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The Phillies fell to the Marlins, 5-2, at Citizens Bank Park.
Last year's issues of inconsistency with hitting and relief pitching were on display once again. The Phils managed just five hits on the night and after Aaron Nola lasted 5 1/3 innings, rookie reliever Ramon Rosso allowed a walk, a pair of wild pitches and an RBI double as Miami put the game away.
As for the hitters, Manager Joe Girardi was asked if the batters are behind the progress of the pitchers in the early part of this shortened season.
"I think it's kind of early to tell," said Girardi. "A lot of times they have velocity. They're aces, too. I think time will tell as we get into this week. I think it's a bit early to tell just because the aces were on the mound and that's what you kind of expect from them."
The Phillies' ace had his share of struggles in his 2020 debut. Nola allowed four runs and five hits, including a homerun in the sixth. Nola did strike out seven while taking the loss and said it was different playing in front of an empty stadium.
“It’s definitely different not having the fans of course," Nola said. "Obviously, not as much energy in the stadium, but a game’s a game.”
This was the first game for the Phillies under the "new normal" conditions of the pandemic. The stadium was empty, but there was fake crowd noise and cardboard replicas of fans in the stands behind home plate. There were also fans outside the stadium behind the centerfield area showing their support for the Phillies. Nola says the team can't let the atmosphere change their approach to each game.
"Everybody's in the same situation," said Nola. "We can't really hang our heads that's there's not crazy energy in the stands. At the end of the day, we're trying to get the hitter out, and we're trying to win a baseball game same as our opponent."
The Phillies realize this is only one game, but they also realize time is short this season. There is plenty of time to regroup during a normal 162-game campaign, but the Phils will need to bounce back in a hurry with the urgency of a 60-game season this year.
"It's disappointing," Girardi said. "Everyone wants to win opening day, because you always remember opening day more than day three, day four, day five for whatever reason. Still, a lot of excitement. Pretty neat having the fans outside centerfield yelling. That's something I won't forget."