Philadelphia Phillies Win Season Opener By Crushing the Nationals 11-1

Ryan Howard got his 2010 season off to a quick start, but his performance was not the highlight of the afternoon.

Besides President Barack Obama’s unimpressive high and wide throw to start the season off, the most impressive part of the game was newly acquired pitcher Roy Halladay beginning his National League career with nine strikeouts in seven innings, giving the Phillies a 11-1 win.

Halladay gave up six hits and one run in seven innings, including a double to Ryan Zimmerman who brought home the lone run.

Ryan Howard hit a home run into deep right in the top of the fourth to bring home Chase Utley and end the Phillies drought, putting them up 2-1.

That would not be all they would get in the fourth.

Washington pitcher John Lannan would give up another three runs in the same inning before being relieved by Jesse English.

Roy Halladay, Shane Victorino, and Placido Polanco all recorded an RBI and brought the score to 5-1 at the end of the inning.

In the sixth, Jimmy Rollins tripled to deep center to set up Polanco for another RBI, giving the Phillies a 7-1 lead.

Polanco’s day wouldn’t end there.

In the seventh inning with the bases loaded he hit a home run deep to left, bringing in the base runners and recording the first Grand Slam of the year.

 

Game Notes

The entire Phillies lineup recorded a hit in the game.

The Phillies Placido Polanco recorded one run, three hits and six RBI in the win over the Nationals.

Ryan Howard recorded a home run and two RBI on two hits.

This is the first time in four years that the Phillies did not lose their opening day game.

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