There's no place like home; Phillies are victorious in 2023 Home Opener

There is no place like home, and the Phillies love playing at home more than anyone. The Phillies returned home to Citizens Bank Park for the first time since game 5 of the 2022 World Series. The Phillies were victorious over the Cincinnati Reds by a score of 5-2. The Phillies are now 2-5 in 2023.

The pregame festivities kicked off with Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins both raising the 2022 NL Pennant up in center field, and Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.

Zack Wheeler got the start for the Phillies. He went 5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, and 5K while getting the no decision. The Phillies bullpen has been the major weakness of the Phillies early in the campaign. The quartet of Andrew Bellatti, Gregory Soto, Jose Alverado, and Craig Kimbrel kept the Reds locked down only giving up 1 hit, walking 2, and striking out 5 over 4.2 innings. Soto was credited with the win and Kimbrel locked down the save.

The Phillies offense was electric from start to finish. JT Realmuto, Trea Turner, and Nick Castellanos each contributed 2 hits, with each of them scoring at least 1 run. Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm each continued their hot starts to the season by each adding a hit.

The Phillies got the scoring started after Brandon Marsh pulled out a walk with the bases loaded in the 2nd inning. Kyle Schwarber added a double in the 6th that scored Turner all the way from first base. Realmuto hit his first homerun of 2023 with a 2-run homerun to left field in the 7th. Edmundo Sosa got the call to pinch-hit in the 8th and wanted part of the fun and added his first home run of the season in the 8th inning.

Prior to the game the Phillies placed Darick Hall on the 10-day IL and announced he will need surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. In doing so they called up Kody Clemens from AAA Lehigh Valley. Clemens the son of 7x Cy Young award winner Roger Clemens went 0-2 in his Phillies debut.

The Phillies and Reds will continue their series tomorrow at 4:05pm. Bailey Falter is expected to start the game for the Phillies.