Ross, Lincecum Lead Way as Giants Power Way to 1-0 Series Lead.

Jeff Boeh-Staff Writer


Cody Ross hit two solo homers, Tim Lincecum was good enough to win and the San Francisco Giants shocked the Phillie's winning 4-3.


It was the pitching duel that wasn't for the most part.

Roy Halladay looked human.


Lincecum wasn't so "freaky," but good enough to get the job done finishing the night with a fairly pedestrian pitching line; 7 innings, 3 hits, 3 earned runs, 6 hits and 8 strikeouts.


It was expected to be a game dominated by the Halladay and Lincecum, however Ross caught lighting in bottle taking Halladay deep to left on a 1-1 pitch.

It was the first run and hit the no-hit master gave up in this years playoffs.

Ross said, "I got a good pitch to handle and got some good wood on it." About the second homer hit it in the fifth in almost the same exact spot, Ross, the late season spare part pickup from the Marlins, said, "I just got another good pitch to handle."

Halladay was human tonight, and the Giants took advantage of it.

In the bottom of the third, Catcher, Carlos Ruiz tied the game when he launched a 2-0 Lincecum high fastball to right.

In the fifth, Ross again hit a laser to left on a 1-1 pitch for his second solo shot of the night off of Halladay. "Doc,"finished the night with 7 innings giving up four earned runs, and striking out seven.

In the top of the sixth, Buster Posey got aboard with a lead off single.

Then former Phils left fielder Pat Burrel drove a 1-2 2 out pitch in to the the gap in left center. Raul Ibanez looked to have a bead on the drive, but fumbled the gapper as he leaped for it.

Posey, came around all the way from first to make it a 3-1 Giants lead. Juan Urbie doubled, and pinch runner Nate Schierholtz scored to make it a 4-1 lead.

In the bottom of the sixth Chase Utley lead off with a single, then Jason Werth's two-out oppisite field drive over the to right brought the phils closer making it a 4-3 Giants lead.


Brian Wilson came in to close out the game with four strikeouts.

"Its huge for a club, said Giants manager Bruce Bochy, talking about the Ross homers, and his teams 1-0 NLCS lead.

They beat the best that the Phil's have to offer, now the pressure is in Roy Oswalt, game two starter tomorrow for the Phil's in what looks to be a must win for the Phillies.

Giants v Phils Game -1

The baseball axiom goes "if you have great pitching, your more than likely to win in October.

But what happens when you have the two best pitching staffs in the National League?

Well at Citizens Bank Park tonight we begin to find out as Game1 of the NLCS between the two-time defending NL champion Philadelphia Phillie's and the NL West Champion San Francisco Giants starts off with what should be a pitchers duel for the ages.

Reigning two-time Cy Young winner, Tim "The Freak" Lincecum, goes against Mr. No- hitter, Roy Halladay with first pitch set for 8:24 PM

The series is a throw back to the late 60's and 70's where teams like the Baltimore Oriole's and St Louis Cardinals dominated, and intimidated respective leagues with stellar pitching in October.

You couldn't come up with two pitchers that are so unlike each other in personality and approach then the machine like Halladay and the carefree skinny kid Lincecum. But they both get Cy Young results.

As for the offense's, the Phils are a power laden team which has driven them in making there 3rd NLCS appearence in a row. Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez, and Jason Werth face a Giants staff that had a 0.98 era in the Divisional Series striking out 36 in the process.

During the regular season series,they split 3 games apiece, Phillies hitters were shut down by the Giants starters hitting a collective . 226 with four home runs.

Jimmy Rollins, has yet to have a break out game, during the playoffs and some experts see this a important sign in terms of run production.

The Giants with odds-on favorite for rookie of the year, Buster Posey, don't score many runs, however come up with timely hits in crucial situations.

As some added drama former Phils'slugger Pat "The Bat" Burrell and center fielder Aaron Rowand will be across the diamond in the visitors dugout each chomping at the bit for an opportunity to do in there former team.

The series promises to be something special, something Major League Baseball fans have longed for.

The Phillie's have done this before and are battle tested champs.

The Giants came from behind and passed the fading Padres to win there division. Every game in September was a playoff game essentially.

If Rollins doesn't do as he has done in the past, its going to be a long series. They need him to set the table. The Phil's offensive struggles can be traced right back to Rollins inability to get on base.

Can closer Brad Lidge keep it together? Will Brian Wilson melt under lights of scrutiny?

So many questions to be answered, in such a short span of time.

Giants in 7

Game time temperature will be 55 degrees with winds coming out of the West North West at approximately 10 MPH when the first pitch is thrown reports the Weather Channel.