Game two of NLCS recap

By Kshell

Today featured just one playoff game. It was a big game since the San Francisco Giants won game one and stole homefield advantage from the two time defending National League Champions Philadelphia Phillies. This was a must win for the Phillies realistictly and they turn the ball over to their other hired gun Roy Oswalt. Oswalt got roughed up his last start in the NLDS but has pitched well in his NLCS career and knows how pitch in big games. He wouldn't dissapoint his hometown fans.

Oswalt silents Giants bats as Phillies win 6-1, even series

Typically when a team loses game one at home there is tons of panic. When that said team loses with their ace there is a sense of series over. Well when your game two starter is Roy Oswalt who was 7-1 with the Phillies this year and 4-0 lifetime in the postseason you aren't nervous. This is why they acquired Oswalt and he shut down the Giants early and often.

The Phillies got on the board in the first inning when Giants starter Jonathan Sanchez coming off an NLDS start where he struck out 11 hitters walked the slumping Jimmy Rollins with the bases loaded. Sanchez was wild but was pretty effective during the game. With the way Oswalt was pitching Sanchez couldn't afford many mistakes.

The Giants were held hitless going into the fifth inning when game one hero Cody Ross took an Oswalt pitch to deep left field. All three of Ross homeruns this series has been in the spot basic location in left field. Oswalt was pretty dominant allowing just that only run of the game and only three hits.

The Phillies broke the game open in the seventh inning. After Sanchez was pulled going 6 innings and leaving a runner on base who would score he gave up three earned runs and struck out seven. The Phillies leading 3-1 had the bases loaded and two outs for struggling short stop Jimmy Rollins. Rollins who had hit right handed all game, Bochy decided to turn him around to the left side bringing in right hander Santiago Casilla, Rollins belted to the pitch to deep right field almost hitting a grand slam. He would settle for a bases loaded clearing double putting the game out of reach.

Oswalt continued to dominate the Giants going 8 innings allowing just 3 hits and striking out 9. The Phillies finally got that huge clutch hit with runners in scoring position in the seventh inning to break the game open and send the series back to San Francisco tied at one game each. There is a reason why both teams are in the league championship series. The Giants starters this postseason has had a quality start in every start and the Phillies pitchers #1-3 are pitching like aces. The Phillies will start Cole Hamels in game three while the Giants will send Matt Cain to the hill.

The Giants got what they wanted which was a split in Philadelphia and now return home. The crowd will be rocking Tuesday through Thursday. The Phillies are still in a good spot with Hamels going in game three. The losing team in game three will be faced with a tough decision though. Whoever is down 2-1 must decide if he should pitch his fourth starter or go with his ace on three days rest. I guess we'll find out soon enough. The Giants hung tough then the Phillies showed why they are the two time defending National League Champions.