Galvis makes (dubious) history in debut

PITTSBURGH — Freddy Galvis did what no Phillies player had done in 42 years: He made his major-league debut in the opening day starting lineup.

Then he made more history: He was only the 11th player in modern baseball to hit into two double plays in his debut game. No Phillie had ever done that before.

"When I got to the field, that first inning, I just looked around, saw the field, and enjoyed myself," Galvis said. "I've been working for that. I enjoyed it. It's lot different, baseball here."

Galvis assisted on five plays and made two putouts at second, one on a nifty 6-4-3 double play ball in the first inning that bailed out Roy Halladay from his only trouble.

There were nerves, the 22-year-old Venezuelan said. But after the double play ball, he could relax some.

"The first inning I was nervous," Galvis said. "After that, I felt good."

The last Phillies to make their debuts as starters on opening day were Larry Bowa and Denny Doyle in 1970.

For the record, Galvis said he wants his name to be pronounced as its spelled. No more GAL-vees as had been the case during spring training.

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