The positive? Chase Utley's bat is awake
Chase Utley celebrated his first Opening Day in three seasons with three hits, including a home run, in Phillies defeat in Atlanta.
The positive? Chase Utley's bat is awake
Ryan Lawrence, Daily News Staff Writer
There was a lot not to like if you were a Phillies fan tuned in to one of the most highly anticipated games of any season -- Opening Day.
Cole Hamels continued his odd trend of starting the season with a thud. Although he's pitched brilliantly in postseason openers, Hamels, for whatever reason, tend to struggle in his first regular season start each year and Monday night was no different in serving up three home runs to the Braves.
Chad Durbin, who took over for Hamels, wasn't very good either. While the Phillies offense did a fine job of crawling back into the game, Durbin blew any momentum they were builing by giving up two runs without retiring a batter in the sixth.
Although no errors were committed (beware ever judging defense on stats), the gloves weren't that great either. Michael Young failed to corrall a hard ground ball up the line (inexplicably ruled a double), he bounced an easy throw to first base later (Ryan Howard saved it), Howard threw a ball wide of home and Domonic Brown bobbled a ball in left.
But wait, there was at least one reason to feel good about the first game of the season if you're a depressed Phillies fan.
Chase Utley.
Utley, who hadn't played in either of the last two Opening Days while battling chronic knee pain, went 3-for-5. He was a double away from hitting for the cycle.
Utley's home run was the 200th of his career and he ran so hard to leg out his triple that you wondered if this could possibly be the same guy who missed most of the first half of the last two seasons with knee problems.
"Same guy," Utley said.
Utley's bat has been alive for the last two weeks. Including the final nine exhibition games he played in, Utley is batting .389 (14-for-36) with 5 home runs, two doubles, a triple and 14 RBI in his last 10 games.
"I feel strong," Utley said. "I still think there’s room for improvement. That’s the whole goal."
Utley was the only true highlight of the Phillies opener. Let's hope this is the start of a phenomenal contract year for Chase. I got a little concerned when he went for the triple and appeared to wince; let's hope he was just a little winded.— DPinDC- Chase is back...— missurichie
- Did anyone ask him why he didn't slide on that triple? He either gave no credit to the Braves' outfield or doesn't realize he's 35 and maybe not quite as quick as at 25. Could have cost a run if he was out? Nice to see him hitting, but that doesn't mean he should get greedy.— kmon
- FYI - He did slide on the triple. — CPL33
- Its only one game not reason for suicide. Still on paper Nats and Braves look stronger than Phills. Phills bullpen with addition of Adams can be good. Braves with Kimbrell outstanding. Hard to believe some dissing Harper. Guess they are thinking with heart not head. Cant think of a player who put up numbers like Harper at 19 Y.O. He has hall of fame talent. Aumont has talent but until he learns to repeat delivery he will be fair at best.— Don w
- A lot of us seem to have forgotten : A Phils' very key piece ... perhaps their most important piece because he's the guy that four of the Phils five starters has been pitching to for years, and calling the games, and the Phils best bat of 2012 ... was not on the field last night. Chooch in last night's game may have made a big difference for Cole, and also a difference with his bat.
Panicking fans need to circle April 28th on their calendars.
— ExiledinFla - if he hadn't gone for third the phils wouldn't have gotten a run at all— dreinterests
- Utley came out of the blocks full steam...wish we could say the same about the #4 spot. More of the same I'm afraid.— dogman5
