The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 1-0 Friday night, winning the NLDS and clinching a spot in the National League Championship Series. Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter was able to make a single run hold up against the Phillies offense, who only mustered three hits against the right-hander.
Entering Friday’s game, the pitching matchup of Roy Halladay vs. Carpenter looked amazing on paper. Because of circumstances leading up to the first round of the playoffs, the pair wasn’t able to face off in game one. It was truly Philadelphia’s best against St. Louis’s best, you couldn’t ask for more from a game five.
At least that’s what people thought.
These two came out and put on a pitching clinic Friday night, holding the opposition to a combined nine hits and one run over their 17 innings of work. It was a shame either had to lose, but last night Carpenter was just a tick better than Halladay.
Just like in game one, the Cardinals were able to get out to an early lead against Halladay. Skip Schumaker’s double to right scored Rafael Furcal, giving St. Louis a 1-0 advantage.
Also resembling the series opener, Halladay went on to pitch seven scoreless frames, keeping the Phillies within a run until he handed the ball off to the pen in the 9th.
But Phillies bats couldn’t muster anything resembling an attack against Carpenter. Philadelphia base runners made it past first base twice, and only touched third once throughout game five.
Carpenter cruised through the late innings before retiring the Phillies in order in the 9th to close out the series.
Philadelphia’s exit surprised many, as the offense wasn’t able to carry its vaunted pitching staff out of the first round.
With their victory, the Cardinals advance to face the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS.
For more on the Cardinals and Phillies, be sure to check out Redbird Rants and That Balls Outta Here.