After six innings of five hit, scoreless ball in which is struck out eight, the Phillies pinch hit for Cole Hamels in the top of the seventh. That turned out to be a very good decision. With two out and two on Ben Francisco lined a pitch into the left field seats to break the 0-0 deadlock and give the Phillies a lead in this crucial game three.
Prior to the seventh, the Phils had managed only 4 hits off Cardinals’ starter Jamie Garcia, but Shane Victorino led off the inning with a single and was able to advance on a passed ball. Garcia would manage to retire the next two batters, but Tony LaRussa decided to walk Carlos Ruiz to get to the pitchers spot. Charlie Manuel countered with Ben Francisco and three runs later Charlie looks like the guy who made the right call.
The Cardinals did get a run back in the bottom of the 7th, so it’s 3-1 Phillies as we head into the bottom of the 8th.