CINCINNATI - Soon after the grounds crew removed the eight tractors that pinned the white tarp to the field at Great American Ballpark, the Phillies again flaunted their patience. They had bled Cincinnati's opening-day starter, Scott Feldman, for 27 pitches in the first inning two days earlier. On Wednesday, they forced Brandon Finnegan to throw 25 pitches to achieve the first three outs without a run to show for it.
That concluded the offense's production in a 2-0 loss to the Reds.
It was a night that resembled so many from a season ago, with a thin margin for Jerad Eickhoff that plummeted with one bad pitch to an exceptional hitter.