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MLB: Philadelphia 3, LA Dodgers 2

PHILADELPHIA (UPI) -- Sixth-inning homers by Chase Utley and Pat Burrell Thursday rallied Philadelphia to a 3-2 win over the LA Dodgers in Game 1 of the NL Championship Series.

The Dodgers scratched out a 2-0 lead going into the bottom of the sixth, but the Phillies erased that deficit in the space of four batters and then used outstanding relief pitching to maintain their advantage.

Having reached the NLCS for the first time in 15 years, the Phillies will try for a two-game lead Friday.

Los Angeles starter Derek Lowe allowed four hits over the first five innings, but things quickly unraveled when Shane Victorino reached leading off the sixth on shortstop Rafael Furcal's throwing error.

Utley then hit Lowe's next pitch over the wall in right to tie the game and, after Ryan Howard grounded out, Burrell hit a line-drive homer to left on a 3-1 offering.

Cole Hamels gave up two runs on eight hits over seven innings to get the victory. Ryan Madson worked around a two-out single in the eighth and Brad Lidge came on to throw a perfect ninth and earn the save.

Lidge recorded 41 saves in 41 chances during the regular season.

Back-to-back doubles by Andre Ethier and Manny Ramirez accounted for a Los Angeles run in the first, but the Dodgers missed a chance for a big inning when they left runners on second and third.

The Dodgers' other run came on Blake DeWitt's sacrifice fly in the fourth.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International

This news arrived on: 10/10/2008

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