Phillies Recap: NLCS Game Five

National League Championship Series - Game Five

Philadelphia Phillies 10, Los Angeles Dodgers 4

W - Chad Durbin (1-0, 0.00), L - Vicente Padilla (1-1, 6.10)

Philadelphia Phillies Win National League Pennant

After an exciting National League Championship Series, the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers four games to one. In tonight's clinching game, the Phillies bats came alive again, as they posted ten runs on the Dodgers. Cole Hamels was not sharp but their bullpen picked him up and the Dodgers had pitching issues from top to bottom on the night. With an LCS record-tying seven home runs in the game, the scoring came early and often. In the end, the Phillies came away with a 10-4 victory and advance to their second consecutive World Series.

Game Summary: Los Angeles Dodgers

Vicente Padilla was spotted a quick lead and promptly gave it right back to the Phillies. Padilla did not have the great command he demonstrated in game two of the series. As a result, he was pounded for six earned runs over three innings, including a pair of homers. The Dodger bullpen came in but was equally ineffective. Game one starter Clayton Kershaw came in and surrendered a homer and two earned runs which helped ice the game away. As a unit, the Dodgers' pitchers were not good all series.

On offense, the Dodgers pelted Cole Hamels with three home runs. However, part of their trouble in this game was the fact that all three long balls were solo shots. When the Dodgers had runners on base, they lacked the one big hit that would have moved them back in the game. Andre Ethier had a pair of hits, including a first inning homer to give the Dodgers a brief lead. After that, it was all down hill for their offense, as the Dodgers squandered prime scoring opportunities in the fifth and eighth innings.

Game Summary: Philadelphia Phillies

Cole Hamels did not have the strong start that the Phillies were looking for. Fortunately, they were able to out-hit their counterparts and get Hamels off of the hook. Hamels surrendered three homers and was not sharp at all, as his pitch count grew quickly through three innings. Hamels did not make it through the fifth inning, but the Phillies bullpen came in and shut down the Dodgers. The pen went 4.2 innings and allowed just one earned run. Chad Durbin recorded the win, and got Manny Ramirez out in a key situation in the fifth inning.

The Phillies' offense came to play in this clinching game, despite the heart of their order going hitless. Jayson Werth picked up the slack with a pair of homers and four RBI on the night. Shane Victorino added a two-run shot and the offense was really propelled by key extra-base hits. Patience at the plate led to three walks and three hit batters, and compensated for only eight Philadelphia hits. As a unit, however, the Phillies really put on an offensive show, and kept the game out of reach for the Dodgers.

Phillies NLCS Previews
Overview, Rotations, Bullpens, Hitters

Game Previews: One, Two, Three, Four, Five

Game Recaps: One, Two, Three, Four, Five