It's Time to Philabrate!!

SWEEP!



 Jeff Bohen-Staff Writer

NLCS Here they come!

Celebration after last night win. (REUTERS/John Sommers II)

The Philadelphia Phillie's completed a three-game sweep behind a complete game shutout by Cole Hamels defeating the Cincinnati Reds 2-0 Sunday night at the Great American Ball Park.

Hamels struck out nine, allowing five hits, Chase Utley homered, as the Reds National League leading offense looked anemic against a Phillie's pitcher for the third game in a row.
With Roy Halladay's dominance in game one, Roy Oswalt rested from a short work day in game two the H20 boys will again look to lead the way in the NLCS against either Atlanta or San Francisco here in Philadelphia on Saturday.
"For everybody here the ultimate goal is to get to the World Series," Halladay said. "This is the first step were all looking to get to the end."

The NL's Top offense managed only 11 hits in the three games combined the fewest for a team in a post season series according to Stats LLC.

Hamels got Joey Votto to ground into a double play, after a Brandon Phillips single lead of the ninth.

Hamels then struck out Scott Rolen to end the game.

The offense provided all Hamel's needed to work with in the top of the first. Placido Polanco singled up the middle, a Ryan Howard single to shallow left advanced Polanco to third.

Up to the plate came Jayson Werth, hitting a grounder to second basemen Orlando Cabrera, whose throw pulled first basemen Joey Votto of the bag, allowing Polanco to cross the plate safely with the games first run.

In the top of the fifth with two outs Chase Utley strutted to the plate and was greeted with Cheater! Cheater! and loud boos from Reds fans.

Utley Blasted a Johnny Cueto hanging slider just beyond the reach of center fielder Drew Stubbs in to the seats in right center.

It appeared a fan might of reached over the center field wall to interfer with Stubbs well timed leap at the wall, but after a brief replay review by the umpires, crew chief John Hirschbeck upheld the call several moments later.

"I knew I hit OK," Utley said. " I hit a ball in the first inning that I thought I hit better than that one...but lucky for us its a good hitters ball park."

Hamels owned the Reds from there. The 2008 World Series MVP, Reds hitters off balance working his cutter and change up in the latter innings.

"He was sharp, he was good the whole nine-innings," Phil's manager Charlie Manuel said.

Cincinnati was impressed with all the starters, even after giving Roy Oswalt a hard time in game two.

"Those three alone could probably take them to the World Series and win it," Votto said.

Phase two completed. Bring on the NLCS.

More Photos...


Philadelpia Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz (R) and team-mates celebrate their win over the Cincinnati Reds in Game 3 of the MLB National League Division Series baseball playoffs in Cincinnati, Ohio October 10, 2010. REUTERS/John Sommers II Content © 2010 Reuters All rights reserved.



Philadelphia Phillies Jayson Werth celebrates after the Phillies defeated the Cincinnati Reds in Game 3 of the MLB National League Division Series baseball playoffs in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 10, 2010. REUTERS/John Sommers II
Content © 2010 Reuters All rights reserved.