Duck Worthy

Duckworth Whiffs 10 in Testy Home-Opening Win Over Marlins

Brandon Duckworth's secret to success is pretty simple. In fact, it's so simple he doesn't mind sharing it with everyone.

"I just try to keep it simple. Just slow things down," the unflappable rookie said. "It came in the upbringing. My parents taught me at a young age that you can only do so much so don't get revved up over things you can't change."

But Duckworth's and the Phils' 6-2 win against the Florida Marlins in the 2002 season opener in the Vet was anything but simple. Sure, at first glance at the boxscore it appears that the 26-year old righty had his way with the Marlins, whiffing a career-high 10 while giving up just four hits and one measly run in six innings of work. Had catcher Mike Lieberthal been able to squeeze and locate a fourth-inning wild pitch thrown with slick, cold fingers in the 43-degree air, perhaps Duckworth would have worked through the middle innings with a shutout.

	Marlon Anderson gestures toward pitcher Kevin Olsen after getting plunked by a pitch in the seventh inning of the Phils' win. (AP)

"I was trying to do too much out there at times but for the most part, things felt good," Duckworth said.

As it stands, Duckworth did have a few struggles during his first win of the season, which helped the Phils improve to 2-2. He plunked two batters, which, along with reliever Rheal Cormier's pitch in Cliff Floyd's ribs, provided the impetus to a brushback by Marlins' starter Julian Tavarez and a minor, bench-clearing "discussion" after Marlon Anderson was hit by reliever Kevin Olsen.

Duckworth also walked two and uncorked two wild pitches, all while putting a runner on base in five of his six innings. During the fourth, he hit Floyd to start the inning, surrendered a ground-rule double to Kevin Millar before whiffing the next two. After an intentional, unintentional walk to load the bases, Floyd scored when Lieberthal couldn't find a high fastball that popped out of his glove and landed a few feet away from him like a flubbed sand wedge shot.

All of this came while throwing 111 pitches and working deep into a lot of counts as any pitcher with 10 strikeouts on a cold day would. Admitting he had trouble gripping the ball, Duckworth knew he had to get ahead early against hitters while establishing the inside of the plate. Sometimes it worked, other times he got a little wild.

But it wasn't anything he couldn't handle. In fact, the more pressure the better.

"It is my opening start. First home game, out of the chute in the cold weather... it's what I want," Duckworth said. "There are a lot of expectations but I love that. I love to go out and prove to everybody that I can pitch."

See, it is that simple.

"He doesn't panic when he gets into jams," manager Larry Bowa said. "He keeps his poise and he uses all of his pitches."

His poise is almost scary for a kid pitching in just his 12th career major-league game.

Duckworth certainly earned first-star honors on an afternoon where Bobby Abreu and his 4-for-4, two double, two-run homer and three RBI outing could have. He also filled out the stat sheet with two runs, a steal and ended up just a triple away from the cycle. However, most of the 50,958 who showed up on the cold, opening day (not counting a church-on-Christmas, overflow media throng), came out of a morbid curiosity. They wanted to hear what kind of reception free agent to be Scott Rolen would receive.

For those who came to boo the star-crossed third baseman, Rolen didn't give them much ammunition. A mixed reception (more cheers than boos) turned happy after Rolen reached base in all five of his plate appearances (2-for-2, double, three walks and an RBI). Afterwards, Rolen admitted to joking with his teammates about the anticipated catcalls we would receive for turning down a seven-year, $90 million contract offer that had the potential to reach 10-years and $140 million so he could test the proverbial free agency waters. In sum, he was pleased with how he was treated... for now ("Hey, it's a long season," he joked.).

"I'm very pleased with the way everything turned out," Rolen deadpanned.

"I was nervous, had some anxiety," Rolen said. "I heard quite a few cheers and it made me feel good. If I can finish the season without making an out or an error at home, I'd be happy with that."

So far, so good.

For the Phils, Jose Mesa recorded his second save in his second appearance. Leading 6-1 heading into the ninth, Ricky Bottalico was called upon to close shop in a non-save situation. However, after retiring the first hitter he faced, he gave up a run on three straight hits before Bowa called on Mesa.

The series against the Marlins continues Saturday with David Coggin making his first start of the season against potential rookie of the year, Josh Beckett. In Sunday's finale, Robert Person (0-1, 5.40) looks to rebound from a rough opening-day outing versus the Braves when he goes up against hard-throwing Ryan Dempster (0-0, 3.68).

Notes: Olsen and Marlins' skipper Jeff Torborg were ejected when Olsen hit Anderson. "I really don't know if it was intentional," Torborg said. "It's always hard to tell. I just know two of our big guys got hit three times. I don't want to see anybody get hurt." ... Despite some flurries and cold temperature, the Phillies got their largest crowd at a home opener since 1994 when 58,627 came to see the defending NL champions. ... Lieberthal, who sustained a season-ending knee injury last May, has caught all four games this season. Bowa said the two-time All-Star won't start Saturday. ... Tavarez had been 3-0 with a 2.93 ERA in 15 games against the Phillies. ... Duckworth's previous high was seven strikeouts against the Dodgers last Aug. 12. ... In two outings and just 2/3 of an inning pitched, Bottalico has allowed five hits, two homers and three runs for a 40.50 ERA.

John R. Finger
ComcastSportsNet.com