The Philadelphia Phillies appeared set to go to St. Louis with a 2-0 series lead after scoring 4 runs in the first two innings but a gutty Cardinals team battled back to capture the vital 2nd game of the National League Division Series 5-4 October 2nd at Citizens Bank Park in Pennsylvania. What makes this comeback even more impressive was the fact that The Phillies ace Lefty Cliff Lee was on the mound. The southpaw allowed a career high 12 hits and all 5 runs in six plus innings. “I take full responsibility,” Lee said. ” I had a 4-0 lead and let it slip away.”
Philadelphia managed 5 hits and 4 runs in 3 innings vs. Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter, who was pitching on 3 days rest for the first time in his career. However, 7 St. Louis relievers combined to allow 1 base runner the rest of the game! Tough loss for the Phillies who now must win at least 1 game in St. Louis to avoid elimination and force a deciding 5th game back at Citizens Bank Park. SS Jimmy Rollins had 3 of the 6 Philadelphia hits while 1B Ryan Howard continues to drive in runs with another 2 rbi. RF Hunter Pence, playing in his 1st postseason, was 1 for 3 with a run, rbi and walk. Four Cardinals had 2 hits apiece, led by CF Jon Jay, who drove in two runs. SS Rafael Furcal(rbi), 1B Albert Pujols(rbi) and 2B Ryan Theriot(Rbi,2 runs) also collected 2 hits. Huge, huge win for St. Louis who faced the top two starters(Lee and game 1 winner Roy Halladay) on the Phillies with their starting rotation in shambles due to late season charge to catch the Atlanta Braves for the NL Wild Card on the last day of the season.
NEXT GAME: Tuesday, October 4th 5:07 pm at Busch Stadium
Phillies LHP Cole Hamels(14-9,2.79) vs. Cardinals Cardinals LHP Jaime Garcia(13-7,3.56)
