Utley, Burrell Hit Phils to Victory
It was a sea of white and red at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday night as the Philadelphia Phillies took the field against the L.A. Dodgers. This is the Phillies first National League Championship Series since 1993 and Phillie fans across the world are rejoicing.
Cole Hamels took the mound for the Phillies, which boosted the confidence of Phillies fans, while Derek Lowe tried to pitch the Dodgers to victory. Hamels picthed another post season gem, going 7 innings while giving up six hits, walking two, and striking out eight. This would be a tough pitching match-up for both teams, but Philadelphia came out on top winning 3-2.
The Dodgers took an early lead with Manny Ramirez’s RBI double in the first inning. They scored another run during the 4th inning when Blake DeWitt hit a sacrifice fly which scored Matt Kemp to bring L.A. to a 2-0 lead.
In the 5th inning, the Phillies looked like they had some momentum when both Carlos Ruiz and Hamels both singled to right field. The inning ended when Jimmy Rollins flied out to left field.
In the bottom of the 6th, Shane Victorino hit a routine ground ball to shortstop Rafael Furcal, who commited a throwing error. Not only was Victorino safe at first, but he advanced to second base. Chase Utley stepped up to the plate and he knew exactly what needed to be done. Utley hit a blast deep into the right field stands, tying the game at 2-2. Ryan Howard grounded out to first base and then Pat “The Bat” Burrell was up next. The go ahead run was at the plate and Burrell blasted a 3-1 pitch into the seats in left field. The fans sent themselves into a frenzy after Burrell hit his homerun.
Burrell’s solo homerun ended Lowe’s night. He picthed 5.1 innings, giving up six hits, walking one and striking out two. The Phillies lead the NLCS 1-0. This afternoon Brett Myers will be taking the mound for the Phillies and try to pitch them to a 2-0 lead against the Dodgers.
If the Phillies win this afternoon, it gives them an advantage over the Dodgers in game 3, which will take place in L.A. on Sunday. Both teams are very similar and this will be a tough series. Being a Phillie fan, I am hoping they can come out of their 15 year drought and make it to the World Series. They have real potential to win this series against the Dodgers and hopefully make the dreams of Philadelphia fans come true.
