Phillies Win Home Opener
The home opener, in front of nearly 45,000 fans, you would think the Philadelphia Phillies would be ready to go on all cylinders? Well, you would be wrong, as the hitting shoes were dusty for nearly six innings, before a late onslaught gave them a 6-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park.
The first five innings was a pitcher’s duel, as both Phillies starters, Cristopher Sanchez, and Rockies starter, German Marquez, were mowing down batters.
However, for the fourth straight game, Philadelphia gave up the first run in the game. In the top of the sixth, and with one out, Sanchez threw a slider over the plate that Rockies cleanup hitter, Hunter Goodman, blasted deep into the center field seats for his first home run of the season, and giving Colorado, a 1-0 lead. After that home run, Sanchez was pulled from the game.
Marquez was pulled after six innings, but he was dynamite, as he allowed only 4 hits and no runs, while striking out four, and no walks. In fact, according to Bob Wankel, who co-hosts the Phightin Podcast, the Phillies have scored two runs against starting pitchers through 22 1/3 innings.
But, in the seventh, Philadelphia’s offense woke up, as Rockies reliever, Scott Alexander, recorded two outs, allowed a double to Bryson Stott, a walk to pinch-hitter Trea Turner, who is hobbled with back spasms. After Alexander was replaced by new reliever, Victor Vodnik, Edmundo Sosa ripped a double to right center that scored both Stott and Turner, and it gave the Phillies a 2-1 lead. The hit ended a 0-for-13 slump with runners in scoring position.
Then, Kyle Schwarber, took a 1-1 fastball, and hit it to dead center off the batters eye, measured at 434 feet, for his third home run of the season, and making the score, 4-1.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Phillies put the exclamation point on the game, as Max Kepler, who had a three-hit game, hit his first home run, as a Phillie, then Nick Castellanos made it back-to-back home runs, as he hit his first to dead center field, to make it, 6-1.
The Phillies relievers after Sanchez left did their job. Orion Kerkering, Joe Ross, who got the win, Jose Alvarado and Jordan Romano combined to pitch 3 2/3 innings, and allowed only two hits, two walks and six strikeouts.
After a day off on Tuesday, Philadelphia’s next game will be on Wednesday, as Zack Wheeler will make his second start against Kyle Freeland and the Colorado Rockies. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m.
-David Weightman/ Olde City Sports Network
