Dodgers Bring a Knife to a Gun Fight: Still Take Game Three

If this is what it takes for the Dodgers to have some life in this series, then I feel quite happy with where the Phillies are in this series.

Now, the Dodgers certainly got the boost they needed in the series when they jumped on Grandpa Moyer for five runs in the first, and another in the second.

Sorry Jamie, we love what you did for the team and for Cole Hamels this year, taking him under your wing, preparing him for this deep run into the postseason, but I don't think Charlie Manuel can hand you the ball again this year.  Take note of JA Happ, the lefty that came in two pitchers after you, that's who I want in a possible Game six.

But before we digest that possibility, let's review what kick-started the "fireworks" last night after the Dodgers failed to respond to their best player being thrown at in Game two.

Oh wait, he didn't get thrown at. The Dodgers just needed something to rally behind and started yelling at Brett Myers on Friday.

Look, I know Myers has been bad during parts of this year.  But I'm pretty sure he has the control to plunk Manny in the back whenever the mood suits him.

Still, the Dodgers took exception, but no retaliation.  Until last night that is. 

In the second inning, Russell Martin takes a ball off his knee after the Phillies were down 6-1.  I got plunked enough in Little League to know that it's not a pleasant experience, but it was a struggling Jamie Moyer's change-up that hit him.

Not a fastball from Ryan Madson at 95 MPH, but a change-up coming in at 74.

Looking back, Martin didn't seem to be that upset, but it was starting to boil and then came to a head when he got buzzed by Clay Condrey in his next at-bat.

As Martin's rage started to rise through his batting helmet, he seemed to forget a few things—the Phillies have been trying to pitch inside all year, and that Clay Condrey is probably the worse pitcher in the bullpen.

But, he took it personally, and then it dawned on him—we still haven't gotten these guys back for Manny!

So, he takes an angry hack at the next pitch, and grounds into an inning-ending double play.  The next three minutes were hysterical, but it seemed to rally his team to his cause.

Martin did his best Incredible Hulk impression when he returned to the dugout—he must be getting some kickback with the DVD about to be released.

After his tantrum, he must of flipped through "Speaking Japanese for Dummies," so he could tell his pitcher in his native tongue "Throw at the short, Hawaiian dude's head."

So after all the posturing, the Dodgers failed to even get redemption correctly.  If their claim was that Myers was going after Manny, then why not throw at Howard?

Maybe they were afraid it might fix his swing.

Put it this way, the Dodgers weren't even a .500 team before Manny came around.  The Phillies know this, and won't let this sideshow distract them from the truth.

They're a better team.  And ask the Dodgers if they saw the Phillies play after a little adversity was thrown their way during the season.

You won't like them when they're angry.