GDT 4/3/17: OPENING DAY - Phillies (Hellickson) @ Reds (Feldman)

[el-pietro]

That would have been a hell of a DP

[LoneStarPhan]

With bases loaded, two fly balls end the inning.

The first, shallow to left, resulted in a one hop throw that skipped and Franco could not hold on, trying to double up the running going back to third. Second fly hit much harder, but taken by Kendrick in left center.

End of 4, Phillies lead 3-1.

[el-pietro]

Messy inning but he got out of it.

With two on Cozart flew out to Kendrick in left. Howies throw was poor but it worked out, he bounced one to Franco who might have gotten the runner at third but the ball bounced off the heel of his glove. He motioned to say the ball skidded off the grass, which with the heavy rain makes sense.

[LoneStarPhan]

The ball sure didn't take a normal hop to Franco. Yes, sure would have been nice to get the DP but in the end, no harm done. Just like the poor judgement play on the bunt the previous inning resulted in not getting an out, but the DP made the end result the same.

[el-pietro]

Murph, TMac and Kruk discussing the meaning of Jawn. I've never heard it spoken but I'm pretty sure they are saying it wrong.

[zambonir]

damn, I missed that 'cause my app crashed and then I switched to radio, where they joked that Chris Wheeler had the call the last time a Phillies player homered on Opening Day.

Kruk is fun though.

[LoneStarPhan]

With 2 out in the 5th, Kendrick doubles off the base of the wall in center and Herrera walks. Feldman lifted with 99 pitch count.

Astin in to pitch

Franco grounds to short, booted for error to load bases.

Saunders grounds out to end inning after first four pitches would have been balls, but he swung on the 2-0 pitch.

[LoneStarPhan]

Kendrick 3 for 3 so far today. Keep it up.

[LoneStarPhan]

End of 5 innings:

Phillies 3 7 0
Reds 1 5 1

[LoneStarPhan]

With two out:
Galvis double
Hellickson triple

4-1 going to the bottom of the sixth

[LoneStarPhan]

Hellickson lifted after giving up a lead off double to start the bottom of the sixth.
Benoit coming on to pitch.
Hellicson PC at 67 but the triple may have gassed him. OK, they are professional athletes but still, it took a toll.
Let's see what the bullpen can do.

Hellickson 5 IP, 6 hits, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 walk, 1 K. Leaves with runner on second

[LoneStarPhan]

Benoit gets two K's and a fly to center to end the inning. Hellickson's line for the day complete with just the one run allowed.

End of 6
Phillies 4 9 0
Reds 1 6 1

[zambonir]

We had the same conversation about Hellickson last year. Not letting your starter go a full third time through the line-up is the new trend. Last year opponents put up a .790 OPS against him in 3rd PA (with a lot of that coming from increased SLG) and I believe he was worse than that in 2015.

Plus, opening day, off-day tomorrow, may as well see the pen.

[el-pietro]

Oh! Double! Herrera!

[LoneStarPhan]

I agree, even though I have often talked about starters going deeper in the game. The bullpen should be up to a good load of innings. Evidently, several of the pen may be asked to go more than one inning. Exceptions probably Benoit, Neris, and Gomez.

[LoneStarPhan]

First IBB for the Phillies, coming on the 2-0 count to Saunders. Runners first and second following a double from Herrera.
Two out.

Joseph ends inning with a weak, broken bat ground out, 5-3.

[DurhamBull]

First no-pitch IBB catches Franzke and Anderson off guard.

[wcoastphan]

I'll go on record saying that next to the DH, this is the most despicable rule change in Baseball.

[LoneStarPhan]

Not the normal IBB, coming on a 2-0 count, making it a two pitch intentional walk.

[DurhamBull]

Not the normal IBB, coming on a 2-0 count, making it a two pitch intentional walk.

Franzke made the very dry comment that it really helped to speed the game up.