Braves-Phillies Opening Night Review: I'll Give This a Shot

Last night (April 5) the Atlanta Braves defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 behind eight shutout innings from acting ace Derek Lowe.

The Bravos got off to a fast start with a Brian McCann two-run, upper-deck shot in the top of the first off of the shaky Brett Myers, who managed six innings with three home runs and four earned runs allowed, as he struggled to find a groove with his curveball.

Jeff Francoeur provided a solo shot on the first pitch he saw of the '09 campaign, providing hope that he may have already put his dreadful 2008 behind him.

Jordan Schafer provided the best action, as he became the 99th player in Major League Baseball history to blast a home run in his first career at-bat. 

The 22-year-old center fielder went 2-for-3 with that homer, an intentional walk, a single, and also experienced his first ever big-league slider when he whiffed against lights-out closer Brad Lidge in the ninth.

An intense moment came in the bottom of the ninth when Mike "The Rocking Chair" Gonzalez worked his way into the worst jam Braves' pitching (aka Derek Lowe) had seen all night.

After allowing an Eric Bruntlett double and Jayson Werth screaming single, which drove in Bruntlett, Gonzo walked Chase Utley to bring up Ryan Howard as the potential tying run.

Once behind in the count, my heart stopped as the Atlanta closer worked the count back to 3-2, and I knew a fastball was coming to the dangerous Howard.

My mind flashed back to March 31 against the Nationals when Peter Moylan allowed a walk-off homer to Ryan Zimmerman to spoil Atlanta's Opening Night festivities.

Thankfully, Howard failed to launch one as he watched a 93 mile-per-hour heater blaze by.

However, the overthrowing pitcher was not out of the woods yet, as the rbi machine Raul Ibanez stepped to the plate.

He fell behind yet again, and, once again, worked his way back to a K situation. 

And he came through.

BRAVES WIN! BRAVES WIN!

Despite what ESPN said (mostly because I never like to agree with Joe Morgan, Steve Phillips, and Jon Miller), Logan...err...Jordan Schafer (jab at Jon Miller) was the player of the game for me, not Derek Lowe, although he was worthy.

I mean, how much more can you ask from a rookie in his first big league game?

He had the best first game for a Brave since Jeff Francoeur, as he homered and singled against, at least in my opinion, the best No. 2 in the game today. He was a major cog in the Braves' first Opening Day victory since 2007 in Philly.

Plus, he reassures my selection of him with the last pick in my fantasy draft (Yes, I started him).

The Braves currently lead the league in HRs (3), and are tied in quality starts (1), and wins (1).  They also have the leading candidate for ROY in Jordan Schafer (I'm kidding about this last sentence, of course).

Up next: Jair Jurrjens vs. Moyer on April 7.