PHILADELPHIA (AFP) — Pitcher Brett Myers struck out half a dozen batters and added three hits to lead Philadelphia to an 8-5 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in their Major League Baseball semi-final series.
Myers also batted in three runs for the Phillies on Friday, who have jumped to a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven National League Championship Series.
"It is one of those things where you get four hits all season then come out tonight and I get three hits," Myers said.
Shane Victorino also drove in four runs and Greg Dobbs and Carlos Ruiz each scored a pair of runs for Philadelphia.
"We have a never-say-die attitude," Victorino said. "We never give up. We just keep finding ways to capitalize."
Myers (1-0), who had four hits in 58 at-bats during the regular season, has gone four-for-five during two playoff starts.
The righthander did not dominate on the mound, allowing five runs and six hits in five frames while walking four, but still collected the win.
"We are not comfortable and we won't be until we finish this thing," Myers said. "We are going to keep fighting, putting runs on board and pitching."
After the Dodgers took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second, the Phillies exploded for four runs in the bottom of the frame.
Ruiz and Myers each singled in a run before Victorino's two-run base hit gave Philadelphia a 4-1 lead.
Los Angeles got back a run in the third, but Philadelphia again responded with four in the bottom of the inning, with Myers plating two more with a single and Victorino hitting a two-run triple for an 8-2 advantage.
The Phillies did their damage against Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley (0-1), who was charged with all eight runs - seven earned - and eight hits in 2 1/3 innings. The 24-year-old righthander struck out five and walked three.
Manny Ramirez hit a three-run homer in the fourth to pull Los Angeles within 8-5, but relief pitchers Myers, Chad Durbin, J.C. Romero, Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge held the Dodgers to two hits over the final five innings.
"That is a great hitting team," Lidge said. "I kept telling myself to rear back throw my best stuff and I will be fine."
The players were playing with heavy hearts, thinking about manager Charlie Manuel whose mother died Friday morning.
"We were all in shock when we heard it. We are very sorry and we really wanted to win for Charlie," Lidge said. "We are playing for Charlie. He is a very inspirational guy."
Manuel, who was at the ballpark Friday, is the third-oldest of 11 siblings. His father Charles Sr. died at age 43 when Charlie will still a teen.
It was the second piece of bad news on Friday for the Phillies, who learned the same day that Victorino's grandmother had died.
The teams travel to Los Angeles for game three on Sunday.
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