)
)
Los Angeles came out strong by scoring five runs in the first inning en route to a 7-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series.
Sports Photos: Check out new pics of everything going on today in the world of sports!
Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Blake DeWitt's three-run triple highlighted a five-run first inning, and Hiroki Kuroda threw six-plus strong innings as the Dodgers beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 7-2, in a fiery Game 3 of the National League Championship Series.
Manny Ramirez and Casey Blake also singled in runs as part of the first-inning outburst, and Rafael Furcal homered in the second off 45-year-old Jamie Moyer.
The Dodgers trail the best-of-seven series, 2-1, but have two more games in Los Angeles before possibly going back to Philadelphia.
The benches cleared in the third inning, soon after Kuroda threw a high pitch over Shane Victorino's head, and Dodgers catcher Russell Martin was hit by a pitch twice.
Kuroda (2-0) was charged with five hits and two runs, and relievers Cory Wade and Jonathan Broxton combined to yield a pair of singles the rest of the way.
Pedro Feliz and Pat Burrell had RBI singles for the Phillies, while Moyer (0-2), the oldest to ever start an LCS game, was blistered for six hits and six runs in 1 1/3 innings.
Game 4 is scheduled for Monday. Derek Lowe, the Game 1 loser, will pitch on three days' rest for LA, while Joe Blanton will take the mound for the Phillies.
© 2008