Phillies beat Dodgers on Rollins’ double in 9th

By ROB MAADDI, AP Sports Writer Oct 20, 1:25 am EDT

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PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Jimmy Rollins(notes) curled up to protect himself in the pile and took some playful punches from his teammates.

One more win and the Fightin’ Phils will have another World Series trip to celebrate.

Rollins lined a two-run double with two outs in the ninth inning off All-Star closer Jonathan Broxton(notes) and the Philadelphia Phillies rallied past the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-4 Monday night for a 3-1 lead in the NL championship series.

The defending champions can earn their second consecutive pennant with a victory at home in Game 5 on Wednesday night. Cole Hamels(notes), last year’s NLCS and World Series MVP, will take the mound for the Phillies. Clayton Kershaw(notes) or Vicente Padilla(notes) will start for Los Angeles.

“This is big,” Rollins said. “The pressure’s all on them.”

Trailing 4-3, the Phillies started their rally with one out in the ninth when pinch-hitter Matt Stairs(notes) walked on four pitches against Broxton. Stairs hit a two-run homer off Broxton in Game 4 of the NLCS last year at Dodger Stadium.

Broxton hit Carlos Ruiz(notes) with a pitch, but pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs(notes) looped a soft liner to third for the second out.

Rollins, just 3 for 18 in the series to that point, ripped a 99 mph fastball to right-center and the ball rolled to the wall. Andre Ethier’s(notes) throw toward the infield was high and off line, and Ruiz slid home without a play.

Rollins pointed in the air as he rounded second and got mobbed by teammates at third base. Even Jamie Moyer(notes), who just had surgery on his lower abdomen, limped out and joined the celebration.

“I’m all right. I had to curl up in the fetal position and throw some punches of my own,” Rollins said before taking a cream pie in the face from a teammate.

It was the second thrilling ending to a playoff game Monday. Hours earlier, Jeff Mathis(notes) hit an RBI double with two outs in the 11th inning to give the Los Angeles Angels a 5-4 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the AL championship series.

It was the sixth time two postseason games have ended in walk-off fashion on the same day, according to STATS LLC. The previous time was Oct. 5, 2007, when Boston beat the Angels and Cleveland topped the Yankees in AL division series.

Brad Lidge(notes) got two outs in the ninth to earn the win. Ryan Howard(notes) hit a two-run homer that gave him eight straight postseason games with at least one RBI, tying Lou Gehrig’s major league record set more than seven decades ago.

But J-Roll got the biggest hit for Philadelphia.

“He likes the moment,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. “He wants to be there, and he can control his adrenaline and he can handle the moment. The bigger the stage, the better he likes to play.”

Matt Kemp(notes) had a tiebreaking, solo homer for Los Angeles, and Manny Ramirez(notes) made a shoestring catch that prevented the tying run from scoring in the sixth.

Before Rollins came through, Dodgers relievers hadn’t allowed a hit in 3 1-3 innings.

“They’re a very tough lineup to go through,” manager Joe Torre said. “You try to be careful. He almost dug himself out.”

Dodgers starter Randy Wolf(notes) pitched 5 1-3 effective innings against his former team while his “Wolf Pack” fan club sat in seats he left for them—and rooted against him.

George Sherrill(notes) struck out Howard with two runners on in the eighth and Broxton retired Jayson Werth(notes) on a fly ball to end the inning. At that point, Torre had made all the right moves one day after hearing criticism for starting Hiroki Kuroda(notes) in Game 3. Torre let Sherrill face Howard, even though he was 0 for 10 against Broxton.

But Broxton couldn’t nail down the four-out save. Now, the Dodgers are one loss from elimination.

“He put some good wood on it and it went to the wall,” Broxton said. “It was a good game, just let it get away in the ninth.”

Trailing 4-2 in the sixth, the Phillies got within a run on Chase Utley’s(notes) RBI single. Shane Victorino(notes) tripled into the left-field corner as Ramirez nonchalantly chased after it. Victorino scored on Utley’s liner to right.

