If nothing else, the Phillies continue to be entertaining.

Unless Cole Hamels is pitching a complete-game shutout, no lead is safe on either end - the team's offense will either catch up or it's bullpen will give it up.

Both happened on Opening Day at Citizens Bank Park Monday.

After Brett Myers had one of his shaky innings - yes, this was always Brett's issue as a starter: there was also one inning each start where he'd just 'lose it' - Chase Utley, Carlos Ruiz and Jimmy Rollins got the runs back.

And then Tom Gordon gave the Nats a bigger cushion.

Yikes.

I'm glad I praised the bullpen in my MLB preview and mentioned 'Brett Myers' and "Cy Young Award talk' in the same sentence, too. Great call, rookie.

By the way, here is Tom Gordon's ERA in the last three outings: 59.40.

Heck, his ERA in the 2008 season is 135.00.

But Gordon, who is pitching with a torn labrum, by the way, has gone through hot and cold stretches before. And he said his health wasn't an issue after the game Monday.

When Brad Lidge returns this weekend - that's still the plan, he said Monday - Gordon will resume his set-up role. Maybe that's where he's better suited.

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The Archive Files

Here is a recap from the mess that was Opening Day for the Phillies pitching staff.

And in the notebook, the Jimmy Rollins shines on offense, struggles on defense in Game 1.