Phinally Winning in the Playoffs Again

“It wouldn't be the Philly way. No matter what sport, we don't make it easy.” That's what Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins said about a week ago regarding winning the NL East. Last night in Game 1 of the NLDS, the Phillies made their first playoff victory since the 1993 World Series look easy until the ninth inning.

Cole Hamels pitched eight shutout innings, striking out nine, in the Phillies 3-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. Hamels gave up only two hits in the win, a single to Brewers right fielder Corey Hart in the top of the fifth and a single to second baseman Craig Counsell in the sixth.

“Cole Hamels being Cole Hamels,” Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard said after the game.

Hamels looked much better than he did last year in the postseason against the Colorado Rockies when he threw a 40-pitch second inning, giving up three runs in the 4-2 loss. The Rockies went on to sweep the Phillies in three games.

Yesterday it was clear the Phillies put last year's woes behind them.

“Because of last year, I learned what it really takes in trying to kind of mellow out, not to have that sort of excitement where you can't really control everything,” Hamels said. 

In the bottom of the third, Brewers pitcher Yovani Gallardo gave up a single to catcher Carlos Ruiz. Hamels reached first on an error by second baseman Rickie Weeks. After outs by Rollins and right fielder Jayson Werth, Chase Utley hit a two-run double. The Brewers then intentionally walked Howard. Walks to outfielders Pat Burrell and Shane Victorino scored Utley, giving the Phillies a 3-0 lead.

With Hamels' pitch count at 101 after eight, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel brought in All-Star closer Brad Lidge to end the game.

After striking out Brewers center fielder Mike Cameron, Lidge gave up a single to pinch hitter Ray Durham. Left fielder Ryan Braun followed with an RBI double, scoring Durham after an error by Utley.

Lidge recovered with an eight-pitch strikeout to Brewers power hitter Prince Fielder, second on the team in home runs with 34. But a walk to J.J. Hardy and a wild pitch put both runners in scoring position for Hart.

Lidge delivered the final pitch of the game, his 35^th of the inning, with a 2-2 count. As 45,000 fans cheered and waved their towels around, Hart swung and missed securing the save for Lidge and the win for Hamels.

“I think he read too much into me saying it wouldn't be the Philly way if things weren't difficult,” Rollins said after his first career playoff win.  

Lidge remains perfect as the Phillies closer after going 41-for-41 in save opportunities during the regular season.

“I felt strong the whole time,” Lidge said. “That's what adrenaline will do.”

Winning the first game is important for Philadelphia. In the Wild Card era, teams that have won Game 1 of the NLDS have gone 23-3. Besides that, they go up against Brewers ace CC Sabathia tonight at 6 p.m.

Sabathia, the 2007 Cy Young winner, is 11-2 as a Brewer with seven complete games.

Brett Myers, 7-4 since being called back up from the minors, will take the mound for Philadelphia.