With two outs and runners at first and third, Raul Ibanez(notes) greeted reliever Hong-Chih Kuo(notes) with a liner to left on his first pitch. But Ramirez, known more for loafing than sensational grabs, saved the day—momentarily—for the Dodgers. Still, he was removed for defensive replacement Juan Pierre(notes) in the ninth.

It was another brisk night—48 degrees for the first pitch—at Citizens Bank Park. Bundled-up fans kept warm by waving their “Fightin’ Phils!” rally towels and screaming “Beat LA! Beat LA!”

They had plenty to cheer early when Howard ripped a 3-1 pitch to the seats in right, giving the Phillies a 2-0 lead in the first. Fans gave Howard a standing ovation and many chanted “M-V-P!” as he came out for the early curtain call.

The streaking slugger has driven in a run in each of the Phillies’ eight playoff games this year. Gehrig’s streak stretched over two World Series with the Yankees in 1928 and 1932.

“I’m just going to go up there and keep throwing my bat at the ball,” Howard said.

Making his first start since he lasted only 3 2-3 innings in Game 1 of the division series against St. Louis, Wolf gave up three runs and four hits. The Wolf Pack—a group of fans who used to sit in the upper deck and cheer for Wolf when he pitched in Philadelphia—was in the crowd. Wolf left them tickets, knowing they would root for their beloved Phillies.

Philadelphia starter Joe Blanton(notes) allowed four runs—three earned—and six hits in six innings in his first postseason start after two relief appearances against Colorado in the first round.

Coming off the most lopsided victory—11-0—in their postseason history, the Phillies jumped on the Dodgers in the first for the second straight night. But Wolf settled in and Los Angeles chipped away.

Kemp, who started a two-run rally in the fourth by drawing a walk, put the Dodgers ahead 3-2 when he connected off Blanton in the fifth.

Shaky defense by Philadelphia helped the Dodgers tack on a run in the sixth. Ramirez reached on third baseman Pedro Feliz’s(notes) throwing error, a ball that first baseman Howard could’ve scooped. With two outs, Casey Blake(notes) looped an RBI single down the right-field line to give the Dodgers a 4-2 lead. Blake was 1 for 13 in the series before the hit.

Blanton retired his first 10 batters before running into trouble in the fourth. James Loney(notes) and Russell Martin(notes) hit consecutive RBI singles to tie it at 2.

Notes: Howard tied Mike Schmidt’s club record with his sixth career postseason homer. Howard has 14 RBIs this postseason and has reached base safely in 17 straight playoff games. … Wolf was an All-Star with the Phillies in 2003 and started the first game at Citizens Bank Park in ’04. … Blake was 1 for 25 against Blanton before his RBI single.

Updated Oct 20, 1:25 am EDT
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1015 Comments

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  1. Barry
    1015. Posted by Barry Sat Oct 24 3:14am EDT

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    ********, once again, you've been suckin c*ck since the day you were born!! Do us all a favor and go jump off a bridge or shoot yourself!! You are nothing bu a piece of dried up dog @#$% blowin in the wind! Nobody cares about you, and nobody will care when you are GONE!!!
  2. * * * * * * * *
    1014. Posted by * * * * * * * * Fri Oct 23 6:54pm EDT

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    yep, these dodgers suck and they have sucked since 1988!
    A losing team for a loser fan base .........they deserse each other dont they?
  3. jeffstorm2
    1013. Posted by jeffstorm2 Wed Oct 21 9:52pm EDT

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    hmmm...phils up big tonite...listened to RICHARD S talk a-l-o-t of smack aaaaalllll season. i said if LAD won, i'd apologise...IF HE'D DO SAME... remarkably, richard s seems MIA...odd thing. said it before, sayin it again: If you fail to respect the competition (as he did all yr-but esp. Da Cards), u FAIL. this time of yr, esp. important. ppl like richard deserve the heartbrk- for other, respectful LAD fans, sorry, somebodys gotta go home. u had a good team this year, and will likely continue to compete for yrs. no, not a cards/phillys fan by nature (cubs), just an MLB fan. g'nite LA, da fat ladys warmin' up.
  4. <i>whitneymuse</i>
    1012. Posted by whitneymuse Wed Oct 21 4:36pm EDT

