National League Championship Series - Game One
W - Cole Hamels (1-0, 6.75), L - Clayton Kershaw (0-1, 9.64), S - Brad Lidge (1)
The beginning of the National League Championship Series was exciting and provided a preview into what the rest of the series will be like. Neither Cole Hamels or Clayton Kershaw pitched especially well and both were gone before the sixth inning concluded. In a back-and-forth affair, the Phillies actually led for most of the game, but it didn't feel like it. The Dodgers answered every Phillies rally but fell just short. The Phillies prevailed in a heart-pounder by a final of 8-6.
Game Summary: Philadelphia Phillies
Cole Hamels started the game and looked to once again dominate the Dodgers lineup. However, early on he was forced to throw a lot of pitches. He allowed an early homer and then after the Phillies spotted him a lead, gave back a hand full of runs. The rally against Hamels in the fifth inning was keynoted by a Manny Ramirez homer. In the sixth, Hamels again found trouble and was lifted for the bullpen, which was pieced together to hold off the Dodgers. Ryan Madson looked especially shaky but they got a huge boost from Chan Ho Park. Brad Lidge earned his third consecutive playoff save in the ninth.
On offense, the Phillies kept rolling, blasting a pair of homers on the evening. Carlos Ruiz got things started and continued his impressive playoff track record with a three-run homer in the fifth inning. Ryan Howard joined in with a two-run double to cap off the fifth inning scoring and Clayton Kershaw's outing. As the game progressed, it felt as though they would not break through to bolster their lead against the Dodgers bullpen. However, an instant rally in the eighth inning was mustered when Raul Ibanez blasted a three-run homer to give the Phillies their final cushion.
Game Summary: Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers got a good start from Clayton Kershaw early. He mowed through the Phillies in the first four innings. Where have we heard that before? In the fifth inning, the Phillies really got to him, chasing him after scoring five earned runs. George Sherrill was also touched up for three runs in the eighth inning. But aside from that, the Dodgers bullpen was sharp. As a team, the Dodgers staff allowed only eight hits, but seven walks, five of which scored, really hurt them.
Hitting came easy to the Dodgers in this affair, as they seemed to hit line drives and grounders through every hole. They put together 14 hits and had base runners in almost every inning. However, they only went 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position. Andre Ethier and James Loney, the Dodgers' primary lefties, led the way with three hits a piece. Nevertheless, the lack of clutch hits befell the Dodgers and left them on the short end of the decision.
Phillies NLCS Previews
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment