NLCS: Philadelphia Phillies 3, Los Angeles Dodgers 2 (Phillies Lead Series 1-0)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Philadelphia Phillies used the long ball to score three runs in the sixth and beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 to take the opener of the National League Championship Series.

The Phillies rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the sixth. Shane Victorino reached base on a throwing error by Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal. Chase Utley then hit a two-run home run to ruin Derek Lowe’s shutout bid. After Ryan Howard was retired, Pat Burrell delivered the second homer of the inning, a solo shot to left.

Twelve of the Phillies’ 18 runs in the postseason have scored via home runs.

The two homers ended Lowe’s night. He allowed three runs on six hits in his five and a-third innings.

The Dodgers scored in the first on back-to-back doubles by Andre Ethier and Manny Ramirez off Phillies starter Cole Hamels for back-to-back doubles in the first inning. They added a second run on Blake DeWitt’s sacrifice fly in the fourth.

Hamels pitched seven strong innings for the win. He allowed two runs on six hits, striking out eight. Ryan Madson pitched a scoreless eighth before Brad Lidge set down the Dodgers in the ninth for the save, his third of the postseason.

Game 2 is scheduled for Friday with a late-afternoon start in Philadelphia. It’ll be 16-game winner Chad Billingsley for the Dodgers against Brett Myers for the Phils.

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