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    Teach Broxton some new pitches over the winter; Pitching to this class of hitter they have the bat speed to whack his 100 mph fastball and when they do it makes a bignoise and goes goes goes goes.
  5. tomahawk
    1011. Posted by tomahawk Wed Oct 21 9:57am EDT

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    1010 spitz

    The '93 team was good team. But Paul Molitor was unstoppable for the Jays. If I remember correctly, he batted over 500 in the WS, if not the entire playoffs.
  6. ___spitz_______fir3@work.com
    1010. Posted by ___spitz_______fir3@work.com Wed Oct 21 9:50am EDT

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    The 93 team will always be my favorite Phillies team of all time.They did not win the WS but they were a very overachieving team that mowed down the favored Braves in NLCS.That team could have won the WS as well if not for that heartbreaking extra innings game 4 loss to the Blue Jays.Even the game 6 loss was a heartbreaker.That team should never be forgotten.
  7. garagehero
    1009. Posted by garagehero Wed Oct 21 6:23am EDT

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    Boy , those skankee fans are sure talking a lot of trash. I hope thePhls clean their clock. hey Philly fans, heres a cheer for the skankees.

    A ROIDS
    A ROIDS
    A ROIDS
    A ROIDS
    A ROIDS
    A ROIDS
  8. Jazzinefx
    1008. Posted by Jazzinefx Wed Oct 21 4:14am EDT

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    @1035. Posted by big j Wed Oct 21 3:31am EDT

    Thanks for the support big j and we will do our damnednest to end this thing tonight. I think our guys are focused and ready to end it at home, we don't want to go back to L.A., and there really is no reason to go back.

    I hope your guys get back to full strength, and we can continue our great battles in the NL EAST.
    We don't like those Yankees either, and should we close this thing out, we will do our damnednest to beat them and bring respect back to the National League.

    The Yankees are the most arrogant fans in MLB, they need to be brought down, hopefully it is us who do it.
    We got this one game to get.
  9. big j
    1007. Posted by big j Wed Oct 21 3:31am EDT

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    Hey ...Mets fan here hoping the Phils can take out the Yanks! The Phils are one helluva team and I give credit where credit is due. They deserve to be in the WS and I hope they can beat the Yankees. This will be a great WS! Living in NYC w/ Yankee fans is pure hell. They have their 26 titles and they let you know about it constantly. They think no one can topple them this year but I disagree. I think your Phillies are just as good if not better and for All the great Mets fans who don't deserve the year we had, I can only hope the Phillies can stick it to our crosstwon rivals! Yes, the Mets and Phillies are rivals but the Phillies and you, their fans, waited many years to win again so no jealousy here. Yankee fans are arrogant @#$%s and I wish your team the best of luck and I hope they can win it again.
  10. <i>eddieazbell</i>
    1006. Posted by eddieazbell Wed Oct 21 1:53am EDT

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    The 80's philies had the will and desire talent, but nothing like the talent they have now If schmidt hit 34-40 homers it was a lot but look at Howard and all the other power uttley, victorino and on who can score in a second. Its still great to see them do so well if only my grandfather frpm pottsville pa. was here to see it.
  11. <i>musner3</i>
    1005. Posted by musner3 Wed Oct 21 1:26am EDT

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    just gets better every time the phillies/dodgers meet. Personally my opinion? mangers change the results of games same a blown calls by a moron umpire that cant see a 2 ft fair ball and call it foul. I liked the good ol managing days when the manger sets the lineup falls asleep in the corner of the dugout and is nudged awake by a bench player in the eighth. Hey skip leftys just walked the bases full.
    todays area they yank a starter for a pitch count or the other manger throws a pinch hitter. any reason to bring in the bullpen. Well for the dodgers so much for pitching making a difference to win a ballgame. Wheres the hitting when you need it? A classic sports reporter interview in a pregame world series game to a known hitter for the boston redsox. Well what now? Are you guys going to go and start hitting? hitter replys what the @#%"X@# kind of question is that? ref lobel/Buckner 1986 after mets shut them down in game 2?..and before the start of game 3?
  12. greenwings
    1004. Posted by greenwings Wed Oct 21 1:18am EDT

