Phillies Go High over Lowe

Dodgers starter Derek Lowe was breezing along last night, having shut down the Phillies for five innings. Manny Ramirez, playing in his first NLCS, had driven in a run and the Dodgers led 2-0. Rafael Furcal threw away Shane Victorino's lead off grounder and moments later Lowe was leaving the game down 3-2.

Chase Utley, who slumped in the division series win against the Brewers, tied the game up with a shot to right. Lowe retired Ryan Howard, but Pat Burrell went deep as well and the Phillies led for the first time Thursday night. Joe Torre wasted no time and went to Chan-Ho Park, who along with Greg Maddux and Hong-Chih Kuo shut down the Phils for the rest of the night. But the damage had been done.

Cole Hamels went back out and retired the Dodgers in the seventh to earn the win. After Ryan Madson threw a scoreless eighth, Brad Lidge pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for the save.

The Dodgers struck first in the second inning on back to back doubles by Andre Ethier and Ramirez. LA added to the lead in the fourth when Matt Kemp doubled to lead off the inning, moved to third base on Casey Blake's ground out and scored on Blake DeWitt's fly out to center field. Lowe had scattered four hits until his demise in the sixth.
Game 1 Box Score

Game 2

Phillies skipper Charlie Manuel will be managing with a heavy heart this afternoon (4:30 EDT start) after learning of his mother's passing. June Manuel, 87, had suffered a heart attack on Tuesday. Manuel, one of eleven children, had lost his father when he was just a teenager.

This afternoon's match up will see Chad Billingsley (16-10, 3.14) face off against Brett Myers (10-13, 4.55). Myers struggled early, but was huge down the stretch, especially in August, when he went 4-1, 1.65 in six starts.