Just four batters into the game today, the Philadelphia Phillies trailed the St. Louis Cardinals by three runs.
And after that, the Phillies scored 11 unanswered runs to take a 11-3 lead and coast to an 11-6 lead and a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series.
What This Means: The Phillies are up one game on the Cardinals in the best-of-five National League Division Series following a game that was a statement, plain and simple.
Grading the Offense: The Phillies really needed their bats today, and they got the offense they needed. Ryan Howard led the way with a mammoth game-changing three-run home run in the sixth inning and added a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the seventh inning. Raul Ibanez hit a two-run home run of his own and drove in three runs for the day. Chase Utley played like the Chase Utley of the old, going 3-for-5 with two doubles and three runs scored. Jimmy Rollins was 2-for-4 with a walk and three runs scored, Hunter Pence was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and two two-out RBIs, and Shane Victorino was 3-for-4 with a run and two RBIs. For the day, the Phillies went 6-for-10 with runners on base, and the top six hitters in the lineup went 11-for-20 at the plate (.550). Grade: A
Grading the Pitching: Roy Halladay surrendered a big three-run home run in the top of the first inning – the first three-run shot he has given up of any kind since August of 2008 – but settled down after that and pitched absolutely lights out. He gave up three hits to the first seven batters he faced (plus a walk), then retired 21 straight. In fact, he went from the single that led off the top of the second inning to the lineout to left field with two outs in the eighth inning without allowing a ball out of the infield. Halladay finished the day with eight innings pitched, three hits, one walk, and eight strikeouts. In 17 career NLDS innings now, Halladay has now given up hits in two of them. Michael Stutes got roughed up in the ‘pen, which is definitely a concern because the Phillies are going to need better performances from their relief pitchers should it be a close game. Grade: B-
What’s Next: Tomorrow night the Phillies send Cliff Lee to the mound against Chris Carpenter, a battle of former Cy Young award winners. Lee is 7-2 with a 2.13 ERA in 10 career playoff starts, while Carpenter is 5-2 with a 2.93 ERA in nine postseason starts. Game two starts at 8:30 p.m.
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