Phils look to take pennant in LA as they carry heavy hearts

The Phils took the red eye to Los Angeles Friday evening after taking the first two games of the NLCS against The Los Angeles Dodgers. However, these weren't just two typical wins in the NLCS. And come to think of it, these aren't your typical Phillies either.

The Dodgers first inning run in the opening game Thursday night could have been two runs- IF left fielder Manny Ramirez's long fly ball to center field didn't just hit the top panel before the stands. Baseball truly is a game of inches, and never more so for the Phillies on that particular play. The Dodgers Derek Lowe is known as one of the best post season pitchers in the last 30 years- BUT the Phillies got the best of him in game one just like they had done to C.C. Sabathia just one week prior. This was due in large part to Chase Utley's first post-season home run, and Pat Burrell's game winning blast moments later. And let's not forget Cole Hamels, who after a shaky start was able to settle down and pitch brilliantly for seven strong innings. Not many people are questioning the young lefthander's heart now, and after last year's shaky NLCS, Hamels has regrouped in 2008 and has been nothing short of spectacular this postseason. If you thought game one was awesome, this was truly the "Star Wars" to game two's "Empire Strikes Back".

Just prior to batting practice Friday afternoon, Charlie Manuel had received word that his 87 year-old mother had passed away after suffering a heart attack several days earlier. When game two starter Brett Myers heard the news, he told Manuel that he was going to win the game for his mother. It's obvious at this stage in Manuel's tenure in Philadelphia that he is truly loved by his players, and there is no doubt that circumstances or not, he gets the best from his players as well. Myers did not disappoint. His overall line was not impressive: five innings pitched, 5 runs, 6 hits, but once again it was his hitting that made the headlines.

Myers became the only pitcher in major league baseball history to go three for three with three rbi's in the Phillies 8-5 victory. Keep in mind that Myers only had four hits the entire season and has now equalled that in the playoffs. Like I said, these aren't your typical Phillies. Also lost in the mix was Shane Victorino, who had four runs batted in and made what was perhaps to this point the series most important catch. With a leap against the wall off the bat of Casey Blake's bat in the top of the eighth inning, Victorino easily saved three runs to keep the Dodgers scoreless for the fourth consecutive inning. The Phillies held on for the win, but moments after the game, he was told that his grandmother had passed away early Friday morning. Victorino's father had waited to tell him until after the game for fear that his performance would be affected. Nothing is yet confirmed, but it has been said that the families of Manuel and Victorino are taking care of arrangements that will enable both men to be present for the funerals of their respective loved ones while still being able to participate in the NLCS without missing any time. One thing is for certain: heaven now has a few more angels looking down on the Phillies.

In the whole history of this game, there is not doubt that the myriad of emotions experienced by the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday have not been equalled by any other team in the modern era. To play the way they did despite the circumstances truly shows the character of this team. Again they are not arrogant, claiming that there is still much work to be done as play resumes Sunday evening in Los Angeles. With the way they are playing they are getting closer and closer to the ultimate goal with each victory, even making believers out of the staunchest negadelphians.

And for that matter, some disgruntled fans as well.