Pitching ace Roy Halladay was dominating on the mound and Ryan Howard hit his first homer of the season as the Philadelphia Phillies began their defense of the National League Pennant by crushing the Washington Nationals, 11-1, to win their 2010 opener Monday afternoon.

Now that's the way to start the season.

Oh yeah, some guy named Barack Obama threw out the first pitch.

Halladay struck out nine batters in seven innings of work, allowing one run, six hits and two walks in his National League debut.

Ryan Howard hit a two-run homer to right field in the fourth to give the Phillies a 2-1 lead.

Third-baseman Placido Polanco, making his return to the Phillies, had six RBIs, including a grand slam in the fourth inning that put the game away.

Game 1 of the 2010 World Series is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 27. Halladay is penciled in to start that game. See you then.

Keep up with the Phillies at the team's Web site.