Dodgers rally to beat Phillies 2-1, tie series

Reuters US Online Report Sports News | 2009-10-17 00:55:37

<div><p>LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Los Angeles Dodgers scratched together two runs in the eighth inning to achieve a 2-1 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday and level the best-of-seven National League Championship Series at 1-1.</p><p>Andre Ethier drew a two-out, bases-loaded walk for the game-winning run in the eighth after they had rallied to tie the game on a throwing error by Phillies second baseman Chase Utley.</p><p>"We're playing for our livelihood," Ethier told reporters after the afternoon game. "It was a little tough (on the field) with the sun up there the whole time but you had to stay with it.</p><p>"We're one game closer to our goal of reaching the World Series."</p><p>The Dodgers ruined a strong performance from veteran Pedro Martinez, who tossed seven scoreless innings in his first post-season start since 2004.</p><p>Vicente Padilla sparkled on the mound for Los Angeles, striking out six and allowing just one run in 7 1/3 innings before Jonathan Broxton closed out the ninth.</p><p>Having been eliminated by the World Series champion Phillies last year in the NLCS, the Dodgers appeared headed for a two-game deficit following their 8-6 loss in the opening encounter on Thursday.</p><p>The Dodgers, however, led off the eighth with two hits and catcher Russell Martin grounded into a force out at second base before Utley threw the ball high and wide to first while trying to turn a double play, scoring one run.</p><p>Pinch-hitter Jim Thome then hit a line drive single to the right field corner. Rafael Furcal then walked to load the bases and Ethier, who had initially fallen behind in the count, then worked a walk against relief pitcher J.A. Happ to score Martin.</p><p>"I was very proud with that at-bat, falling behind like that," said Dodgers manager Joe Torre. "That was obviously huge."</p><p>Ryan Howard gave Philadelphia a 1-0 lead with a solo home run in the fourth inning and finished 2-for-3. The Phillies slugger is batting .409 for the post-season.</p><p>Martinez exhibited the form that earned him three Cy Young Awards, throwing only 87 pitches while he retired former Boston Red Sox team mate Manny Ramirez three times before he turned the game over to Park Chan-ho in the eighth. Park took the loss.</p><p>The Phillies return home for Game Three on Sunday where pitcher Cliff Lee takes the mound against the Dodgers' Hiroki Kuroda.</p><p>"This is a tough loss but we've rebounded back before," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said.</p><p>"This is going to be a tough series."</p><p>(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=61294697&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>


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