Roy Halladay got the start on Opening Day in Washington, D.C., against John Lannan and the Nationals. Doc allowed one run in the first and nothing after that. The Phillies got on the board in the 4th, with a breathtaking two-run homer by Mr. Big. It flew up and out, into the second deck.
All of the starters, including Halladay, had at least one hit. Rollins had a lead-off single, walked twice, and tripled once; Ruiz walked three times; Halladay got an RBI on a swinging bunt hit; Polanco had his first homer of the year, a grand slam, and a career-high six RBI. Halladay, who went seven, struck out nine, induced two double plays, and left with an 11-1 lead. He smiled in the dugout. We smiled, too.
Antonio Bastardo started the 8th, and got two outs but allowed two to reach; Danys Baez got the final out on two pitches. Rule Five guy David Herndon made his major league debut in the 9th. Congratulations, rookie! He too gave up a couple of hits but ended the game without allowing a run. And the Phillies won their first opening day game in five years.
On the 100th anniversary of the presidential first pitch, Barack Obama did the honors, wearing a Nationals jacket to take the mound, where he then put on his White Sox cap. His throw sailed high and wide but receiver Ryan Zimmerman flashed his Gold Glove form to pull it in. The weather was gorgeous and the sell-out crowd a sea of red.
The Phillies looked as if they were picking up where they left off last year. The two "new" guys, Halladay and Polanco, shone. Watching Halladay pitch is a definite learning experience.
