Carlos Ruiz blasts a three-run home run against the Dodgers in Game 1 of the 2009 National League Championship Series. The Phillies won the contest, 8-6.
First of all, Randy Marsh' strike zone is smaller than a baby smurf.
Second of all, Dodgers fans are much more attractive than any other fan base. It's too bad most of them don't know who Ronnie Belliard or Ron Cey is.
Lastly, we've got tons of good stats, anecdotes and nuggets on the inside.
All that aside, the Phillies showed a ton of muscle throughout the lineup in an 8-6 Game 1 victory.
Ryan Madson was terrifying and Brad Lidge was a bit wobbly. But the closer shut the door.
Now, here are some thoughts:
During the pre-game, one of the TBS broadcasters, I'm not sure whether it was Buck Martinez, Skip Caray or Ron Darling, said Clayton Kershaw had Sandy Koufax-like stuff. My initial reaction was, "Man, that's not good for the Dodgers. I mean, comparing a pitcher who was 8-8 to a Koufax is cruel. To both parties. He's now destined to get smacked around "
For the next 59 minutes I thought, "Boy, were those guys right."
Then Carlos Ruiz stepped to the plate.
Thanks to buddy and fantastic Centre Daily Times' Penn State beat writer Jeff Rice for this note: In the Dodgers' sixth inning, former Phillie Jim Thome worked a walk and was pinch run for with former Phillie Randy Wolf, who was coached at first by former Phillie Mariano Duncan.
The Dodgers are 7-4 in post-season series in which they've won Game 1 and 7-15 in series in which they've lost the opener.
The Phillies are 8-3 in post-season series after taking the first game and 0-6 in series in which they've dropped Game 1.
With Ryan Howard's double, he has 18 runs batted in in 21 post-season games. That obliterates Mike Schmidt's franchise record. Oh, but Schmidt didn't get to play in the Division Series, you say. Doesn't matter, he still played in twice as many games. Schmidt's 16 runs batted in came in the course of 36 post-season games.
After Howard's double, the camera showed the Phillies' dugout, where Jimmy Rollins and Greg Dobbs were talking hitting. It looked as if Dobbs was telling Rollins to keep his upper body back on his swings. Dobbs was holding J-Rolls shoulder. and demonstrating the trunk twist. In his first at-bat, Rollins had popped up when he lunged and opened up on an 0-1 pitch.
In Rollins at-bat immediately after the consultation, he staid back on a pitch and drove it up the middle.
Dodgers' second baseman Ronnie Belliard doesn't get many props for his defense. However, he holds the bag very well. There was a prime example in this game: In the seventh inning, Casey Blake's throw was off-line and Belliard still held the bag as Rollins slid in.
I would rather have all of my nails pulled out very slowly than listen to Skip Caray for a full season.
Speaking of the broadcasters, has anyone else noticed Buck Martinez appears to be ignoring Skip Caray and Ron Darling. There have been several instances where he's repeated what the others have said. To Martinez' credit, it sounds better coming from him.
Game 2 is at 4:07 p.m. Today.
See you there.
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