Doc Dominates in Debut

Written by Mike Mariano | 06 April 2010

In the first inning of yesterday's Opening Day game against the Nationals, Roy Halladay got touched up for a run on a combination of Nyger Morgan running and Ryan Zimmerman hitting.  After Zimmerman's RBI double, you got a clear look at one of the things that makes Roy Halladay so good.  When Nyger Morgan crossed the plate to take the 1-0 lead, Halladay didn't even blink.  Didn't shrug.  Didn't frown.  Didn't smile.  Nothing.

He simply walked back to the mound, struck out Adam Dunn and closed out the inning a batter later on a pop-up.  Business as usual.  Morgan was all jacked up, the stadium was rocking with Opening Day hopes, but Roy didn't seem to notice at all.  From them on out, he mowed down hitter after hitter, fanning nine hitters over seven innings, leaving with a 11-1 lead and the game in hand.  Not much more could have been expected from the Doc and he didn't disappoint in the least.

Offensively, it doesn't get more exciting than Jimmy Rollins spending the entire day on base.  Two hits, two walks, and a stolen base set Rollins on a much better path than last season when he struggled mightily throughout April.  Couple in a Ryan Howard bomb and a Placido Polanco grand slam and it was nonstop excitement for the Phils.  Every Phillies starter had a hit (including the pitcher) and every position player scored a run (excluding the pitcher) in the rout.

A potentially overlooked bright spot was the bullpen.  Bastardo, Baez, and rule-five draftee David Herndon combined for three easy innings of work to close out the game.  I was especially impressed with the new guy, Herndon.  Despite allowing two hits, his ball had great life to it and he pitched with a presence on the mound.  I hope he finds a way to stay around a little longer once Romero and Lidge return from injury, but we'll just have to wait and see.

Next game: Wednesday, 7:05, Cole Hamels v. Jason Marquis in Washington.