Dodgers Split First Two Of NLCS With 2-1 Win

The LA Dodgers have a great pitcher looking to make a name as Vincente Padilla pitched a great game not earning a decision but working with command.

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V. Padilla threw 7 1\3 innings allowing one run and 4 hits as the Dodgers defeated the Phillies for game two.

A true champion Phillies pitcher 37 year old Pedro Martinez is still pitching with spot on control shutting down a powerful offense.

Pedro pitched 7 scoreless innings allowing only two hits to give an impressive outing.

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The interesting at bat for the Dodgers would be when they began the bottom half of the 2nd inning with LF Manny Ramirez coming to bat.

Manny would be facing a good friend of his former teammate of the Boston Red Sox Pedro Martinez.

Pedro would handle M. Ramirez the way he has in the past getting him to pop out to 1B Ryan Howard.

On the other side of the field from the Dodgers bench they also had a determined starter in former Texas Ranger LA's starting pitcher Vincente Padilla.

Vincente was looking to give it back to his old Texas Rangers team who can only be spectators at this point of the season.

V. Padilla would have his work cut out for him as his team entered the game after dropping last night's game one.

He would get touched up with one out in the top of the 4th inning when Phillies Ryan Howard took him deep to left center field for a solo HR.

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R. Howard's blast gave him his first home run for the NLCS.

Vincente Padilla would bounce back to get the final 2 outs of the inning to enter to bottom half of the 4th down 1-0.

LF Manny Ramirez would get another crack at Phillies Pedro Martinez with 2 outs in the bottom of the 4th inning.

Pedro would reach back to gun the ball to the end of Manny's bat to get another fly out to 1B Ryan Howard to end the threat with a one run lead.

Dodgers Vincente Padilla was outstanding as he was also pitching a gem after allowing the solo HR.

Pedro would go on to pitch a shutout through seven innings as Chan Ho Park came out to pitch the 8th inning.

This pitchers duel would carry on into the bottom of the 8th inning when things opened up on a throwing error from Phillies 2B Chase Utley.

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On a tailor made double play C. Utley's throwing error caused LA's Juan Pierre to score to tie the game at 1-1.

With one out and a runner on first Dodgers manager Joe Torre would send Jim Thome to pinch hit for the pitcher Hong-Chih Kuo.

Philadelphia would counter with a pitching change sending 37 year old Scott Eyre to the mound.

Jim Thome roped a single to move the runner over to third as the Phillies would need another pitching change to bring in Ryan Madson.

R. Madson would give his team the chance to stay in the game with a big strikeout on Matt Kemp after walking the bases loaded to get the 2nd out.

The Phillies would once again make a pitching change this time bringing in J.A. Happ to face Dodgers RF Andre Ethier with 2 out and the bases juiced.

The over managing of Phillies manager Charlie Manuel would hurt the team as J.A. Happ walked a run in after Andre Ethier took some half hearted cuts during the at bat.

Charlie Manuel would take another chance making another trip to the mound to bring in Chad Durbin to keep the Dodgers to a 2-1 lead.

LA would have Manny Ramirez arrive to bat with the bases loaded and 2 out. Manny was due on the day coming into the at bat 0 for 3.

Manny would show to be over patient popping up to third base on the first pitch to end the rally. Chad Durbin got a big out.

If your Manny Ramirez you have to be disappointed as he is 1 for 9 in these first two games of the Series.

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Dodgers would have a one run lead in the 9th with closer 25 year old Jonathan Broxton.

J. Broxton would nail down the save with a 123 9th inning getting Chase Utley to end the game with a fly out.

Notes From The game

The Los Angeles Dodgers- Manager Joe Torre still has to be nervous after a lucky win in game two.

If you look at their first two games their hitters have not gotten the clutch hits that they have needed.

They took advantage on an error, and a bases loaded walk but still a win is a win in the end.

Manny Ramirez has been inconsistent other than his HR off Cole Hamels there is not a whole lot to be impressed about with him.

However they have to be happy after a great pitching outing from Vincente Padilla, but will have a lot to work on for game three.

The Philadelphia Phillies- Have to be upset after a devastating loss following another excellent performance from Pedro Martinez.

Physical mistakes will happen so you have to get over the error from Chase Utley more times than not that man wins ball games.

All you can do if your Phillies Charlie Manuel is rely on your players more, and let them build their confidence in the later innings.

Your not going to get reliability out of your bullpen if none of them believe in themselves.

Game three should be another battle as both teams will enter in a 1-1 tie for the NLCS.