That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Phillies Opening Day: Five observations from a disappointing loss

By John Town

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 29: A general view of SunTrust Park during the National Anthem prior to the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies on March 29, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 29: A general view of SunTrust Park during the National Anthem prior to the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies on March 29, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 29: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves rounds third base after hitting a two-run homer in the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at SunTrust Park on March 29, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Bullpen off to poor start

Once Nola was pulled, things started to go downhill for the Phillies. Hoby Milner was brought in to face Freddie Freeman with a runner on second. Freeman then proceeded to hit a two-run home run that cut Philadelphia’s lead to 5-2.

The seventh inning went quietly, but the eighth is where things really went started to go sideways. Ozzie Albies led off the inning with a home run off Adam Morgan. A passed ball and a throwing error by Andrew Knapp allowed another run to score. Preston Tucker hit an RBI single off Edubray Ramos to tie the game.

Hector Neris was brought in to keep the game tied in the ninth, but he instead started off the season with a blown save. Neris got two outs, but allowed a runner to get to second. He intentionally walked Freeman, but Nick Markakis became the hero with a walk-off home run.

The bullpen was supposed to be the strength of the team this year, but they instead allowed the Braves to rally back from a 5-0 deficit to win the game. We will now have to question if they can be a strength.

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