Milledge starts the inning with an infield hit, but Zimmerman flied out to right. The Phils have held Zimmerman to an 0-for-4 day with a sac fly -- and the Nats still have six runs.
Nick Johnson cranks a double that scores Milledge. Put the rally caps back on and hope it's only a one-run deficit.
Victorino made a nice play to make it close at the plate, but Milledge stepped over the tag of Carlos Ruiz, who had to field a Jimmy Rollins' relay throw that was up the first base line.
Ruiz, trying to pick Johnson off at third, throws the ball into leftfield. It really wasn't a smart play. Lo Duca follows it up with a double that scores another run. There's a stampede to the exits as Rich Dubee visits the mound.
Clay Condrey is warming up for the Phils as the Nats continue to pound the ball. This time Ronnie Belliard rings one off the wall to give Washington a four-run lead.
Here comes Charlie.
Manuel brings in Condrey and Greg Dobbs in a double switch. Dobbs will bat ninth, Condrey sixth, where Pedro Feliz had started. Still only one out.
The doubles fest continues as Dmitri Young bangs one to rightfield that nearly was a homerun, not that it would have mattered. That's the third double of the inning for Washington.
Comments (14)
WHY IS ROMERO NOT PITCHING ANOTHER INNING??!?!?! this has bad news written all over it
Posted by Ed | March 31, 2008 5:42 PM
Posted on March 31, 2008 17:42
Uncle Charlie's done got a system.
Posted by Chris | March 31, 2008 5:44 PM
Posted on March 31, 2008 17:44
If you have romero pitching another inning, why is gordon on the team? You want to wear romero out this early?
Posted by Joe | March 31, 2008 5:48 PM
Posted on March 31, 2008 17:48
oy!just brutal!'flash should've been released in the off-season.
Posted by oz | March 31, 2008 5:49 PM
Posted on March 31, 2008 17:49
No, Joe, I want to want to win the game. And I dunno, you tell me, why is Gordon on the team? Bringing him into a tie game = so so so predictable. And Romero threw 12 pitches, I bet he would've gotten through this one unscathed. Thanks, Flash!
Another Opening Day slopfest...sigh...
Posted by Ed | March 31, 2008 5:50 PM
Posted on March 31, 2008 17:50
Anyone have any Pepcid or Tums, because this is what the Phillies are doing to me. Making my stomach hurt
Posted by Kevin O'Brien | March 31, 2008 5:51 PM
Posted on March 31, 2008 17:51
Gordon sucks.........stick a fork in him
Posted by RICH | March 31, 2008 5:52 PM
Posted on March 31, 2008 17:52
Gordon's the best they got, unfortunately. Did you see the dredge that performed last year that came from the minors? If they need to release him, that's another issue, but you don't pitch romero two innings.
Posted by Joe | March 31, 2008 5:53 PM
Posted on March 31, 2008 17:53
why not romero again. don't they have tomorrow off
Posted by Jeffrey Brown | March 31, 2008 5:57 PM
Posted on March 31, 2008 17:57
pickoff johnson? the guy with bursitis in his hip? he's a real threat to go somewhere
Posted by Jeffrey Brown | March 31, 2008 5:59 PM
Posted on March 31, 2008 17:59
get your quote before entering the locker room.
a)it's a marathon;not a sprint!
b)it's early;we're not worried.
c)flash has good numbers against the nationals.
d)all of the above
Posted by oz | March 31, 2008 6:01 PM
Posted on March 31, 2008 18:01
Romero and Gordon were so effective last year. You gotta play that duo like Charlie did, to let your boys try and win it in the bottom of the ninth. That said...man Gordon didn't look good, hindsight...20/20 Isn't that how it goes?
Posted by jemerson | March 31, 2008 6:03 PM
Posted on March 31, 2008 18:03
come on Oz we're from philly. it's all about the game we're playing!
Posted by Jeffrey Brown | March 31, 2008 6:03 PM
Posted on March 31, 2008 18:03
How do you spell relief? Not "The Phillies Bullpen"
Cannot blame the offense for this one, Jimmy and Chase looked great. Be nice to win the opener for a change. Maybe next year huh.
Posted by stufla | March 31, 2008 6:19 PM
Posted on March 31, 2008 18:19