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    I continue to be amazed by the prognosticaters who felt (still feel?) that the Dodgers would (will) win the NLCS. I just don't know what they are looking at. Okay, if one is a dyed-in-the-blue Dodger fan, I can forgive considerable jaundice, but these so called detached analysts of the media who picked the Dodgers, I just don't know what they are looking at. The Phillies have one of the best lineups of our times. Even their pitchers hit. There are no holes. The Dodgers cannot match up to them. Ethier, Loney, Ramirez and Kemp, in whatever order, cannot match up with 1-8 of the Phils, let alone the heart of their lineup. The Phillies hit, they work walks, they move the runner, they sacrifice, they hit for power, they run the bases, all better than the Dodgers. The Dodgers' starting pitching is full of holes, while the Phils' starting pitching is solid. The Dodgers bullpen is supposedly their strength, but when Madsen, Lidge, etc., are on their game, as they appear to be now, the Phils' bullpen is the equal of any. The Phils are one of the best defensive teams in baseball. And, the intangibles are on the Phillies' side. They've been there and done it with a team not as good as this year's edition. Anyone who watched what they did to the Rox in Denver could see what this team is made of. Who really, with their most analytical minds, thought the Dodgers were (are) the better team?
  13. greenwings
    1003. Posted by greenwings Wed Oct 21 12:40am EDT

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    There are fun sites here about the '80 championship team. I remember this: The Pirates had a real good team that took the Phils to the last game of the season in '78, then the Pirates won it all over a very good Baltimore O's team in '79. The Pirates were good in '80, too, and led the NL East for most of the season. Things were looking like it was going to be a tough first year for Dallas Green as Phils manager, and another disappointing year from the Phillies teams of that era that had become famous by then as underachievers. Then, in late August, the Pirates had a run of major injuries to some key players and started losing. All of a sudden, in September, the Phillies got really hot. They played some of the most exciting games I have even watched or listened to late in the season, against the Cubs and the Expos, and won the pennant. I believe that team had only 90 regular season wins that year, but those September wins were big. Until then I never thought a Phillies team could get hot and stay hot at the right time like they did that year. I remember that the '83 team did the same thing: they went on a big winning string in September that carried them to the division title and WS. Those are great memories.
  14. Jazzinefx
    1002. Posted by Jazzinefx Wed Oct 21 12:22am EDT

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    @1029. Posted by greenwings Wed Oct 21 12:03am EDT

    Great post Greenwings, I agree with what you say. It's not that we haven't been trying, its just tough putting things together, and keeping it advanced, and up to date. Hopefully, we'll have many great years of Philadelphia baseball. I think that the front office is committed to keeping the club fluid and up to date, filling holes and keeping the club competitive. It has been a joy watching the 2008 club and this 2009 club.
  15. Jazzinefx
    1001. Posted by Jazzinefx Wed Oct 21 12:12am EDT

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    @1029. Posted by greenwings Wed Oct 21 12:03am EDT

    Right wings, they were division champs. Thanks for the correction.
  16. greenwings
    1000. Posted by greenwings Wed Oct 21 12:03am EDT

