Phils Fall in Season Opener

By Angelo Saggiomo

Edgar Renteria's two-run homer in the 10th inning lifted Atlanta over Philadelphia, 5-3, in the 2007 season opener for both clubs at Citizens Bank Park.

Renteria, who finished 2-for-5 with three runs batted in, also tied the game in the eighth. With the Braves down 3-2, Renteria drove a two-out, 0-2 fastball from Brett Myers off the brick wall in center.

Brian McCann went 3-for-4, including a two-run homer, for the Braves, who had their streak of 14 consecutive division titles ended last season and finished third in the NL East with a 79-83 record. John Smoltz started on the mound and yielded three runs on eight hits while striking out seven and walking one in six innings.

Bob Wickman (1-0) earned the win by pitching a scoreless ninth and Chad Paronto notched his first save of the season.

Jimmy Rollins and Aaron Rowand each had two hits and one RBI for the Phillies, who finished last season 85-77, good for second place in the division, and three games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers for the wild card. Reigning NL MVP Ryan Howard ended 2-for-4 with a walk, but struck out twice.

Myers pitched 7 2/3 innings, scattering three runs on four hits with nine strikeouts and a pair of walks. Ryan Madson (0-1), who gave up Renteria's second homer, suffered the loss.

It was a pitching duel for the first three innings, but Atlanta struck first in the fourth.

Chipper Jones started things with a leadoff walk on four pitches, and after Andruw Jones popped out, McCann lined the first pitch he saw over the right field wall for a 2-0 lead.

Philadelphia did, however, cut its deficit to one in the fifth when Rollins crushed a two-out solo home run, and in the sixth, the Phillies scored twice to take a 3-2 edge.

With two outs, Wes Helms smacked an RBI double to deep center to plate Pat Burrell, who reached base with a single. Rowand followed with a pop up, which was ruled a single after the ball tipped off of second baseman Kelly Johnson's glove, allowing Helms to touch home.

Philadelphia had a chance for more in the seventh, but with runners at second and third and no outs, Shane Victorino and Howard struck out, and Chase Utley grounded out to shortstop.

Game Notes
Both teams resume their series on Wednesday...The Phillies played extra innings for the 12th time on Opening Day and the first time since 2001...Myers' nine strikeouts was the most Opening Day K's since 1998 when Curt Schilling recorded nine as well...Renteria notched his sixth-career multi-homer game...Rollins' home run came on his 4,000th at bat...Attendance was 44,742.