KOD 20 - LDS: Phightins need all 5 games to eliminate Jints

Game 1 - AT&T Park
C.Lee vs Cain
Phillies 5, Giants 4
On most days a 4 run home half of the 1st inning would be more than enough runs for Matt Cain.  It looked like a sure bet until the top of the 8th when Cain tired and the Phils posted a 4 spot of their own.  Couple that inning with Ryan Howard's solo blast in the top of the 4th and you have the one run margin for victory that the Phils needed.  Howard and pinch hitter Ross Gload each had 2 RBI's on the day.  Aubrey Huff's bases clearing 3 run triple was San Fran's loan offensive highlight.
Phillies lead series 1-0

Game 2
Hamels vs Lincecum
Phillies 5, Giants 3

A 3-3 tie after 8 evaporated when J-Roll doubled home Victorino, then scored on Placido Polanco's single.  Contreras and Madson pitched scoreless innings to send the Phightin's home needing one more victory for to close out the series.
Phillies lead series 2-0

Game 3 - Citizen's Bank Ballpark
J.Sanchez vs Worley
Giants 7, Phillies 3 (12 inn)

 
 

Who would think Buster Posey's RBI single in the top of the 5th, which tied the game at 3, would be responsible for sending the game into extra innings.  For the next six innings neither team would plate a run.  Pressure began to mount as the Jints needed a win here to extend the series.  The Phightin's needed a run to avoid losing momentum.  Travis Ishikawa led off the top of the 12th off of reliever Kyle Kendrick with a stand up double.  The Kung Fu Panda struck out swinging, but Uribe's single put runners on the corners with 1 out.  With one swing of the bat Nate Schierholtz hit a 3 run blast to put the Jints up 6-3.  They would tack on 1 more run then sit back as Casilla pitched a perfect bottom of the 12th to give the Jints their first win in the series.  Romo got the win and Kendrick took the loss.
Phillies lead series 2-1

Game 4
Bumgarner vs Halladay
Giants 6, Phillies 4

Big Game Madison Bumgarner was a tad better than Doc Halladay today.  Still it took a 3 run 8th by the visitors from the Bay to really put the game out of reach.  Posey and Schierholtz both had 3 hit days with Travis Ishikawa hitting the Jints only long ball.  Bumgarner and 4 relievers limited the Phils to 3 hits, while stealing all of the momentum as the series headed back to San Fran for a decisive game 5.
Series tied 2-2

Game 5
C.Lee vs Cain
Phillies 5, Giants 2

Through the first 4 games of the series the visiting team reigned supreme.  The Giants would have to break that trend in order to complete their comeback from an 0-2 deficit.  Catcher Benji Molina's RBI double with one out in the 3rd staked Cain to a 2-0 lead.  Hunter Pence's 2 run homer evened the score at 2-2.  From that point on it was all Philly.  A RBI double by Chooch in the 6th broke the 2-2 tie.  Hunter Pence's second homer of the day, in the 8th, gave the Phightin's a 2 run lead and when Chooch scored in the top of the 9th on a DP ball Philly had a 3 run lead heading into the 9th.  In an interesting managerial move Phils skipper Andy Weinrib brought in starter Cole Hamels with 1 out in the 7th.  King Cole did not disapoint his skipper earning a rare save by giving up just 1 hit in the final 2 2/3 innings.  Sometimes it takes an unconventional move to win a pennant or LDS series.
Phillies win 3-2