments from old comments? It's not showing up for me, but maybe my settings aren't right. Others?

by David S. Cohen on Mar 31, 2008 4:17 PM EDT 0 recs

I have a feeling...

this is about to get ugly. don't ask me why.

by FuquaManuel on Mar 31, 2008 4:19 PM EDT 0 recs

crap

Bases loaded with one out on a single to the pitcher, a seeing-eye single up the middle, and an HBP. Zimmerman and Johnson due now.

Dave, I have newly posted comments in a shaded yellow; that's the differentiation.

by dajafi on Mar 31, 2008 4:21 PM EDT 0 recs

I see it

OK, now I see it, although it's incredibly incredibly light.

by David S. Cohen on Mar 31, 2008 4:29 PM EDT up 0 recs

Myers not looking good at all. Haven't seen him hit 90 on any pitch. If it were any team other than the Nats.

by jonk on Mar 31, 2008 4:21 PM EDT 0 recs

Sigh...

3-2 Nats

by jonk on Mar 31, 2008 4:26 PM EDT 0 recs

I knew it.

by FuquaManuel on Mar 31, 2008 4:27 PM EDT 0 recs

painful

Rollins can't stop the bleeding with an error that allows run #4; Nationals have batted around. This inning feels like the whispery echo of that nightmare in Atlanta late last year; Myers kept getting ahead of guys in that inning too.

But this one is over, after Utley squeezes a popup he almost misplayed. Phils trail 4-2.

by dajafi on Mar 31, 2008 4:29 PM EDT 0 recs

If we can't score 3 runs against the Nats in the next 4 innings, we didn't deserve to win anyway.

by jonk on Mar 31, 2008 4:30 PM EDT 0 recs

Ok, 5. Need just 1 more.

by jonk on Mar 31, 2008 5:21 PM EDT up 0 recs

The widget that shows the score

at the top of the site... RULES!

You could be in the discussion! Sign up for a free account at Bleeding Green Nation

by JasonB on Mar 31, 2008 4:32 PM EDT 0 recs

Myers done

Out after 5 IP, 86 pitches. Not the start we needed.

Taguchi will pinch-hit for Myers here.

by dajafi on Mar 31, 2008 4:32 PM EDT 0 recs

this is how the phils play ball. Take a modest early lead. Waste chances to pull away, then give it all back with poor pitching.

If you asked me to sum up Phillies April baseball, that is the definition I would give you.

by FuquaManuel on Mar 31, 2008 4:32 PM EDT 0 recs

Stop with the negativity during the first game of the season after they made the playoffs last year. Don't be a stereotype.

by jonk on Mar 31, 2008 4:35 PM EDT up 0 recs

I am only talking about April. And given their recent April performances, I think the characterization is apt.

by FuquaManuel on Mar 31, 2008 4:39 PM EDT up 0 recs

Milledge gone. He is on all my fantasy teams.

by jonk on Mar 31, 2008 4:46 PM EDT 0 recs

here's a thought...

DON'T LET MADSON PITCH IN THE OPENER.

Nationals lead 6-2. It's kind of amazing to think you'd turn off the season opener, but there you go. The Phillies are rarely slow to remind fans that a large dollop of pain goes with the pleasure...

by dajafi on Mar 31, 2008 4:46 PM EDT 0 recs

Glad I'm not there

Bad weather, ugly game so far - glad I'm not using the ticket I was offered!

by David S. Cohen on Mar 31, 2008 4:48 PM EDT 0 recs

see y'all wednesday. yuck.

by FuquaManuel on Mar 31, 2008 4:48 PM EDT 0 recs

i <3 chase utley

and I'm proud of it

by char6587 on Mar 31, 2008 4:52 PM EDT 0 recs

Rally Hats!

7th inning comeback, lets get it rolling...

by Neduol Caz on Mar 31, 2008 5:11 PM EDT 0 recs

Manuel's moves

He's got the bats to play pinch-hitting matchups now. Jenkins is about to come in for Durbin, Ray King to pitch.

I guess this also means that at least for today, Bruntlett is Burrell's legs/glove.

Looks like it's really raining there now.

by dajafi on Mar 31, 2008 5:14 PM EDT 0 recs

CARLOS!

Ruiz, Ruiz Ruiz Ruiz, Ruiiizzzz, Ruiiizzzz... That's my boy.

by Neduol Caz on Mar 31, 2008 5:15 PM EDT 0 recs

mrrgrrrmm

King strikes out Jenkins.

by dajafi on Mar 31, 2008 5:16 PM EDT 0 recs

MVP!

