and no shame in losing to Hamels at home.  We had a chance early  but Manny was a couple of feet short and Martin was over anxious. Lowe was masterful until the sixth when  Furcal made the error that gave the Phillies a chance, and their power took it from there. We had chances against Madson and Lidge but came up empty. At some point this series Matt Kemp is going to have do more then hit a lucky double. Blake DeWitt turned a couple of nice double plays and looked like a 3rd baseman charging a bunt when he handled the weak ground ball by Howard to nip him at 1st base. When we needed someone to make contact he delivered the sac fly.

The good news is that we now head into a game we should win.  They got an error and two bombs. Other then that against Lowe/Park/Maddux/Kuo they did nothing. Kuo will not be available today but he looked good and that bodes well for the games at Dodger Stadium. We have Wade/Broxton/Beimel/Kershaw all available today. If they can't hit Maddux and Park can they hit our good relievers?

Myers is twice as good at home as he is on the road. Billingsley needs to match him and let our relief staff keep the game close. Another one run game looks likely. We need to come out on top but even if we blow these two at home it ain't over. As Eric Stephen has shown losing two on the road is not the end all.

1985 NLCS: Dodgers won first two at home, lost series (in 6)
1981 WS: Dodgers lost first two on road, won series (in 6)
1981 NLDS: Dodgers lost first two on road, won series (in 5)*
1978 WS: Dodgers won first two at home, lost series (in 6)
1965 WS: Dodgers lost first two on road, won series (in 7)
1956 WS: Dodgers won first two at home, lost series (in 7)
1955 WS: Dodgers lost first two on road, won series (in 7)