Phillies hang on for series opening win, 8-6

Carlos Ruiz's three-run home run sparked a big fifth inning. (AP Photo)

Carlos Ruiz and Raul Ibanez homers lead the way

The Phillies offense exploded in the fifth inning with five runs and the bullpen was able to hang on to the lead late in the game and the Phillies won game one of the NLCS against the home town Dodgers. The 8-6 victory gives the defending World Series champions home field advantage back in their corner.

The game started off with some left over tension from last year's NLCS. After Shane Victorino was picked off for the third out in the first inning Dodgers catcher Russell Martin and the Phillies center fielder had a small heated exchange. Martin took some pitches personally in last year's NLCS and was an instrumental figure in having a ball tossed toward Victorino's head in last year's game three. When Victorino came up to bat in his next appearance the two had some more words to say, but nothing really developed past that in this game. Keep an eye on it though.

The Dodgers struck first when James Loney hit a lead-off home run off of Phillies starter Cole Hamels. It was a tough night for the Phillies starter. Making his first start since the birth of his first child Hamels looked pretty good early despite the home run. With Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw equally impressive, if not more, it was imperative that Hamels stay on his game to give his team a chance to win.

The Phillies took the lead and seemingly control of the game in the fifth inning. Raul Ibanez got things started with a lead off single, just the second hit of the game for the Phillies, and advanced to second on a wild pitch by Kershaw. With the third youngest pitcher to ever start a postseason game one in baseball history all of a sudden struggling to locate his pitches, the Phillies pounced on the opportunity. After Pedro Feliz worked a quick walk Carlos Ruiz hit his second career home run to left field, giving the Phillies a 3-1 lead. Hamels followed with a walk and Jimmy Rollins grounded into a fielder's choice, forcing Hamels for the out. Rollins moved to second on another wild pitch by Kershaw and to third on another. After Chase Utley walked Ryan Howard hit a double that was reminiscent of his ninth inning double in game four of the NLDS earlier in the week. The double to right field scored Rollins easily and with Utley hustling around the bases two runs came across the plate to give the Phillies a 5-1 lead. That would be the end of the evening for Kershaw.

Hamels was unable to lock down the Dodgers in the bottom of the inning though as he was rattled by a sloppy play from the usually sound Utley. After getting into a situation with runners on the corners and one out Hamels got Andre Ethier to ground into a fielder's choice to Rollins. Rollins had a tough time getting the ball out of his glove before flipping to Utley at second for the force. Utley then rushed his off-balanced throw to first for a shot at a double play but soared the ball into the Phillies dugout. A run scored on the play and Hamels did not hide his apparent disgust as he flung his arms in the air and glared at Utley. Manny Ramirez, who really did some damage against the Phillies in last year's NLCS, took advantage of the extra out and homered to left center field, glared in the Phillies' dugout and brought the Dodgers to within one run, 5-4.

Chan Ho Park made his first appearance since going on the disabled list with a hamstring injury. Entering in the seventh inning with Ethier at second base Park was looking to preserve the one run lead. His first batter faced was Ramirez, who grounded to third base, unable to move Ethier up. Matt Kemp struck out for the second out and Casey Blake grounded out to end the inning. It may have been the most important inning of the game for the Phillies and Park performed admirably in his first appearance since the middle of September.

Looking for insurance after clinging to a one run lead in the eighth inning, Ibanez delivered. After the Dodgers' big trade deadline acquisition, reliever George Sherrill, took over on the mound and promptly walked Howard and Jayson Werth, Ibanez quickly sent a three run home run to the right field stands. The three run blast gave the Phillies an 8-4 lead and it would seem that the bullpen would be able to put things on cruise control, but Ryan Madson struggled in the bottom of the inning. Madson gave up base hits to he first three batters he faced, allowing one run to score, before recording an out. A Rafael Furcal sacrifice fly would bring one more run across for the Dodgers but that would be all the scoring in the game.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel brought in Brad Lidge in the save opportunity. After Matt Kemp lead off with a base hit Lidge was able to get Casey Blake to ground into a double play. After a walk to Loney, Lidge then was able to get Ron Belliard to pop up to Rollins to end the game.

The Phillies take a 1-0 lead in the NLCS and are three games away from reaching the World Series for the second consecutive year. Pedro Martinez will get the start in the second game on Friday afternoon. The Dodgers will counter with former Phillies pitcher Vicente Padilla.

Howard's RBI double in the fifth inning moved the first baseman past Mike Schmidt for the franchise record in postseason runs batted in. Howard now has 18 career postseason RBIS and he did so in 14 fewer games than the Hall of Fame third baseman.

Photo source: Raul Ibanez (AP Photo)