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Philadelphia Phillies Opening Day 2017: Five Observations From Philly’s Win

By John Town

Apr 3, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco (7) slides in safe under the tag of Cincinnati Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart (16) during the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco (7) slides in safe under the tag of Cincinnati Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart (16) during the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 3, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson (58) pitches during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports /

Jeremy Hellickson is Not a Runner

Jeremy Hellickson took the ball for the second straight year on Opening Day, and this year he started off his season on the right foot. The righty gave up just one run in five innings, allowing six hits and one walk with one strikeout.

Hellickson’s biggest contribution to the game may actually have come at the plate. In the top of the sixth inning, he knocked his first career triple to drive in Philadelphia’s fourth run of the game. It was the first triple on Opening Day for a pitcher since 1963.

If Hellickson has his wishes, it may be his last triple as well.

“I’m never doing that again,” Hellickson told reporters. “I’m stopping at second no matter what…I was catching my breath for about 30 minutes when I came back in here.” Hellickson said he was still feeling the effects of the triple when he came out of the game in the bottom of the sixth.

Next: Phillies Featured Player: 3B Maikel Franco

Philadelphia’s next game comes Wednesday when Jerad Eickhoff takes on Brandon Finnegan at 7:05 PM EST.

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