2012 Major League Playoffs - Philadelphia (89-73) vs. Los Angeles (94-68)

Game 1 @ LA. Kyle Bonderman vs. Eric Rodriguez. LA takes a 1-0 lead in the first on back to back doubles by Paul Riley and Ramon Ortega. Paul White hits a solo HR in the 4th inning to tie the game at 1. In the bottom of the 4th, LA gets runners at 2nd and 3rd with 1 out, when Yamil Maduro singled to right. The go-ahead run scores, but Willie Rivera throws out DJ Werden at the plate to limit the potential big inning to just one run.

In the 6th, Rodriguez retires the first two batters he faces. Jimmy Taylor and Matt Bulger hit back to back doubles to tie the game at 2. Paul White then follows with a single to centerfield, but Paul Riley throws Bulger out at the plate to end the inning and keep the game tied.

In the top of the 7th, Rodriguez again gets the first two batters out before allowing a single to Rick Cooney. Philadelphia pinch runs speedster Emilio Mendoza. On a grounder to 3B, Hank Crowell overthrows 1B, and Philly has runners at 2nd & 3rd with 2 outs. Before the next batter can swing, Mendoza tries to steal home, and is thrown out to end the inning.

In the 8th, Philadelphia loads the bases with 2 outs for Willie Rivera. Rivera hits a deep fly to left that just keeps going. DJ Werden jumps at the track, but the ball is gone, Grand Slam! Philadelphia leads 6-2. They win the game as LA is not able to mount a rally as they are in shock.

Game 2 
Philly jumps off to a 4-0 lead and gets homers from Jimmy Taylor and Matt Bulger. They hold on to win game 2 8-5 and take a surprising 2-0 lead on LA as we head to Philly.

Game 3 
The LA bats spring to life en route to a 9-5 victory. LA quickly dismisses Philadelphia starter Billy Blackbuck (6 runs in 3.2 innings). Paul Riley scores 4 runs for LA and Kobe Jones has 4 hits as well.

Game 4
Philadelphia gets 3 runs in the first inning, but the LA bats responded again. LA rides a 5-5 game from Brent Johnson, and gets homers from Paul Riley, Hank Crowell, and DJ Werden and win the game 9-4. The series is now tied 2 games apiece, and the Home team is winless.

Game 5
This one is more of a pitchers duel. Philly gets a big HR early from Paul White, and they hang on to win the game 5-3. With a day off between games 5 and 6, Philly goes to the bullpen early and gets 3.2 scoreless innings. Hank Jenks goes the final 2 innings for the save. Philly leads the series 3-2, and will get Geoff Favre back for Game 6.

Game 6 
Philly takes the early 2-0 lead, but gives it back to LA with a big 4 run 4th inning, highlighted by a Brent Johnson HR. Philly claws back with runs in the 5th and 7th to tie the game. With the game tied at 4 going to the top of the 9th, LA decides to bring in closer extraordinaire Julio Rodriguez.

Dave Masterman leads off with a single, is pinch run for with Emilio Mendoza, who steals second. After a strikeout, Mendoza proceeds to steal third. Philly then puts on the suicide squeeze with Jimmy Taylor, and he manages to foul the pitch off. On the next pitch, he shows bunt, but then changes his mind and drives a pitch off the wall in right center for the go-ahead double. Matt Bulger and Paul White hit consecutive doubles to give Philadelphia the 7-4 lead.

J-Rod finally gets out of the inning, but not before failing miserably in his job. Maybe closers really can’t pitch in non-save situations? Luis Cannon (Jenks was still tired) closes out LA in the 9th, and Philadelphia wins the series 4 games to 2.