Homers, near misses mark NLCS Game One

Oct 10, 2008 - 6:59 AM By Vince DiGregorio PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

For one night, Citizens Bank Park was only hitter-friendly to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Chase Utley and Pat Burrell both hit home runs to help the Phillies rally from a two-run deficit and post a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game One of the National League Championship Series.

Philadelphia benefited from the homer simply because it hit them to the right spots. Utley's went several rows into the right field seats, while Burrell's blast was a liner into the left field stands.

Dodgers starting pitcher Derek Lowe, who gave up both homers, refused to blame the ballpark's reputation as a bandbox.

"I have no idea. Clearly, it's a hitter's park, but it doesn't mean you can't pitch a good game," Lowe said.

It was Los Angeles left fielder Manny Ramirez who hit the longest ball of the game, driving a fastball from Cole Hamels off the paneling above the high wall just to the left of straightaway center field - over 400 feet away. But Ramirez's shot stayed in play for an RBI double in the first inning.

"Any time (Ramirez) hits a ball in the air, I think it's out anyway," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said.

"I thought Manny Ramirez's ball might have a chance to get out," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said.

Ramirez's near-miss may have cost Los Angeles, because instead of a two-run homer, the Dodgers had to settle for just the one run.

"I guess that's the furthest ball anybody can hit (at Citizens Bank Park) for it not be out of the yard," Hamels said. "I'm just lucky enough it didn't go out. Instead of (being) down, 2-0, it's 1-0."

It seemed fitting that only a slugger of such high regard like Ramirez could hit a ball to a spot where no other player has in the history of the ballpark, which opened in 2004.

"Fortunately, (Ramirez) hit it to the very, very, furthest point of our field," said Phillies closer Brad Lidge, who recorded the save in the win. "It worked out well and I was glad it stayed in the yard.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard once cleared the brick wall in dead center with a mammoth blast, but most of the others hit by various players struck the base of the wall and never just missed going out.

"There was one spot where (Ramirez) could have kept the ball in (play) and he hit it off the top of the fence," Howard said. "That was huge for us. Because off the bat, I thought it might have been gone. It was a relief."