The Los Angeles Dodgers scored five runs in the first inning to set up a 7-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies yesterday, trimming the Phillies' best-of-seven National League Championship Series lead to 2-1.
The Dodgers opened the first with three straight hits and scored two runs before Blake DeWitt hit a bases-clearing triple off Phillies starter Jamie Moyer who lasted just 1 1/3 innings and gave up six runs on six hits.
"We had a great first inning, and when you do that it allows your pitcher to attack hitters," second baseman DeWitt told reporters.
Los Angeles rookie Hiroki Kuroda did just that, retiring 13 straight batters from the second inning through the sixth. Kuroda was charged with two runs over six innings for the win.
"He couldn't have pitched a better game," DeWitt said.
Leadoff hitter Rafael Furcal, who spent most of the season out with injury and only returned to the lineup in the final week of the regular season, sparked the Dodgers by going 2-for-4 with two runs and a solo home run to left-centre field in the second. Ryan Howard finished 2-for-4, and Pat Burrell added an RBI single in the seventh for Philadelphia, who were also facing a record Dodger Stadium crowd of 56,800, waving white towels in unison.
"(We have momentum) for the moment," said Dodgers manager Joe Torre. "When you win you have a good feeling about yourself, and hopefully we've planted a seed of doubt (in the Phillies)."
Underlying tension in the series emerged when both benches cleared in the middle of the third after Kuroda and Shane Victorino exchanged words.
The Phillies centre fielder took exception to a ball thrown near his head by the right-hander, and tempers flared as Manny Ramirez had to be restrained by several team mates.
"Someone was bound to get hit," Victorino said. "But don't throw at my head."
The Dodgers had been upset about Philadelphia's pitchers throwing inside, particularly in Game Two of the series, and matters were only made worse when catcher Russell Martin was hit by two pitches, and brushed back in another at bat.
"The one thing you don't want to do is feel like you're getting pushed around," said Los Angeles pitcher Derek Lowe.
"You have to stand up for yourself."
Los Angeles will try to even the series in Game Four on Monday. Neither team has won away from home in their 11 meetings this season.
(Agencies via Shanghai Daily October 13, 2008)