Matt Holliday dropped a sinking line drive for an error with two outs in the ninth inning, leading to a two-run rally by the Los Angeles Dodgers that gave them a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday.
Ronnie Belliard and pinch-hitter Mark Loretta hit RBI singles off closer Ryan Franklin, giving the Dodgers a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five NL playoff series. Game 3 is Saturday in St. Louis.
Holliday charged in on James Loney's liner to left field, but the ball hit his midsection and dropped to the grass.
Franklin walked Casey Blake before Belliard singled up the middle, scoring Loney. Franklin walked Russell Martin and a passed ball moved runners up to second and third, setting up Loretta's game-winning hit to center field.
Rockies 5, Phillies 4
At Philadelphia, Yorvit Torrealba hit a two-run homer and Aaron Cook pitched effectively into the sixth as Colorado beat the Phillies 5-4 to level their NL playoff series at 1-1.
Cole Hamels, the World Series and NLCS MVP last year, looked nothing like the pitcher who was so dominant during Philadelphia's championship run last October. The left-hander allowed four runs and seven hits in five innings. He didn't stick around after departing, rushing off to be with his wife, Heidi, who was due to deliver the couple's first child.
Huston Street pitched out of trouble in the ninth to secure the win for Colorado. He retired Shane Victorino on a soft liner to second to leave the tying run _ Game 1 winner Cliff Lee _ at second base.
