Buchholz, Red Sox rout Phillies on Opening Day, 8-0

WP: Clay Buchholz (1-0, 0.00 ERA) LP: Cole Hamels (0-1, 7.20 ERA) Attendance: 45,549

The Boston Red Sox (1-0) have shutout the Philadelphia Phillies (0-1), 8-0, in today's Opening Day matinee at Citizens Bank Park.

The first three innings largely featured the dominance of Boston's starter Clay Buchholz. In just 32 pitches, 23 for strikes, the only Phillies runner that made it on base against the right hander was due to his own fielding error with two outs in the bottom of the first.

Cole Hamels, on the other hand, largely struggled with his command in the first three frames, having thrown 64 pitches and walking three batters. In addition, he allowed two solo home runs, one to second baseman Dustin Pedroia in the top of the first, and the other to center fielder Mookie Betts in the third.

The first hit of the day for the Phillies came in the bottom of the fourth with two outs. Down 0-2 in the count, first baseman Ryan Howard hit a two-out double to the gap in left-center field. A rally started to emerge as catcher Carlos Ruiz walked after seven pitches in the following at-bat, however left fielder Grady Sizemore ended the inning by grounding into a force out to shortstop Xander Bogaerts.

Hamels' struggles continued, especially into the top of the fifth inning where he allowed two more solo home runs to his opposition. With one out, Pedroia took the southpaw deep for the second time of the day. Two batters later, former Florida Marlin and current left fielder for the Red Sox, Hanley Ramirez, went yard to increase his team's advantage to 4-0.

With 100 thrown pitches, 64 for strikes, the 2008 World Series MVP's day would be over. He allowed four home runs, which ties his record for most allowed in a game. In five innings, Hamels gave up four earned runs on five hits and three walks, while striking out six batters.

Right handed relievers Luis Garcia, Jeanmar Gomez and Justin De Fratus threw scoreless innings of relief in the top of the sixth, seventh and eighth respectively.

Ruiz picked up the Phillies' second hit of the afternoon with a one-out single to right field in the bottom of the seventh. The next batter, Grady Sizemore singled past the second base bag to put two runners on, however third baseman Cody Asche and shortstop Freddy Galvis failed to bring either runner home.

Clay Buchholz threw seven shutout innings today against the Phillies, allowing just three hits and one walk while striking out nine batters. Center fielder Odubel Herrera in his Major League debut, second baseman Chase Utley, and Asche each struck out two times, while Ruiz, Galvis and Hamels struck out once. 65 out of Buchholz' 94 pitches were thrown for strikes.

With one out in the top of the ninth, left handed reliever Jake Diekman surrendered a grand slam to Hanley Ramirez, his second home run of the game and sixth grand slam of his career to increase the Red Sox' lead to 8-0.

As offense for the Phillies was seemingly nonexistent this afternoon, it appears the only form of entertainment fans received came from Emily Youcis, the Aramark employee nicknamed "Pistachio Girl".

With today's loss in the books, the Phillies have now failed to come out victorious in four consecutive Opening Day games. They are just 2-8 in their last ten season openers dating back to April 3, 2006 against the St. Louis Cardinals.

– Starting Pitchers –

– Out of the 'Pen –

Red Sox

Phillies

– What's Next –

Wednesday, April 8, 2015: vs. Boston Red Sox, 7:05 pm

RHP Rick Porcello vs. RHP Aaron Harang

• TV: TCN, ESPN2
• Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, SBP 1480 (Sp.)

Matt Rappa (@mattrappa) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.