Derek Lowe was his usual, unstoppable self in the postseason for 5 1/3 innings last night. He wasn't striking out many batters, but he recorded 11 groundball outs.
The Phillies had no answer for Lowe, who came into the game 7-1 with a 1.50 ERA in this past 11 starts. That is until Chase Utley got ahold of his sinker, to launch it into the seats. It was a new ballgame, suddenly a 2-0 stinker turned into a 2-2 tie.
And, two batters later Pat Burrell hit a solo shot, to make it 3-2 and that's all she wrote. Lowe then exited the game. That's the difference between being a hero and a goat. Lowe was perfect except for two mistakes.
Pitching is the equivalent of a great defense in the playoffs and Cole Hamels was a tad bit better than Lowe last night. Hamels went 7 strong, striking out 8, walking just 2, allowing 6 hits, and 2 runs. He is now 2-0 with a 2.57 ERA this postseason.
Manny Ramirez did have two hits, but only really inflicted his damage in the first inning when he nearly took Cole Hamels deep. Fortunately, only one run scored.
If I were Charlie Manuel I'd impose the equivalent of the "Shaq foul rule" by walking Manny Ramirez every time he's up to bat, thereby rendering him a non-factor.
Brett Myers will take the hill against Chad Billingsley this afternoon at 4:35. Billingsley shut down the Cubs in his first postseason start, going 6 2/3 with 7 K's and allowing one earned run. He was 16-10 during the regular season with a 3.14 ERA and 201 K's. Suffice it to say Billngsley is the Dodgers' young ace in the making.
All Myers has to do is make it out of the first inning without much damage and this should be a very winnable game for the Phils.
As I said yesterday in that the game would be 3-2 or 2-1. I'm predicting a 2-1 Phils victory today.
Game starts at 4:35 on FOX.
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