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    Interesting post from Jazzinefx @1033. Remember, though, that the Phils were not NL champs in '76, '77 or '78. They were NL East Division champs, but lost the NLCS each of those years - to the Reds in '76 and the Dodgers in '77 and '78. Those were great teams, too. In '76 the Phils played .700 ball all year until they lost three of four to the Reds in late August. Then they went into a major losing streak, and still ended the season with 101 wins. The '77 team was even better, and also won 101 games. But, as good as those teams were, they did not have the character of the 2008 and 2009 teams. They never had that swagger, that quiet confidence that they can and will win like this group does. The Phillies now have a respectable record of winning, too. They have been to the WS in '15, '50, '80, '83, '93 and 2008, and, barring a major comeback from the Dodgers, will go again this year. That is in addition to division titles in '76, '77, '78 and '07. This year's team is much better than last year's team. They are stronger defensively, especially in LF and 1B, where Howard has worked really hard. They hit better, especially with the upgrade of Ibanez over Burrell and the great year Werth has had. Their starting pitching is much better, and the BP has been great in the playoffs when it has mattered, thus far. There have been some defensive issues in the playoffs, but this team has great gloves, too, especially up the middle. Then there is the character thing. This team just believes it will win. They have that winning attitude, like it's expected of them, and they expect it of themselves. There has never been a Phillies team like this in history. Today this is a proud franchise from top to bottom, and deservedly so. Philadelphia hasn't seen a team like this since the '29 As, which is regarded as one of the best baseball teams of all time.
  17. Jazzinefx
    999. Posted by Jazzinefx Tue Oct 20 11:43pm EDT

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    I just watched the Yankees whip the Angels 11-1. So they will be over here trying to start shyt. Our Phillies cannot afford to go back to L.A., we're going to have to get on L.A. early and often. Hamels will have to give us some good work and keep us in the game.

    This is the biggest game of our season. I would like us to end this thing so that we can get a good game plan for the winner of the ALCS, and get a couple days R+R!!

    Here's to us ending it tomorrow. Go PHILLIES!! PHIGHTIN'S ON THE MOVE!!!
  18. Jazzinefx
    998. Posted by Jazzinefx Tue Oct 20 11:28pm EDT

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    @1030. Posted by David F Tue Oct 20 10:17pm EDT

    Good post Dave. The thing about that 1993 club was that the starters weren't as strong in my opinion, and the bullpen was overworked. Yeah, they were offensive threats, Dykstra, but unlike in 2009, in 1993 there was no major pitcher aquisition like Lee. Lee absolutely came in and bolstered our starting rotation.

    In 1980, every 4th start, we knew we had a 'W", Carlton was the absolute ACE!! The 1980 club was special because they were the first ones to win the World Series. The Phillies were National League Champions in 1915, 1950, 1976; 1977, 1978, and finally winning it all 1980. 1981 was the strike season, we led the first half of the season, then the league closed down. So the 1980 club was never able to defend their Championship from 1980. The rest as you say is true, that 1980 club was broken up, and we went from the youngest club, to the oldest club.
    1993 was special because we finally learned how to beat the Atlanta Braves, beating them in the 1993 NLCS, which was awesom because Atlanta had been a MAJOR THORN in our foot, the Braves had won 104 games that season!! Also in 1993, there was no Central Division, and the Montreal Expos, and the StL Cardinals were our Major Competition.
    Atlanta hadn't moved to the NL EAST yet either. They were the NL WEST Champions. Schilling was the ACE, replacing the beloved Carlton. He wasn't the Absolute Ace like Carlton, but Schilling was a battler and gave it his all, the #2 man, I think was if my memory is correct was Tyler Green, I'm not 100% sure on that but Greene was in the starting rotation. 1993 club were bashers with Kruk, and the one you mentioned Eisenreich, Dykstra, the current hitting coach Milt Thompson, and the current G.M., Ruben Amaro was on that club.

    That 1993 club could string runs and innings together but not like this 2009 club, this 2009 club is the most DESTRUCTIVE club Philadelphia has ever fielded!! This lineup has very few weak spots, even the pitchers hit, so the 7, 8, and 9 holes can hurt you!! We see what Ruiz is doing!!

    If this 2009 club can stay together, (and I don't see why not, since its taken us so long to get them), I see no reason for Philadelphia to be in the thick of the NL EAST and in the National League. I look for Ruiz to become an All-Star catcher very soon, if not next season. Feliz, it not to far away from being an All-Star 3rd baseman.

