The Atlanta Braves defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 7-45 in their 2013 Season Opener as the offense did not disappoint backing up a shaky outing by Tim Hudson. On this night, the Braves relied on three home runs to get their victory and win the first game of the season.
First baseman, Freddie Freeman, got the Braves offense started in the bottom of the first inning. With Jason Heyward on first, Freeman golfed one out to right field. In the following inning, Dan Uggla, who didn't hit his first home run until the 12th game in 2012, sent a moon shot to left field to give the Braves a 3-0 lead. The last jack for Atlanta came in the bottom of the fifth after the Phillies trailed by just one run. With his short compact swing, Justin Upton celebrated his Braves debut with a solo shot to left center.
The Braves smacked 10 hits in this game and Freeman had three hits on this night. Heyward and B.J. Upton were the only position players without a hit in this game. Chris Johnson, the Braves new third baseman, went 2-3 with a walk and a run scored. Gerald Lair, the Braves backup catcher, went 2-4 with a RBI in this one. The Braves feasted off of Phillies pitching beginning with Cole Hamels, who went 5 IP allowing 7 H, 4 ER, 1 BB and 5 Ks. Chad Durbin followed and retired nobody while allowing 2 ER on 2 H and a walk.
It wasn't a good night for pitching as the Braves' Hudson went only 4.1 innings allowing 3 ER on 6 H, walked three and struck out three batters. The Phillies eventually got to Hudson in the fourth inning as Chase Utley had a night to remember with a home run, a triple and a single and three RBI.
The Braves had a 7-3 lead and the Phillies chipped away scoring runs off the bullpen. In the eighth, new acquisition, Jordan Walden ran into some trouble with the tying run at the plate. Lance Nix popped up and then Ben Revere struckout swinging.
Craig Kimbrel came in to pitch the ninth inning and closed out the game striking out Jimmy Rollins, getting Utley to pop out and then got Howard to fly out.
These two teams have the night off tomorrow and will restart their series on Wednesday. Paul Maholm will take the mound for the Braves and he'll be facing Roy Halladay.
