Tip your cap: Jeff Francis pitched six very strong innings, Todd Helton hit his 5th (!) career triple against the Phillies, Matt Holliday out-MVP'd Jimmy Rollins, and Colorado took its second ever playoff victory.
On the Phils' side, heroes were fewer to come by: Cole Hamels was brilliant but for the one awful inning, and Aaron Rowand and Pat Burrell hit solo home runs. Throw J.C. Romero and Brett Myers in there for scoreless relief work if you so choose.
Charlie Manuel made a couple mistakes. One, Jayson Werth should have been in to start the game--and probably should have been pinch-hit for Victorino with a man on second and two out in the 5th--considering how he hits lefties. Two, Michael Bourn absolutely had to steal the base with one out in the bottom of the 7th, a slow-to-the-plate righty on the mound, and a weak-armed catcher behind the plate.
But mostly this was Jeff Francis's day--and he did it at the expense of the Phils' offensive superstars. Rollins, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard were a combined 0 for 11 with a walk and eight strikeouts, and it's a rare day that the Phils can win without any contribution from those three.
Back at 'em tomorrow when rookie Kyle Kendrick takes the hill for as a close to a must-win as you can get without facing elimination.