The Philadelphia Phillies held on to win game three of their NLDS series against the Cardinals Tuesday night, 3-2. The Phillies captured the all-important third game behind strong efforts from starting pitcher Cole Hamels and pinch-hitter Ben Francisco.
Though he began the year as an everyday player for the Phillies, Francisco quickly saw his opportunities diminish as the spring turned to summer. After collecting 94 at bats in April, Francisco played sparingly as he fell behind Domonic Brown, John Mayberry Jr. and eventually deadline acquisition Hunter Pence on the Phillies depth chart.
Francisco finished the year receiving less than 40 at bats over the last two months of the season. Philadelphia carried him into the playoffs as an extra outfielder, hoping the veteran could provide some offense off of the bench.
After flying out in his first playoff pinch-hit appearance Sunday night, Francisco came up big for the Phillies last night with game three’s decisive blow. Francisco’s three run shot in the 7th broke the scoreless tie and put Philadelphia up for good.
Up until Francisco’s heroics, game three remained scoreless thanks to the solid pitching performances of Hamels and his counterpart, Cardinals lefty Jaime Garcia. Each pitcher held the offenses in check through six.
Hamels got into and out of several jams, escalating his pitch count. The lefty had reached 117 throws through the 6th, and was forced to pass the baton to Philadelphia’s pen.
Following Francisco’s shot, the Phillies relievers did their best to keep the Cardinals in the game. Vance Worley gave up three hits and a walk over his inning of work, allowing a run, and Brad Lidge was unable to retire a batter in the 8th. After giving up a pair of singles, Lidge was lifted for closer Ryan Madson, who was asked to get the final five outs of the game.
Madson went on to give up two hits of his own, but managed to shut the door, giving the Phillies a 3-2 game three victory and sending the Cardinals to the brink of elimination.
Albert Pujols did his best Albert Pujols impersonation, going 4-5 with three doubles. Jimmy Rollins kept up his torrid playoff pace, going 2-4 on the night. Rollins now has multi-hit efforts in each of the three NLDS games, maintaining a playoff OPS of 1.449.
The Phillies will hand the ball to Roy Oswalt this evening as they look to wrap up the series, while Edwin Jackson will do his best to extend the Cardinals season and send the NLDS back to Philadelphia.
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