Phillies Win Opener Despite 19 Strikeouts

The Philadelphia Phillies began their season with a 7-3 victory over the Washington Nationals in extra innings, despite a record 19 strikeouts on Opening Day. Bryce Harper, who was met with boos from Nationals fans, hit a crucial home run in the seventh inning to tie the game. Alec Bohm criticized the visibility conditions caused by shadows at Nationals Park, which he blamed for the high number of strikeouts. Harper, who previously played for the Nationals, expressed his affection for the park and its staff, recalling many positive memories there. The victory highlighted the Phillies' resilience, as they overcame a strong performance by Nationals' starter MacKenzie Gore, who struck out 13 batters. The game raised questions about the suitability of Nationals Park for day games due to the challenging shadow conditions.