Phillies Take 2-0 Lead Into 'Mannywood'

Of all those big hitters in Philadelphia's potent lineup, no one ever expected pitcher Brett Myers to put them in control of the NL championship series with his bat, the AP reports. Myers did better at the plate than on the mound, going 3-for-3 with three RBIs, Shane Victorino drove in four runs and the Phillies overcame another homer by Manny Ramirez to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-5 today for a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven NLCS.

A grieving Charlie Manuel was in the dugout with the Phillies, hours after the manager's mother died. Players and coaches from both teams offered condolences before the game. Victorino made a clutch catch with two on to end the seventh, and Brad Lidge hung on in the ninth for his second save of the series. He walked Ramirez and James Loney, then struck out Matt Kemp and Nomar Garciaparra to end it. (More baseball playoffs stories.)