OPENING DAY PHILLIES 1-0 PIRATES

Remember the last time Roy Halladay pitched? And the score was 1-0? We all went home looking like this: 

Luckily today we came away with a victory! LONG BALLS staff was in attendance as Doc aka Roy Halladay aka Harry Leroy Halladay III pitched brilliant baseball giving up two weak singles in the first inning and not another hit for the next 7 innings. Jonathon Papelbon came in to finish it off and give Doc and the Phillies his first win of the season.

It was a good way to start the season, especially considering our poor performances against the Pirates in recent history. It was the largest crowd in PNC Park history and though the Pirates haven’t had a winning season in 19 years, this year could be the year they finally break the curse. They brought in Erik Bedard who pitched extremely well, giving up just one run on a sacrifice fly by Carlos Ruiz, who also went 3-3 at the plate. It was Ty Wigginton who scored using his legs (lmfao) on the sacrifice fly by sliding under a solid throw from right fielder Jose Tabata. John Mayberry Jr. made two outstanding catches ranging back to the wall, the second of which barely dropped into his glove for the third out of an inning. He added a single from the plate. Jimmy Rollins batted third and laid down a neat little bunt for a single in the first inning but was silent after that. Freddy Galvis grounded into two double plays and struck out for a tough debut, but hopefully we see some good things from the young infielder. He turned a nifty double play in the first inning with men on first and second with no outs on a close play, one that may not have been made had Chase Utley been the one manning second base.

OH YEAH and Chickie’s and Pete’s opened a stand at PNC Park so the Phillies fans who knew what it was and that it was worth the $9.75.

Kowabunga.

Some photos from the game to follow, and here’s to more wins from the 2012 Philadelphia Phillies and HLHIII! See you again Saturday night boys!