Phillies Pound 'Pen

The Philadelphia Phillies drew first blood in the National League Division Series. Although the best of seven series is lengthy, history dictates the winner of Game One goes on to win 60% of the time. Last year’s World Series champions beat Joe Torre’s Dodgers8-6 at Dodger Stadium Thursday night. The bullpens determined the outcome of the game, and it was Philadelphia’s who was up for the task. Phillies’ closer, Brad Lidge, secured his third consecutive save this post-season to preserve the promising win. Charlie Manuel’s bullpen allowed one less run than Torre’s in the slugfest affair. The Phillies closer, who was so effective in the playoffs last season, worked around a ninth inning walk and a single. Lidge appeared healthier and in control on the mound, and the results rewarded his team with the crucial first game of the NLDS.
Dodger-tormentor, Carlos Ruiz, clocked a three-run homerun off L.A. starter, youngster Clayton Kershaw. Ruiz also drew a walk earlier in the game off the hurler. He was one of two batters to reach base before the fourth inning when Kershaw’s command and approach went haywire. Shane Victorino was the other Philly to reach safely, but was picked off attempting to steal. Cole Hamels and his talented club found themselves in an early 1-0 hole after James Loney rocketed a rare shot off the Phillies starter. Hamels was mediocre throughout the contest, and Dodger fans had every reason to believe their bullpen had the upper-hand in a close game. The home team was well-positioned to complete a comeback, even after Kershaw imploded and exited the game. In the top of the fifth, Kershaw was victim to Raul Ibanez’ two-run left field homerun. He also issued a pass to second baseman, Chase Utley, on a full count. First base power hitter, Ryan Howard, followed Utley’s base-on-balls with a hot shot to right. Two runs scored on the double. Howard passed Philadelphia legend, Hall-of-Fame third baseman, Mike Schmidt in the post-season RBI department (17).
The Dodgers showed how excellent and sanguine they could be in the bottom half of the frame. The comeback ability was augmented as L.A.’s offense unloaded. The Dodgers scored three runs on three hits and an Utley error. Manny Ramirez hit a tater to left on a 2-0 count. The Dodgers trailed by just one run headed into the sixth. Ronnie Bellasario retired the Phillies in order in the top of the sixth. Loney and Ronnie Belliard clubbed one-out singles in the L.A. half to knock Hamels out of the game. Pinch-hitter and one of the Dodgers’ dangerous weapons, Jim Thome, drew a walk off starting pitcher, J.A. Happ appearing in a relief role. The Dodgers had the bases loaded for veteran Raphael Furcal. Furcal grounded out to Utley to end the threat, stranding three runners on base.
Southpaw Philadelphia relief specialist, Alberto Bastardo gave up a double to Andre Ethier in the bottom of the seventh. The Dodgers could not capitalize as Manuel brought in former L.A. starter, Chan Ho Park. The Phillies didn’t come up empty in the top of the eighth. They scored three more runs to pad the lead in the deadly frame for the Dodgers. George Sherrill could not overcome two five-pitch walks to Howard and Jayson Werth. The Philadelphia offense picked apart and devastated Sherrill, highlighted by Ibanez’ second long ball of the night. Ibanez has to be one of the best off-season acquisitions by any ballclub this year. Down by four runs in the bottom of the eighth, the Dodgers drove deep balls and accumulated 4 hits. Los Angeles found the Phillies best reliever as of late, Ryan Madson, quite hittable last night. The effort produced two runs for the home team, but still two shy of tying the score.
Park’s pitching probably occurred at the most crucial moment in the game. The Phillies lead 5-4 when Park entered the game in the seventh. He preserved the lead and the momentum from shifting back to the Dodgers when he sent Ramirez and Casey Blake back to the dugout groundout sufferers. Park struck out Matt Kemp with inside fastballs, jamming the Dodger centerfielder inside. The Dodgers are down a game, but it wasn’t for lack of offense. L.A. got on base and scattered fourteen hits to the Phillies’ eight. It was all about the bullpens in the Golden State last night. The Phillies’ executed concisely and consistently. The niggling Dodgers’ bothersome bullpen blew blue’s chances. They couldn’t contain the Phillies, who prove they thrive under pressure. The Phillies tempered the dreams the Dodgers harbored. Torre’s Dodgers are going to have to implement a different strategy if he doesn’t want an early exit again this year.

Parting Points: I can’t wait for the ALDS Game One tonight.
Song of the day- “The World I Know” by Collective Soul