Phillies roll into World Series

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Oct 16, 2008 | by John Nadel Associated Press

Wednesday's game marked the 20th anniversary of Kirk Gibson's memorable game-winning home run off Oakland's Dennis Eckersley in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series. But there would be no such Dodger magic this time.

The crowd came alive in the bottom of the fifth after a leadoff single by Blake when Hall of Famer Tom Lasorda, who managed the Dodgers from 1977-96, stood near the team's dugout waving a white towel, with the image shown on video board. Matt Kemp followed with a single, but rookie Blake DeWitt grounded into his second double play of the game and Kent struck out as a pinch hitter.

Ramirez hit a 1-2 pitch over the right-field wall with two outs in the sixth, but Russell Martin took a called third strike to end the inning.

James Loney and Kemp singled in the Los Angeles second before DeWitt grounded into his first double play to end the inning. Hamels walked Kemp and pinch-hitter Garciaparra with two outs in the seventh before throwing a called third strike past Kent -- the last of his 104 pitches.

Notes: The 81-year-old Lasorda, now a member of the Dodgers' front office, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the game. His granddaughter, Emily, threw one as well. ... Wednesday marked the 20th anniversary of Kirk Gibson's game-winning homer off Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley in the ninth inning of the 1988 World Series opener, one of baseball's most memorable moments. Because of injuries, it was the only at-bat of the series for the 1988 NL MVP. ... Shane Victorino failed to drive in a run, but leads all major leaguers and has set a Phillies record with 11 postseason RBIs. ... Ramirez extended his streak of getting at least one RBI in league championship series games to nine with his sixth-inning homer. ... The Phillies have played in seven league championship series -- four against the Dodgers. Los Angeles won in 1977-78, and Philadelphia prevailed in 1983. ... Following their World Series triumph in 1988, the Dodgers were 1-12 in four postseason appearances before going 4- 4 this year. ... Including the playoffs, the Phillies are 86-0 when leading after eight innings.