Arizona Defeats Phils in 7 Games

In an extremely hardfought series, Arizona came from a 3-0 series deficit to win the series 4 games to 3. The series featured several highlights including an incredible bases loaded triple play turned by Arizona in the critical 6th game. A brief game recap follows:

Game 1 @ Arizona: Philly 4-2
Randy Johnson pitched 11 strong innings versus the highpowered Philly attack. He gave up a 2-run shot to Mike Lieberthal in the top of the 11th. Pujols added a homerun and the Philly bullpen pitched 5 scoreless for the winners.

Game 2 @Arizona: Philly 9-2
This one was decided early. Schilling got hit hard and was behind 8-1 by the time the dust cleared in the 5th. Chavez and Hatteberg homered for Philly and Rodrigo Lopez gave up just 1 er in 6 ip's for the win.

Series moves to Philadelphia with Phils up 2-0

Game 3 @Philly Philly 4-0
The Arizona bats remained silent and Philly took a huge lead in the series 3-0. 3's were wild as 3 Philly hurlers limited Arizona to 3 hits and 3 Philly batters hit triples.

Game 4 @Philly Arizona 8-2
D'Backs erupt for 8 runs and 13 hits and avoid the sweep! Randy Johnson pitches another CG. This one the 9 inning variety. He allows 2 er's and k's 15. Matt Williams homered for Arizona and Vlad added a shot for the Phils.

Game 5 @Philly Arizona 11-5
Hmm ...2 games in a row for D'Backs? Arizona cracks out 14 more hits enroute to their 2nd victory in the series. Schilling picks up the win and 4 Arizona relievers slow the Philly attack.

Series returns to Arizona with Phils holding 3-2 game lead

Game 6 @Arizona Arizona 8-2
Brian Lawrence pitched 4 innings allowing 1 run. 5 more D'Back relievers limit Philly to 1 er over the next 5 innings. The highlight of this game was a 4-5-4 Triple Play turned in the top of the 5th to stimy a Philadelphia threat! J Hairston set the tone early with a leadoff homerun for Arizona.

Arizona has fought back from a 3-0 deficit and head to game 7 with the Unit on the hill.

Game 7 @Arizona Arizona 4-3
Randy Johnson throws his 3rd complete game of this series. He goes 9 full, allows 2 er's and k's 12. Steve Finley hit a 2-run homer for the D'Backs and Magglio Ordonez added a run scoring triple and a double. Mark Bellhorn and Vlad went long for Philly.

An incredible series. This was 1 of those times that it really was too bad someone had to lose. Rick and his Philadelphia team gave the D'backs all they could handle. Arizona heads to the finals hoping to win the title for the 2nd time in 3 years.