This pitcher allowed a Phillies record eight Opening Day runs -- and got the win

In the Divisional Era (1969-->), a Phillies pitcher allowed five or more runs 12 times.

Unsurprisingly, the Phils lost 11 of those 12 games.

But this pitcher allowed a Divisional Era-record eight runs, helped blow a 6-0 Phillies lead, and still ended up getting credit for a W. Do you know who it is?

Hint one: lefty.

Hint two: 2014.

Hint three: middle name "Phifer."

Hint four: It's Cliff Lee.

© Eileen Blass | 2019 Nov 182014 was a miserable Phillies season, but Opening Day wasn't bad. Jimmy Rollins hit a second-inning grand slam to help give the Fightins a 6-0 lead over the Rangers in Texas.

Lee then surrendered a touchdown, putting the Rangers up 7-6.

The Phillies scored a run in the fourth to tie the game, then a John Mayberry double in the top of the fifth plated Carlos Ruiz and Cody Asche to make it 9-7 in favor of the good guys. The Fightins would keep scoring and win the game, 14-10.

RECAP: @JimmyRollins11's slam leads hit parade as #Phillies outslug Rangers. http://t.co/Izac3vs1Kn pic.twitter.com/97Nbz4LKRl

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 31, 2014

Lee allowed one more run but finished five innings. His line: 5 IP, 11 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 101 pitches (71 strikes).

That outing placed him alongside Jon Lieber (2006) for the most Opening Day runs allowed by a Phillies pitcher in the Divisional Era:

Data via stathead.com

Turns out it's tough to win on Opening Day if one of your pitchers allows five runs. The Phillies relearned that lesson just last year, when Jose Alvarado surrendered five runs against the Braves in a relief outing.

Lee and Lieber do not own the Phillies' franchise record for runs allowed on Opening Day. Dating back to at least 1901, that honor goes to Elmer Jacobs in a 1919 complete game.

Jacobs' outing would have provided great relief to Togie Pittinger, who held the record from 1905 through 1918. Sadly, however, Pittinger died from Bright's disease at the age of 37 in 1909.

Data via stathead.com

Based on earned runs, Lee's 2014 Phillies Opening Day outing is still tied for the worst ever, with '06 Lieber, 1938 Wayne LaMaster, 1960 Robin Roberts, and possibly poor 1905 Togie P. (it's unknown whether all of the runs charged to Pittinger were earned).

Here's hoping Zack Wheeler has better luck on Thursday against the Nationals.

Read More Phillies Content At On Pattison

1. Is 2025 A Make-Or-Break Year For Bryson Stott? 
2. Rob Thomson Has Changed His Tune On Potentially Rotating Leadoff Hitters
3. Phillies Have Added 'Biocentric Lighting For Peak Performance' In Clubhouse
4. John Kruk, NBC Sports Philadelphia Reportedly Reach Long-Term Extension
   
5. You Can Now Watch The Phillies On MLB.TV In Market
   
6. Phillies Sue Analytics Companies For Allegedly Planning To Work With NL East Rivals 
   
7. Phillies Mailbag: Will Kyle Schwarber Or J.T. Realmuto Be Extended Before Season? 
   
8. Here's How To Watch Every 2025 Phillies TV Broadcast 
9. It Appears Citizens Bank Park Has Been Further Digitalized
10. What Is The Phillies Uniform Schedule?