Clutch Sixth Fuels Phils To 3-2 Win
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Thu, October 09, 2008 11:31 PM | Comments: 70
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Down 2-0 in the sixth inning, Shane Victorino faced off against Derek Lowe. The speedster hit a tough grounder to Rafael Furcal, who had the play, but rushed it, overthrowing the ball and giving Victorino two bases. With that small opening, Chase Utley made the best of it with a two-run shot to right field. Two batters later, Pat Burrell lined a homer to left, giving the Phils a 3-2 lead, one they’d hold to take game one of the best-of-seven National League Championship Series.
The sixth was a huge inning for the Phils — they took clear advantage of a slightly fazed Lowe, and Utley drove the first hanging sinker he saw into the seats. That’s all they needed to change the game.
The three runs gave Cole Hamels a win. Hamels was good, only getting beat by a Manny Ramirez moonshot that landed a few inches short of a home run, and a sac fly that scored the doubling Matt Kemp. He threw a lot of pitches, but really, a big start for Hamels in his first LCS outing. (By the way, Lowe was stunning — his pitches remained low, he was practically unhittable until that sixth.)
Hamels also made a big play on the other side. Maybe the key to the game was Hamels’ base hit off Lowe in the fifth inning (preceded by a Carlos Ruiz single — one of two hits for him). With the unexpected hit, Hamels woke up the crowd and turned the lineup around. Victorino would lead off the sixth, and that’s when it all turned around.
With a 3-2 lead, Ryan Madson took the eighth with gusto, flushing out the heart of the Dodger order with his fantastic changeup and blazing fastball. He bridged it to Brad Lidge, who dumped Los Angeles in an easy ninth frame. The bullpen was huge — the pitching was huge. This win was huge.
Associated Press photo
Posts: 0 NEPA
Unbelievable win. So pumped.
Posted: 11:33 PM on October 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Ryan
LET’S GO PHILLIES!!!
Posted: 11:33 PM on October 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Griffin
let’s go Brett, big game tomorrow
Posted: 11:35 PM on October 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Joephilly
I just hope Brett isnt too pumped that he leaves his pitches up and gets hurt. We all know what a firey guy he is. I think we got this though. Win game two tomorrow. Grab a game in LA and finish it out at home in game 6.
Posted: 11:40 PM on October 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
I am so pumped right now!
Posted: 11:42 PM on October 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Clare
I was there! It was AWESOME! I flew home to go and I knew they would win. I’m so happy! =)
Posted: 11:50 PM on October 9, 2008
Posts: 0 ashley
i love october baseball!
Posted: 11:50 PM on October 9, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
Midnight – Happy Birthday Pat Burrell.
Posted: 11:52 PM on October 9, 2008
Posts: 0 christopher
man, just… wow. what a great start to the series. watching cole tonight was a joy, even when they were down. that guy is magic on the mound.
Posted: 11:54 PM on October 9, 2008
Posts: 0 PHUCK THE PHILLIES
PHUCK THA PHILLIES YOUR GONNA PHUCKIN CHOKE…WHEN BRAD LIDGE COMES IN HES GONNA GET A BIG PHUCKIN PIC OF PUJOLS IN HIS MIND AND PHUCK UP…PHAGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Posted: 11:57 PM on October 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Ryan
You mean like he choked tonight? STFU trolls.
Posted: 11:58 PM on October 9, 2008
Posts: 0 SJ Mike
Whoah, there’s an angry, angry person. Are you TJ Simers?
Posted: 11:58 PM on October 9, 2008
Posts: 0 christopher
all the trolls in the world couldn’t phase me right now. i’m so psyched for this team and to be one game up in the NLCS. can’t wait for tomorrow!
Posted: 12:05 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
What does this moron prove? Is he a Mets or Dodgers troll?
Posted: 12:07 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
Tim Malcolm’s top-5 Phils:
1. Cole Hamels (composure, ace-like 7th inning)
2. Chase Utley (big, clutch homer)
3. Pat Burrell (buried Lowe)
4. Shane Victorino (his legs started the rally)
5. Ryan Madson (awesome job bridging the win)
Posted: 12:07 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Rob
PHUCK THA TROLLS!!! GO PHILLIES!!!
