Phillies Recap: NLDS Game Three

National League Division Series - Game Three

Philadelphia Phillies 6, Colorado Rockies 5
W - Chad Durbin (1-0, 0.00), L - Huston Street (0-1, 4.50), S - Brad Lidge (1)

The critical third game of the National League Division Series was intense, exciting, and very cold. The Philadelphia Phillies and Colorado Rockies played in the coldest NLDS game (at the start of the game) and it was a nail-biter. Neither Jay Happ nor Jason Hammel lasted very long in the game and it became a bullpen battle. After a four hour affair, the Phillies finally surged ahead for good and took the important game three by a final score of 6-5.

Game Summary: Philadelphia Phillies

Jay Happ got the nod in the game instead of Joe Blanton and Pedro Martinez. From the outset, he struggled with a very inconsistent strike zone and, perhaps, the cold weather. After being spotted a quick lead, he surrendered three runs in the first two innings and was lifted for a pinch hitter after three unspectacular innings. Joe Blanton came in with a lead and also promptly allowed the game to be tied. However, he delivered 2.2 decent innings, allowing just one earned run. The Phillies pieced together three more relievers before getting to Brad Lidge in the ninth inning. Working with the slimmest of margins and the top of the Rockies order, Lidge delivered a heart-pounding save.

At the plate, the Phillies battled all night. They didn't have trouble getting base runners as they had eight hits and eight walks and scored six times. Chase Utley got things started with a first inning homer and both Ryan Howard and Carlos Ruiz delivered a pair of RBIs. However, a critical double play by Pedro Feliz killed a big rally in the fourth inning. The Phillies also struck out eleven times as a team, but were fortunate to have a number of timely hits to keep them in the game early.

Game Summary: Colorado Rockies

Jason Hammel started the game very strong, allowing just Utley's solo homer through the first three innings while fanning five. However, it all fell apart for him in the fourth inning, which he did not survive, as the Phillies tacked on several hits and walks. The Rockies' bullpen came in and did a decent job, allowing just two more runs over the rest of the game. However, the Phillies were able to rally in the ninth inning off of closer Huston Street to take the lead for good.

The Rockies were not very clutch in key hitting situations in the game. They seemed like they were just one big hit from taking control of the game, however that hit never came. They threatened in almost every inning, as Carlos Gonzalez was their spark plug once again. The Rockies managed 10 hits and four walks off of Phillies pitching, but they left eight men on base and went only two for nine with runners in scoring position. Down a run in the ninth with two men on, Brad Lidge induced a harmless fly out from Troy Tulowitzki to end the game.

Phillies NLDS Previews

Overview, Rotations, Bullpens, Hitters, Benches
Game Previews: One, Two, Three, Four
Game Recaps: One, Two, Three, Four