    That's why I say that this 2009 club is the GREATEST of all of our great clubs. Plus, they are on the threshold of defending their 2008 NL Championship. If we can do that, this club's legitimacy is set in STONE!!
  19. David F
    997. Posted by David F Tue Oct 20 10:52pm EDT

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    BTW if you are going to go back in time try this one on for size.

    My old man takes me to Box Seats on the third base line in 80. I was 13. Carlton struck out thirteen. The middle infield for the Padres was Ozzie Smith and Dave Cash. Man did they have afros. Schmidt and Luzinski homered and Tugger got the save.

    Can anyone beat that?

    I was also there by complete accident in 1976 when Bowa hit his only grandslam. We completely annihilated the Big Red Machine that day, putting 14 runs up.

    So if you want to talk Phils history don't forget the 76/77/78 division winners. Damn they were a fun team for an 8-11 year old to learn about ball from...
  20. emilsnake
    996. Posted by emilsnake Tue Oct 20 10:29pm EDT

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    You hit the nail on the head, Twofold.
  21. David F
    995. Posted by David F Tue Oct 20 10:17pm EDT

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    Clarification Jazz,
    The 80 Phils won our first and only WS (until last year). The Whiz Kids lost to the Yanks with Ashburn in I think 50. The 83 and 93 Phils won NL pennants. The 83 Phils played the O's and were called the Wheeze Kids because they were veteran guys recycled from the Big Red Machine of the 70s. We also had Sarge in 83. It wasn't the same team as 80. Maddox was still there and so was Schmidt, but it was a totally different complexion. Someone who loves this stuff can clarify but I think Boone (Angels) and Bowa (Cubs) were gone. I don't think Rose was around then anymore either. He may have gone to Montreal and Luzinski to the Chisox. But now you're asking me where all the baseball cards fell and I was a junior in HS and not paying as much attention by that point anymore... Of course the 93 group lost to the Blue Jays in the heartbreaker, but I would argue that that club was grittier and nuts. By far the funnest group I have ever paid attention to. The current Phils are phenomenal but they're not a prison squad like the 93 bullies. I remember every clutch grand slam from 93 but this group you freaking take them for granted! These guys are the pros for real. The thing that struck me in 93 was everyone's OBA. Eisenreich was an incredible on base threat. Those 93 guys may not have had all the same numbers as our current group but they ruled the offensive stats in the paper every day.
  22. Twofold
    994. Posted by Twofold Tue Oct 20 10:05pm EDT

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    I liked Passan's column on Joe Torre; it was funny to see him be so pissed off because he picked the Dodgers in 6 and take his anger out on Torre. What a loser, and he's supposed to be some sort of expert? The Dodgers are going to lose because the Phillies are a better team, not because Torre didn't put in this guy in some situation, you can say the same about Manuel. The difference is that the Phillies want it more and play better as a team, and they just keep finding ways to win. Go Phillies!
  23. ERIC N
    993. Posted by ERIC N Tue Oct 20 9:43pm EDT

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    Hey L.A... How's that Freeway Series working for you now? lol

    Every metropoitan area that has had two teams in the same market have had at least one metro series...New York, Chicago, San Francisco, even St. Louis had one.

    As sports towns go, you are lacking, L.A.

    Maybe next year...GO GIANTS
  24. Kim V
    992. Posted by Kim V Tue Oct 20 9:35pm EDT

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    They need to dump Manny how can you be in the shower with the game on the line, You dont see that with the Phillies or any other team. Way to go Jay ro everyone picks up everyone on this team. Just remember that Cole. Go Phils
  25. jeffstorm2
    991. Posted by jeffstorm2 Tue Oct 20 9:33pm EDT

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    no offense to the respectful Dodgers fans, i've found few, but waaaay too many were busy gloatin & disrespectin da birds (richard s- remember i said i'd apologise if phils lost?-looks like ur turn...)-unprofessional. u should always respect the opposition, esp this time of year! i am glad manny will be watchin from da outside... i think yanks over phils in 6, but what do i know? i'm a cubs fan...
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