Phillies score 12 runs in 1st inning against Nationals

Sep 20, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) hits a single against the Chicago White Sox third inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) hits a single against the Chicago White Sox third inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Phillies rallied for 12 runs in the first inning on Saturday and Nationals starter Jeremy Guthrie got replaced before the inning concluded.

The Philadelphia Phillies ended their Saturday game before it ever started, cashing in on 12 runs during the first inning. Interestingly enough, Philadelphia scored all 12 runs without hitting a home run.

Cesar Hernandez started the party for the Phillies, cracking a leadoff double. He also managed to reach base twice that inning, later recording a walk. Maikel Franco, Michael Saunders, Freddy Galvis, Howie Kendrick, Odubel Herrera and Tommy Joesph all recorded RBIs during the first inning for Philadelphia.

The first inning for the Phillies was a historic one. Philadelphia scored more runs in the first inning than the Royals, Mariners, Braves and Pirates have scored on the entire season. Interestingly enough, Philadelphia only scored 12 runs just one time during the 2016 season. According to ESPN, this is the fourth time in the wild card era a team has ever scored that many runs in the first inning.

Nationals starter Jeremy Guthrie was making his first start of the season after being called up from Triple-A on a minor league contract. Saturday night, Guthrie gave up 10 runs on six hits while only managing to get two outs.

Guthrie, 38, has played for five different teams in his career but didn’t start off the 2017 season particularly well. He now has a 135.00 ERA on the season.

Can you blame the Nationals if they release him after just one game with the team after that outing? Reliever Enny Romero had to close out the first inning, striking out catcher Cameron Rupp.

Philadelphia is obviously going through a rebuilding stage right now but it is a great sign to see any team score 12 runs.

Next: Best Starting Pitchers in MLB History

With one of the stronger farm systems in baseball, the Phillies organization is on the rise. After the inevitable win today, the Phillies moved to 2-3 on the young season.