Phils Win '17 Opener; Magic Number Decreases by One

2017 Topps #222

Phillies 4, Reds 3
Game 1 - Monday Afternoon, April 3rd in Cincinnati
Record - 1-0, Tied for 1st place, 1 game ahead of the Braves and Marlins

One Sentence Summary:  The offense contributed seven extra-base hits as Jeremy Hellickson pitched five solid innings on the way to a 4-3 opening day win over the Reds.

What It Means:  Game 1 of the 2017 World Series will be on October 24th.  You may want to mark your calendars, Phillies fans.

What Happened:  Cesar Hernandez became the first Phillies lead-off hitter to start the season with a home run since Heinie Mueller did it in 1938.  Freddy Galvis added a solo home run in the second. In what would prove to be a key insurance run, Hellickson tripled home Galvis in the sixth.

Hellickson allowed a run on six hits in five innings of work.  Jeanmar Gomez continued his 2016 struggles by allowing a two-run home run to Scooter Gennett, but he eventually locked down his first save of the season.

Featured Card:  Hernandez gets the nod for starting the season off with a bang.  This is his 2017 Topps card from Series 1.  In case you're wondering, I've posted the two Mueller cards I have in my collection in posts from prior years.

Phillies Debuts:  Four players made their Phillies debuts in this game.

• Howie Kendrick (lf) - Kendrick batted second and enjoyed a great debut for the Phils, going 3 for 5 with a double.
• Michael Saunders (rf) - Saunders contributed in his debut with an RBI-double in the first.
• Joaquin Benoit (rhp) - Benoit pitched a scoreless sixth inning, stranding an inherited runner from Hellickson and striking out two.
• Brock Stassi (ph) - The new fan favorite pinch-hit for Edubray Ramos in the eighth and drew a walk in his first big league plate appearance.