The Game of Baseball

The Philadelphia Phillies came back from from a 2-0 deficit in the bottom of the sixth scoring their only three runs of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday night. The Phillies made those three runs stand up and took the first game of the 2008 NLCS by a final score of 3-2. The victory in front of the home crowd gives Philadelphia a 1-0 advantage in the series that will determine who will play the American League in the "Big Dance."

Los Angeles scored their first run in the top of the first off of Philadelphia starter Cole Hamels, as Dodgers left fielder Manny Ramirez had a RBI double. The Dodgers knicked Hamels for another run in the fourth. Center fielder Matt Kemp opened the frame with a two-bagger, and then went to third on a grounder to shortstop by third baseman Casey Blake. Second baseman Blake DeWitt drove Kemp home with a sacrifice fly to center. That would be the last run that Philadelphia pitchers would give up for the night.

Derek Lowe had pitched scoreless ball for five frames for Los Angeles but ran out of gas in the sixth. Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal allowed Philadelphia center fielder Shane Victorino to get to second base after throwing the ball away on what should have been a routine out. Lowe may have been shaken by the fielding gaffe as he gave up a two run dinger to second baseman Chase Utley tying the game. One out later Lowe would give up the eventual game winner as Pat Burrell hit a solo blast.

Hamels got the win for Philadelphia, Brad Lidge got the save. Lowe took the loss for the boys in blue. The series resumes Friday as the Phillies send Brett Myers to the mound. Los Angeles will counter withe starter, Chad Billingsley as they attempt to tie the series.