The Philadelphia Phillies began the season the way they ended last season: participating in a 1-0 game with Roy Halladay on the mound. But there are differences between the games:
a.) This time they were on the right side of the win column
b.) They played the Pittsburgh Pirates
c.) This game did not determine if they would advance to the next round of playoffs.
d.) Ryan Howard did not end up hurt on the field.
What this game did do is let us know a few things (ok some we knew): Carlos Ruiz is a quiet star of this team. Halladay can rebound from a two hit first inning and shut a major league team down. Jonathon Papelbon can close out a game. The Phillies have a very good defense. This was proven on two very good plays: One by Jimmy Rollins to turn a 6-4-3 double play in the first inning on Andrew McCutcheon and Placido Polanco's play on McCutcheon to end game, with a nice stretch by Ty Wigginton.
As we knew going in with Ryan Howard and Chase Utley out, the Phillies will need to scrape runs together. And this is what they did. Ty Wigginton got the only offense the Phillies would need when he singled in the 7th. John Mayberry then got an opposite field double, which allowed Wigginton to get to second. Carlos Ruiz hit a ball to right field, about medium depth, and Wigginton came across to score after the throw from Jose Tabata, went a little high and to the right of Pirates catcher Rod Barajas.
One other thing I learned: Erik Bedard is a good pitcher. He and Halladay came ready to pitch and the results were very similar for much of the game. While Halladay did not allow any more hits following the two in the first inning, Bedard kept the Phillies bats silent with a great curve ball that had a wicked break.
Game one is in the books, the Phillies are in first place. Personally, I was able to watch the entire game..but delayed. Nonetheless I enjoyed the time just watching two pitchers perform their craft extremely well.
Game two is on Saturday, after the Friday day off. cliff Lee will pitch his first game of the season.
With the offensive challenges the Phillies face, he will need to come as close as possible to replicating the method employed by Halladay if the Phils are going to win.
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