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Martinez, Padilla Dominate as Dodgers Top Phillies 2-1 to Even Series

Saturday, October 17th, 2009 | Andre Ethier, Charlie Manuel, Chase Utley, Jonathan Braxton, Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB, Pedro Martinez, Philadelphia Phillies, Ryan Madson, Sports, Vincente Padilla | No Comments

I was shocked – in a good way – with the starting pitching that I saw from Pedro Martinez and Vincente Padilla in Game 2 of the NLCS on Friday afternoon.

The Phillies Martinez – who had not pitched in a post-season game in 5 years – threw 7 scoreless innings giving up just 2 hits and no walks while striking out 3.  Martinez was in line for the win when he left the game with a 1-0 lead courtesy of a Ryan Howard home run in the 4th inning.

The Dodgers Vincente Padilla was almost as good despite having a 4.46 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP during the 2009 MLB schedule.  Padilla threw 7 1/3 innings, giving up just 1 ER on 4 hits and 1 walk with 6 K’s.  Padilla defeated the Cards in Game 3 of the NLDS and he has given up just 1 ER and 8 hits in 14 1/3 post-season innings this October.

Pretty crazy stuff for some veteran pitchers.

The game turned against the Phillies in the bottom of the 8th inning.  After an infield single and a bunt single, the Dodgers tied the game at 1 on Chase Utley’s fielding error that allowed Juan Pierre to score from 2nd base.  After a Jim Thome pinch-hit single, Ryan Madsen entered the game and walked Rafael Furcal to load the bases.  But Madsen struck out Matt Kemp to keep the game tied at 1 with Chase Utley coming to bat.  Manager Charlie Manuel opted to go with lefty J.A. Happ to face left-handed hitting Andre Ethier.  But the move backfired as Ethier drew the 2-out bases loaded walk to give the Dodgers a 2-1 lead.

Jonathan Broxton worked a perfect 9th inning against the top of the Phillies lineup to preserve the 2-1 lead and even the NLCS at 1 game apiece.  The 2 teams resume the series on Sunday night in Philadelphia.  Cliff Lee takes the bump for the Phillies against Hiroki Kuroda of the Dodgers.