Well when the game started it didn’t look good.  After getting in an early hole and trailing by seven late in the game, it appeared the Phillies were well on their way to starting the season 0-3 for the second time in three years.  That was until the Phillies sent 12 men to the plate in the 7th inning, scoring eight runs, giving the Phillies an 11-10 lead. An insurance run in the eighth gave enough cushion for Brad Lidge (who despite giving up a home run to Matt Diaz), to remain perfect and save his first game of 2009.

The Good:

- Raul Ibanez had his first big game in a Phillies uniform.  The left fielder west 2 for 3 with three RBI’s.  Ibanez hit his first home run of the season in the second inning, tying the game at two.

- Chase Utley is showing no lingering effects of off season surgery.  Utley went 2 for 4, with a double and two RBI’s.

- Ryan Madson made his season debut in the eighth and was dominant, retiring all three batters he faced.

- Pedro Feliz went 2 for 4 with an RBI.

- Clay Condrey only faced one batter, but it was with the bases full of Braves and two outs.  He struck out the only batter he faced and picked up the win.

The Bad:

- J.A. Happ made his first appearance of the season and allowed two runs in two innings.  The damage came when Jordan Schaefer took him deep in the fifth inning, giving the Braves a 7-3 lead.

- Chad Durbin followed Happ, and couldn’t last an inning.  Durbin gave up one run on one hit and walked three.  His command was non-existent against a patient Braves lineup.

The Ugly:

- Joe Blanton had the worst outing of all Phillies pitchers in this young season.  Blanton got behind in the count early, and never really set the tone on the mound, becoming the third consecutuve Phillies starter to give up two runs in the first inning.  Blanton allowed seven runs on nine hits in five innings.

- Jimmy Rollins continues to struggle.  Rollins was 0 for 5 with three strikeouts.  He also left five men on base.  Rollins has started the 2009 campaign going 1 for 14.

-  Through three games Phillies pitching has now allowed eight home runs.

Today is an off day as the Phillies travel to Colorado.  Cole Hamels will make his debut on Friday against Jason Marquis.  All eye will be on Cole and his elbow.  For Phillies fans planning to catch a game at Coors Field, bundle up.  Colorado in April isn’t exactly baseball weather.