Phillies-Dodgers: Brad Lidge Shows Poise, Phillies Swipe Game One

Game One of the 2009 NLCS proved to be a slugfest dabbled with stretches of great pitching by both the Dodgers and Phillies.

As the game started, it looked as though this was going to be a pure pitchers duel; Cole Hamels and Clayton Kershaw came out throwing heat.

Both Hamels and Kershaw stayed out of big trouble early, with the exception of Hamels giving up a second-inning, one-run homer to James Loney.

Then, the fifth inning started and so did the fireworks. Kershaw gave up five runs and three hits, including a three-run jack from Carlos Ruiz, making it 3-1 in favor of the Phillies.

Then, with two on and two out, Kershaw faced off with Ryan Howard and Howard made Kershaw pay by smacking a double and scoring two, putting the Phillies up 5-1 and giving Howard his 18th RBI this postseason.

Kershaw was pulled after throwing 137 pitches in four-and-two-thirds innings.

The fifth inning also proved to be trouble for Hamels, who gave up three runs, including a two-run home run to Manny Ramirez.

Hamels lasted into the sixth inning when he had runners on first and second with only one out.

All was fairly quiet until the eighth inning, when Phillies left fielder Raul Ibanez got a hold of one and took a George Sherrill pitch yard for a three-run home run, putting the Phillies up 8-4 going into the bottom of the eighth.

The Dodgers would give Ryan Madson a bit of trouble, scoring two runs and cutting it closer.

Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton did what he does and shut the Phillies down in the top of the ninth, setting the stage for a Brad Lidge close.

During the regular season, Lidge struggled, blowing a league-leading 11 saves, but showed signs of his former self in the NLDS against the Rockies.

Matt Kemp singled to start the inning, followed by Casey Blake hitting into a double play.

Lidge would walk James Loney after taking him to a full count and would then get Ronnie Belliard to pop out to Rollins in shallow left field, giving Lidge his third consecutive postseason save in as many opportunities.

It looked like the Brad Lidge of old: He was in complete control of his pitches and that patented slider was as nasty as it was in 2008.

The Dodgers and Phillies square off again Friday at 4:07 ET.