MVP MVP MVP!

by jonk on Mar 31, 2008 5:17 PM EDT 0 recs

JIMMY!!!!!!1

tie game

by dajafi on Mar 31, 2008 5:18 PM EDT 0 recs

j-rule

I know we're not supposed to believe in "clutch" and I don't believe in "clutch" but... that guy's clutch.

by taco pal on Mar 31, 2008 5:31 PM EDT up 0 recs

Romero

I still feel like he's going to implode every time he goes out there. But he was as awesome in the 8th as he was over those last three months.

Saul Rivera--the dictionary definition of "solid but unexceptional middle reliever--now pitching for Washington. He hasn't allowed a dinger since Rowand hit one off him last April, per the broadcast.

by dajafi on Mar 31, 2008 5:32 PM EDT 0 recs

Burrell gets ahead in the count 2-0...

...Eric Bruntlett starts stretching his legs.

by dajafi on Mar 31, 2008 5:33 PM EDT 0 recs

tied going to the 9th

Rivera gets three flyball outs. Gordon warming. Stomach churning.

by dajafi on Mar 31, 2008 5:35 PM EDT 0 recs

Gordon

Blows it. Meatball to Nick Johnson; I'm surprised it stayed in the park. Milledge, who'd reached on an infield single, scored standing.

by dajafi on Mar 31, 2008 5:43 PM EDT 0 recs

I knew it...

I hate Gordon, I just knew he was going to mess it up. Can I scream expletives on this site?

by Neduol Caz on Mar 31, 2008 5:44 PM EDT 0 recs

Not till the second half

Nah, I'm kidding.

With that errant throw to third, let 'er rip. 8-6 Washington.

Sonofabitch. Do we ever win an opener?

by dajafi on Mar 31, 2008 5:45 PM EDT up 0 recs

well, how do people feel about Tom Gordon as the closer for the next few weeks?

Only a bit more than 8 innings and I already feel like I am trapped in the beginning of last season. wow.

by FuquaManuel on Mar 31, 2008 5:44 PM EDT 0 recs

ack

Ruiz made his first error last year around August. Ugh.

by taco pal on Mar 31, 2008 5:46 PM EDT 0 recs

LoDouchebag

That's the cruelest cut of all. RBI double, 9-6 now, still just one out.

Should have pitched Condrey. He's warming now. Too late though.

by dajafi on Mar 31, 2008 5:47 PM EDT 0 recs

Not to add on, but...

Harry has really lost it. I love the guy, but "it" is gone.

by Neduol Caz on Mar 31, 2008 5:48 PM EDT 0 recs

Rockets

Give Washington credit: none of these hits were cheapies. Belliard's RBI double--which has made it 10-6--sounded like something from the Home Run Contest.

by dajafi on Mar 31, 2008 5:49 PM EDT 0 recs

harry and flash have gone to the same place

Hard to really hate Gordon. This is a 40 year old man. Looks like he may well be done.

by taco pal on Mar 31, 2008 5:49 PM EDT 0 recs

To my corner I go

I am leaving. I am not happy. I am pissed. I will not be happy for many many days. Goodbye.

by Neduol Caz on Mar 31, 2008 5:50 PM EDT 0 recs

To my corner I go

I am leaving. I am not happy. I am pissed. I will not be happy for many many days. Goodbye.

by Neduol Caz on Mar 31, 2008 5:50 PM EDT 0 recs

comical. I believe it was the beginning of spring training when I said I was worried about Gordon. I still am. No velocity, terrible location. I think we are going to have another back of the bullpen situation on our hands this season.

I don't care if its the first game. Gordon has been shaky since after the all star break back in 06 and this is surely a sign of things to come.

by FuquaManuel on Mar 31, 2008 5:50 PM EDT 0 recs

pwned

Think this team might need another reliever or two?

Not a particularly encouraging display.

by dajafi on Mar 31, 2008 5:58 PM EDT 0 recs

Romero as closer

Gordon is done. Middle relief if anything. Romero is LIGHTS OUT and has been . Why not make him your closer until Lidge is back? I'm sure he doesn't care, might even embrace it.

by robz on Mar 31, 2008 6:07 PM EDT 0 recs

Romero

Romero does not have closer stuff. I honestly don't think there is too much difference between him and gordon. There was yesterday, but not overall. remember small sample size.

By moving Romero into the closing role in for a week, you will lose Gordon's confidence and trust. We need both Romero and Gordon to be at least decent in setup roles this year, lets keep them happy. Lidge should be back by the weekend, so lets hold out till then. If Lidge is out for longer then we can consider other options like Romero, or my preference Madson.

by dbeach13 on Apr 1, 2008 12:00 PM EDT up 0 recs

Pretty sorry indeed

Living out west I only got the game on MLB gameday. Looking over the pitch selection I see Gordon threw primarily fastballs and change ups, so where's the curve? He had an 11.0 era in ST so I question Charlie even bringing him in in a non-save situation. Maybe Romero coulda gone one more... Frustrating.

by Steve-O- on Mar 31, 2008 6:09 PM EDT 0 recs