Philadelphia Phillies Ben Francisco connects for a three run home run in the seventh inning. UPI/Bill Greenblatt
Ben Francisco, hitting for Cole Hamels in the seventh inning, delivered a three-run HR to lift Philly to a Game 3 win with a 3-2 final.
Up until that point, it was a true pitchers duel between Hamels and Cardinals lefty Jaime Garcia. Garcia retired the first ten batters he faced and allowed just three hits through six innings. The Cardinals had five hits and three walks and really forced Hamels to throw a lot of pitches, leaving after six innings with 117 pitches. Each time the Cardinals showed some kind of threat, Hamels would get a big strikeout, finishing with eight.
In the seventh, the Phillies got the lead off hitter aboard for the first time in the game with Shane Victorino singling a 3-2 pitch into center. Victorino moved to second on a passed ball and with two outs, the Cardinals intentionally walked Carlos Ruiz to force Phillies manager Charlie Manuel to lift Hamels for a pinch hitter. Francisco followed with his three run shot.
In the bottom of the sixth, Ryan Theriot singled with two outs and Jon Jay drew a walk, but with a three hitter going and only 74 pitches thrown, Tony LaRussa left Garcia in the game and he struck out ending the sixth.
The Cardinals never say die attitude got them a run in the seventh on an RBI single from David Freese. In the eighth, the Cardinals threatened with the bases loaded and one out off Brad Lidge. Manuel brought in his closer Ryan Madson who induced a double play ball off the bat of Allen Craig leaving the score at 3-1. In the ninth, with two outs, Yadier Molina drove in Albert Pujols who doubled for the second time of the game. Pujols went 4 for 5. Kyle Lohse came in to run for Molina, but Ryan Theriot grounded out to second ending the game.
Game four is Wednesday with a first pitch just after 5pm. Edwin Jackson will go for the Cardinals up against Roy Oswalt.