PHILLIES NEWS

With the Phillies season on the line Roy Halladay delivered a performance that may be remembered for a long time, especially if the Phils somehow reach their 3rd straight world series this year. Despite pulling his groin while pitching to the first batter of the game Halladay gutted out 6 innings, allowing just 2 runs on 6 hits while striking out 5. It wasn't pretty but it was exactly what the Phils needed to stave off elimination. Halladay did have some help though as Phils blead out 3 runs on 4 hits off Tim Lincecum. The Phils also deservedly backed up Roy with 3 huge scoreless innings.

After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning, as Chase Utley fumbled away a double play opportunity, the Phils got some luck in the 3rd. Raul Ibanez lead off with a single. Carlos was then hit by a pitch to put two and nobody out for Halladay. Attempted to bunt the runners over into scoring position but bunted foul, or at least he thought it was foul, but the home plate ump called it fair, and Ruiz went to second and the hustling Ibanez reached 3rd, despite Buster Posey's throw beating him as Pablo Sandoval missed bag with his foot. The dumbfounded Halladay never left the batter's box and was thrown out at first. Still the damage had been done. Shane Victorino followed with a ball off Aubrey Huff's glove and into right to score both runners. Then back to back singles by Utley and Placido Polanco scored Victorino for a 3-1 lead.

The 3 runs would be all the wounded Halladay would need. He got into and out of trouble in 3rd, allowed a run in the 4th but avoided further damage, as Jayson Werth gunned Cody Ross at 3rd as he attempted to tag up. He cruised through the 5th inning and then finally got of jam in the 6th inning, striking out Juan Uribe, with 2 on and 2 out to preserve the Phils 3-2 lead. The Phils had a golden opportunity to cushion their lead in the 7th, but Huff robbed Ross Gload of extra base hit, to keep it at 3-2. Next in the 7th Jose Contreras and J.C Romero combined for a scoreless frame after Polanco and Utley snared back to back line drives, by Freddy Sanchez and Aubrey Huff.

After the Phils again failed to cushion their lead in the top of the 8th, Ryan Madson, who pitched an inning and a 3rd last night, stared down the heart of the Giants lineup, Buster Posey, Pat Burrell ,and Ross and struck them out one by one to preserve the lead. Finally in the 9th Werth offered some insurance with a leadoff solo bomb to push the lead to 4-2. As it turned out, Brad Lidge did not need extra run. He comfortably retired Sandoval, Uribe, and pinch hitter Travis Ishikawa in order to close out the huge 4-2 win that shifts the series back to Philadelphia. Getting the series back to Philly doesn't mean the Phils will win it but with Roy Oswalt to pitch game 6 and Cole Hamels if neccessary in game 7 they at least have a chance now.