Phillies vs. Dodgers: The Dodgers scored twice in a bizarre eighth inning where the Phillies used five relievers to try to hold onto a slim 1-0 lead. Honestly, Philadelphia’s effort on the field in the frame was just ugly as they gave up two lead-off singles (a single by Casey Blake and a bunt by Ronnie Belliard) and moments later, Chase Utley would field a ball from Russell Ma
rtin and try to complete a double play. However, Utley’s throw to first would completely sail by Ryan Howard and allow Juan Pierre – who was pinch running for Casey Blake – to score and tie the game.
As a band of relievers came in for the Phillies, they would give up another hit, walk a batter, and struck out one before Andre Ethier came to the plate. J.A. Happ came in for Philadelphia and his job was to only get one out – Ethier – however, he would walk him and give the Dodgers a 2-1 lead.
The ninth inning was anti-climatic as Jonathan Broxton pitched a perfect ninth for the save. Chan Ho Park – the former Dodger – who was on the mound when the eighth inning implosion started, took the loss.
Philadelphia’s only run came off a Padilla mistake as Ryan Howard took one his pitches deep for a solo home run to right that gave them a 1-0 lead in the fourth. However, after that moment, Padilla was focused and pitched like an ace.
Padilla, in the end, would not warn a decision, ad he went 7 1/3 innings, but when he was yanked, he left the field to a hero’s welcome.
Meanwhile, Pedro Martinez – on the mound for Philadelphia to start the game — was vicious, and for one day looked like the Pedro of old, going seven innings, allowing only two runs, and striking out three. He’s not the fireballer that he was with the Red Sox – but the man knows how to pitch to batters, and got a lot of help from his defense.
Angels vs Yankees: The New York Yankees took the first game of the ALCS as they beat the Los Angeles Angels, 4-1, thanks to key offensive hits in the first inning, and the golden arm of prized pitcher, C.C. Sabathia.
Sabathia, the large southpaw, went 8 innings for the win, and was he ever dominant, giving up only a run in eight innings. He struck out seven and gave up four h
its. Mariano Rivera got the save.
Meanwhile, John Lackey took the loss as he went 5 2/3 innings and gave up four runs – two earned – on nine hits. The Angels got killed by errors in the mid-point of the game, and the Yankees – a s they always do – took advantage.
New York scored twice in the first off Lackey as both Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon both reached on singles, and Alex Rodriguez would plate Jeter. A few minutes later, Hideki Matsui had an infield single which scored Damon to put them up 2-0.
The Angels finally got on the scoreboard in the 4th inning as Kendry Morales had an RBI-single; however, the Yankees got a run back as they got two runners on in the fifth, and Hideki Matsui plated in a run with a double to make the score 3-1. Alex Rodriguez, who was at first, went all the way around and tried to make it home, was tagged out at the plate ad he tried to barrel over catcher Jeff Mathis.
The Yankees scored again in the bottom of the 6th as Derek Jeter hit a ball up the middle, and center fielder Torii Hunter misplayed a ball, allowing Melky Cabrera to sneak in.
