Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook

Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

Sox, Dodgers, Phillies Win Openers

Phillies, too

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 2, 2008 5:24 AM CDT

(Newser) – Jason Bay and Manny Ramirez both proved why they’d been acquired last night. Bay hit a two-run shot to give the Red Sox a lead they never relinquished, sending Anaheim to a 4-1 defeat, while the man he was traded for hit a solo shot in the Dodgers' 7-2 win over the Cubs. But the Dodgers’ real hero was James Loney, who hit a grand slam in the fifth to erase a 2-run Cubs lead.

Jon Lester was masterful filling in for Josh Beckett; the Angels’ only run came after an error from rookie shortstop Jed Lowrie. Elsewhere, the Phillies got an even more eye-popping outing from Cole Hamels, who allowed just two hits over eight innings while striking out nine in a 3-1 win over the Brewers. The Phillies scored all three runs in a blooper-filled third, that saw Mike Cameron miss an easy fly ball.

[Images (6)]

[Quotes (1)]

Chicago Cubs center fielder Jim Edmonds can't come up with a ball hit by Los Angeles Dodgers' Blake DeWitt during eighth-inning baseball action in Game 1 of the NLDS, Oct. 1, 2008, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Red Sox relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon reacts after the final out of Game 1 of the ALDS against the Angels, Oct. 1, 2008. The Red Sox won 4-1. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson )

Jason Bay hits a two-run home run during the sixth inning of Game 1 of the ALDS against the Angels, Oct. 1, 2008. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson )

Boston Red Sox Jed Lowrie slides into home plate past Los Angeles Angels catcher Mike Napoli on a Jacoby Ellsbury RBI in the ninth during Game 1. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson )

Boston Red Sox's Jason Bay is congratulated by teammates after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of Game 1. (AP Photo/Mark Terrill)

A Chicago Cubs fan reacts during ninth-inning of Game 1 of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008, in Chicago. The Dodgers won 7-2. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

The atmosphere was real quiet as I was going around the bases, so I think our fans were cheering back home. - James Loney

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Phillies Grab 3-1 Lead on 9th-Inning Rally

Rollins' two-run double brings home tying, winning runs against LA closer Broxton

(NEWSER) - Jimmy Rollins doubled with two out in the ninth inning to drive home the tying and winning runs as the Philadelphia Phillies stunned the Los Angeles Dodgers, 5-4, to take a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven National League Championship Series. The visiting Dodgers had clawed out of an early 2-0 hole, but closer Jonathan Broxton couldn’t make their 4-3 lead hold. More»

Lee Leads Phillies to 11-0 Game 3 Win

Defending World Series champs now up 2-1 over Dodgers

(AP) - Cliff Lee dominated the Dodgers and Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth provided the big swings early as the Philadelphia Phillies cruised past Los Angeles 11-0 last night for a 2-1 lead in the NL championship series. Lee provided another brilliant playoff start, striking out 10 and allowing only three hits in eight innings. "Cliff Lee, what can I say about him? He was absolutely outstanding," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. More»

Phillies Outslug LA in Game 1

Three-run shot from Ibañez in eighth stands up as winner in 8-6 win in NLCS opener

(NEWSER) - A three-run home run from Raul Ibañez in the eighth inning tonight gave the visiting Philadelphia Phillies the margin they needed to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 8-6, and take the first game in the best-of-seven National League Championship Series. The defending-champion Phillies twice saw the Dodgers eat into four-run leads, making the late innings tense. More»

Yankees, Angels Wrap Up Series Sweeps

With Dodgers in NLCS, only Philly-Colorado remains up in the air

(NEWSER) - The Yankees wrapped up a sweep of the Twins tonight in Minneapolis, getting homers from Jorge Posada and suddenly clutch Alex Rodriguez in a 6-1 win. They advance to face the Angels, who mounted an unlikely ninth-inning comeback this afternoon, scoring off Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon three times and hanging on for a 7-6 victory and their own sweep in Boston. More»

Winning Teams Juice Ballpark Beer Prices

On average; there are some steals, and some outrages

(NEWSER) - Fans of winning baseball franchises pay for their bragging rights with more expensive beer, the Wall Street Journal reports. On average, a team that wins 6 out of 10 games charges $1.30 more for a 16-ounce beer than a club with a .400 winning percentage. There are, of course, exceptions, allowing for some great deals and some unconscionable gouging. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Sox, Dodgers, Phillies Win Openers