Phillies Take Season Opener Against Nationals
Today’s season opener was the first game for the Washington Nationals. Donning caps with the old W logo of former Senators teams, the Nationals put Livan Hernandez on the mound. By the middle of the fifth inning, the Phillies bats had knocked the DC hurler out. The Nats bullpen was no match for the Phightins and the first game in the campaign went to Philly.
The Pros
Jon Leiber’s sinker ball is going to be a plus for the team. The first five and two-thirds innings he pitched were masterful. He gave up a smattering of hits, but several were flukes. I have longed for this type of pitcher. Over and over Leiber’s pitches broke down on the plate. In an interview before the game, he commented that he wants the ball put into play. The defense will handle it from there. And that is how it played out.
Lieber worked ahead in the count and works quickly. His approach to the game is wonderful.
Three sacrifice flies and one sacrifice bunt (by a reliever no less) is wonderful to see on the scorecard.
Kenny Lofton looking for a pitch on the inside of the plate on the first pitch shows what a veteran hitter can do. This was what we missed when Glanville played for us.
Other than stretching way out of the strike zone for one pitch, Burrell looked really good at the plate. He drove the ball.
The Phillies batted to the right side of the field to move runners. I love seeing that.
Madson, although he struggled getting the ball over the plate, he knuckled down and got his out.
The Cons
Lieber only last five and two-thirds innings. Starters need to go deeper into the game. Yes, we should have a decent bullpen this year, but running through three or four of them daily because we cannot get to the eighth and ninth inning with our starters is going to take its toll.
Not really a con, but there were many broken bats in this game. I took note of this two years ago and again last year. I suppose it is the small-handled bats splniterring.
Three consecutive innings with the bases loaded; only one run scored. This was a major issue last year. The game was in hand by this time, but we need to capitalize on the opportunities.
Wheels
Chris Wheeler had a shaky first game in the broadcast booth. When he arrived on air for the television broadcast in the top of the fourth, he failed to announce the first four pitches. For a play-by-play man, that is unacceptable. It is difficult to score at home when the person hired to relay the information to the home scorer doesn’t do his job.
How this man keeps his job year to year is a wonder I will never understand.
Also blogged on this date . . .
- Help Me Soften My Stool - 2008
- Taxpayer Money Down the Drain - 2008
- Encyclopedia Brown Boy Detective: Encyclopedia Brown Series #1 - 2008
- New Jersey Owes Billions - 2007
- Corzine Economy Is Tanking - 2006
- Lipton's 10 Questions - 2005
- National Holiday - 2005
- Final Dead Show - 1993