Phillies vs. Dodgers: Game 1

The anticipated ideas or thoughts of this series was to expect the Phillies to score on the Dodgers 3rd, 4th, and 5th starters who have been struggling so far in the post season. However, we did not see the Phillies putting up 8 runs on the Dodgers ace and #1 starter Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw cruised through the first three innings only allowing two hits as well as throwing shut out ball. The Phillies were still productive in their at bats, despite not getting base hits, as they made Kershaw throw a lot of pitches during that span. Phillies hitters were working the counts as well as fouling off a lot of close pitches. When the top of the 5th inning rolled around, Clayton Kershaw was beginning to tire from all the pitches he had thrown in the previous 4 innings. In that inning, Kershaw could not find the strike zone early in the count which lead to him throwing batting practice like fastballs on 3 and 0 counts. Kershaw was also not getting any break on his curveball and the Phillies hitters took advantage by putting up a 4 spot in that inning. after Ryan Howard's two run double, Kershaw was yanked from the game. Just 6 and a third innings pitched and 5 earned runs. The Dodgers responded with a solo shot from James Loney and a 2 run blast from Manny Ramirez. The Phillies bullpen continued to struggle as they gave the Dodgers a myriad of opportunities to get back in the game. The Dodgers failed to take advantage. The Dodgers had their work cut out for them after Raul Ibanez hit a three run homerun to stretch the lead to 8-4. The Dodgers bounced back in the 8th inning by loading the bases with no outs. Phillies reliever Ryan Madson had some troubles but managed to get out of the inning with littile harm donw; two runs scored. Jonathan Broxton shut down the Phillies in the top of the 9th and on cam Brad Lidge, closer for the Phillies. Lidge got Casey Blake to line into a game ending double play. Lidge got the job done. I'm sure Phillies fans were relieved.