Philadelphia Phillies: Post season results – Part 2 – MLB 2011
After losing the second game in a worst possible manner, Philadelphia Phillies were looking to rediscover their form in game three to get things back on track. Charlie Manuel and his men had done an absolutely astonishing job in season 2011 to win their fifth straight NL East division title. By beating the defending champions, the Phillies were hoping to win their second World Series title in just four years.
The Phillies had a made strong start to the best of five game series. Hammering the Cardinals 11-6 in the opening game, they executed their game plan to perfection. Although they lost a thriller to the defending champions in the following game, the Phillies scored another big win in third game to take a crucial 2-1 lead in their NL playoff match-up.
Pinch hitter Ben Francisco and closer Ryan Madson made useful contributions as the Phillies held off St. Louis Cardinals to emerge victorious 3-2 in a competitive contest.
"To steal a game here, if worse comes to worst, we come back home and we've got another game with Doc (Roy Halladay) on the mound," Phillies slugger Ryan Howard said. "We put ourselves in a great situation."
"Well, it didn't work, so that's bad managing," La Russa said. "I'm watching him pitch and was really pleased. I thought he was the guy to continue pitching and I knew the matchups were in our favor. ... It didn't work."
Francisco displayed some high quality hitting skills as he hit a towering three run homer in seventh. Madson, on the other hand, earned his first multi-innings save of the year. Team manager, Charlie Manuel was very pleased with the way his players responded to pressure situations and he aimed to cheer up the fans with a similar performance in the next game.
Known for their fighting abilities and mental strength, the Cardinals fought back bravely in fourth game to level the series at 2-2. It was a great comeback by the Cardinals considering their poor performance in the previous game. David Freese, who was shut down by the Phillies’ pitchers in the first three games, showed great determination and composure in the fourth game to become a hometown baseball star.
"Just to do this in front of the fans of St. Louis and a bunch of friends and family, it's amazing,” said Freese in a post game interview.
Hitting an important home run while driving in four runs, the right handed striker forced errors from the pitchers. Making the most of his available opportunities, he let the Cardinals force the series into the deciding fifth game.
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