Posted: 12:14 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 mikemike
I am a big sixer fan. I got two comp. tickets for tomorrow phillies game.. Does anyone know if its true if you show your ticket. the sixers will let you into the game tomorrow free of charge.
Posted: 12:34 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 mikemike
Has anyone been on the dodgers blog. To see what they are saying about the game tonight.
Posted: 12:36 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Shawn Victorino
does anyone else think that joe buck and the fox crew was so totally sucking dodger c*** tonight? I mean it was ridiculous how much the commentators LOVE manny and the rest of the dodgers. They barely said anything about the Phils all night!!
Posted: 12:37 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Dice
a) Fox and ESPN are hoping begging praying that they get The Dodgers and Red Fux I mean Red Sox in the World Series
b) The second Ruiz and Hamels got back to back hits on Lowe was what rattled him
c) The difference in this game, beyond the score, was the obviously the defensive ability of Jimmy Rollins and Rafael Furcal (or lack there of in Furcal’s case)
d) On the constant comparisons to the 1993 squad, here’s hoping Myers does not turn into Tommy Greene tomorrow night with getting over hyped up.
Posted: 12:44 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
Where’s Scot? Is Hamels not an ace Scot? He sucks in big games. Let’s up home runs in big games. He’s such trash. Send him packing.
I actually figured it out. Hamels pitches his worst against the NL East. I’m not sure why. Regardless, he’s the man.
Also, I don’t think we’ll have to sign a set-up man next year. Madson is our guy.
Posted: 12:45 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 STLCardsfan
AWESOME WIN!!! Man this team is fun to watch, and they are making me forget my team staying home for the postseason. GO PHILLIES!
Posted: 12:47 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike W.
MIKEMIKE: Yes it is true. I am doing the same tomorrow, going to the game, and then gonna head over to the Sixers for free. It can also be used to get in free to the Phantoms game.
Posted: 12:47 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 had_my_phil
I just loved the moment when Charlie took a personal trip to the mound to make sure Madson knew how to pitch Manny. All those years teaching young Manny, and now using his knowledge to get him out.
Posted: 12:52 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 mikemike
thanks
Posted: 12:53 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Justin
20 years old and dont remember ’93. This is just awsome!
LETS GO PHLLIES!
Posted: 01:01 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike W.
Ugh….you know how to make someone feel old? Tell them you don’t remember 1993!
Posted: 01:04 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
I cried in 93 and screamed that I hated Mitch Williams. I was 9 fyi.
Posted: 01:04 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Husker Brian
phuck the phillies? Look at the scoreboard!
Posted: 01:05 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike W.
I was 13…I think it remains the only time of my life where I cried out of sadness about a sports team…hoping to cry out of happiness this year.
Posted: 01:07 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 christopher
buck and mccarver were nowhere near as bad as the TBS crew was by the end of the last series. and fox did a great job with the shots of CBP, little touches like the shot of the rocky statue (and the rocky music), the liberty bell, and a great presentation of the fans, the crowd noise, and the atmosphere in the 9th. nothing to complain about on that end, especially after TBS’s coverage.
Posted: 01:29 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike W.
I agree, Buck and McCarver were actually very welcome after TBS. I’m glad the AL gets stuck with them.
Posted: 01:42 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 STLCardsfan
MLB needs to ditch TBS and go back to the way it was up until last season, with ESPN and FOX doing the games.
Posted: 02:50 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Dave
Was in section 305 tonight, may possibly be the most electric crowd i was ever in, AMAZING! I was 5 in ’93 and I remember every last thing about that season…As long as the crowd is that loud tomorrow for Pat The Bats birthday we are winning the game…LETS GO MYERS AND LETS GO PHILS!
Posted: 03:03 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Mark
Great game for Hamels, Victorino, Utley and Burrell. But we need more of that offense. 3 Runs did it in game one, but to take this series, we need much more like that 6th. Hamels was sensational after being touched by Manny in the 1st. Ramirez went 2 for 4, but after that 1st inning double, there was nothing on his platter to deliver on.
Let’s go Myers! A win today gives us command of the series, and I wanna see a replay of 1983, the last time these 2 teams met each other in the post-season.
