It happened again. The Dodgers again held a lead over the Phillies in Game 4 of the NLCS, this time in the ninth inning, but Jonathan Broxton and the Dodgers walked off the field with a heartbreaking 5-4 loss, and a crushing 3-1 series deficit.
Broxton again faced Matt Stairs, who homered off him last season, but this time Stairs was in a four-for-50 slump. With one out, Stairs walked on four pitches. Up stepped Dodger killer Carlos Ruiz, who was hit with the first pitch, putting the winning run in scoring position. Broxton retired Greg Dobbs, bringing Jimmy Rollins to the plate with two outs and two on. Rollins lined a shot to the gap in right center, bringing home the tying and winning runs.
The Dodgers had this game. Bottom of the order facing Broxton with a lead is easy money. I really don't know what else to say. There is no game tomorrow, so we have roughly 44 hours to hear about how this series is over. From where I'm sitting, I can't say I disagree.
WP - Brad Lidge (1-0): 2 batters, 2 strikeouts
LP - Jonathan Broxton (0-1): 1 IP, 1 hit, 2 runs, 1 walk