Phillies Outmuscle Dodgers to Take Game 1, 3-2

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»

(AP) - Jimmy Rollins got the Phillies rollin' with a leadoff homer, and they kept right on going. Next stop, the World Series. Rollins homered in the first inning, Cole Hamels pitched his third gem of the playoffs, and Philadelphia beat the bumbling Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 tonight to win the NL championship series 4-1 for its first pennant since 1993. More»

It's only the second in playoff history

(AP) - Talk about a postseason debut. Roy Halladay threw the second no-hitter in postseason history, leading the Philadelphia Phillies over the Cincinnati Reds 4-0 in Game 1 of the NL division series today. Don Larsen is the only other pitcher to throw a postseason no-hitter. He threw a perfect game for the New York Yankees in the 1956 World Series against Brooklyn. The 54th anniversary of Larsen's gem is this Friday. More»

Homers key 10-4 victory as Philadelphia wins NLCS in 5

(NEWSER) - Jayson Werth hit two of Philadelphia’s four home runs as the host Phillies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-4 tonight to advance to their second consecutive World Series. The defending champions won the series 4-1, and now await the American League participant—with odds favoring the New York Yankees, who take a 3-1 edge into Thursday’s Game 5 against the Los Angeles Angels. More»

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»