Posted: 03:36 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Ax
Mark I agree w/ u. The Phills need more base runners, so the can produce runs. Don’t get me wrong, i’ll take the W, but is there any other in baseball that depends on the long ball as much the Phills. I think this series is going 6 poss 7 games, tuff games, but I think the Phills will prevail. Oh yeah, as for no love for the Phills, F the national media, F Fox sports, and F Espn. There’s nothing better than being the dog and biting the favor. Maby after we ruff up LA their tune will change. GO PHILLIES!!!!!
Posted: 06:17 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Jason
looking ahead a little bit here, but who else thinks the Phillies should make a run at Lowe in free agency this winter?
Posted: 06:36 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Phillies Win One ... Palin Losing One? | JordanCornblog
[...] Phillies pulled out a 3-2 win with a big sixth inning and so are up 1-0 over Manny and the Dodgers (a sixties Motown group that some of you may remember [...]
Posted: 06:43 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Bill
This is friggin awesome. I was in Germany in ’93, so only got to follow it thru the headlines 2 days after the fact. Too young to really remember much about ’80. I’ve never been this fired up about a team. Methinks this came was a pretty good indicator for how the whole series is gonna go. I’m sticking with Phils in 7, 6 if they get a little luck.
BTW, on the subject of crying over sports teams – ’87 Flyers, game 7, ’nuff said. Hope we’re all crying for joy by the time this is all over.
Posted: 07:36 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Greg B
Check that pitch Utley hit. That was no hanger. That play to Furcal wasn’t “tough”, but speedy Vic obiously did rush him. LET”S GO BRETT! Big one tonight. Love to go LA up 2-0.
Posted: 07:51 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
It was a sinker that hung just enough for Chase to get under it. And yeah, when I wrote tough I’m thinking Vic always makes it tough with his legs.
Posted: 08:06 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 adam
phils keep finding ways to win! what a game!
Posted: 08:41 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 adam
I’m thinking tonight is going to be high scoring, but the phils will come out on top
Posted: 08:42 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Sean P.
A couple of you guys said you liked the Fox commentators. I thought they were terrible… they were hanging off of Manny Ramiraz nuts like he was the next coming of christ. Maybe its better to be flying under the radar….
Funniest quotes of the night…
(after ruiz lets the past ball) Usually he sucks those balls up.
Then touting Ryan Madson for having the best changup on the team (Multiple times). Funny they say that on the game Cole Hamels started. These guys must not know to much about the Phillies.
GO PHILLIES!
Posted: 08:43 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Rob Cowie
I love all of you people. Your gameday comments keep me going through work at nights and its truely a pleasure to do this site along with Brian and Tim just for this.
Posted: 08:53 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Greg B
No, by far and away the best comments of the night belgoned to a mic’d up Greg Dobbs.
I don’t recount verbatim, if someone does please post:
“You think he was out?”
“It was bang-bang though, right?”
“Let’s go watch it in slow mo”
The way they panned to him after Vic and Lowe collided, I was expecting something insightful. I think it was…just unintentionally so.
McCarver and Buck did talk about Manny an awful lot, but McCarver’s points on pitch location were actually alright. It’s almost like he was a big-league catcher or something.
Why he was trying to give Manuel a hard time for not wasting his best bat off the bench (Dobbs) to lay down a sac bunt, I will never know.
Posted: 09:01 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Isaiah
Not a surprise but there wasn’t much love for the bridge to lidge on fox last night. GO MADSON!!!
Posted: 09:02 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Theresa
Love Burrell’s response to the “how great does this feel?” question in the post game…..shows they are not willing to settle for nothing but the WS title.
Posted: 09:12 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Dan
not trying to dwell on the bad things- I was at the game and had the best time of my life- but does anyone else think rollins was safe at first? Also, I’m sure it was discussed on the gamechat but taguchi??? Wow, talk about a rally killer. We coulda used that insurance.
Posted: 09:13 AM on October 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Dave
What a win! 1 down, 3 to go……Let’s hope Chase goes on a roll now….I thought the most interesting stat was the Dodgers record before and after Manny….the way they worship him, you would think they were 15-20 over .500after he arrived…..but they were .500 when he got there, and only 6 over after he got there…..not that big of an impact….wouldn’t have gotten the Dodgers into the playoffs if their division wasn’t so horrible.
Go Brett!!
Posted: 09:14 AM on October 10, 2008