OK. It's only one game. So Chase Utley struck out four times and the first four hitters in the batting order went 0-for-15 with nine strikeouts... big deal.
That doesn't mean that the series is over... does it?
C'mon, no it doesn't. If there has been one constant this season it's that the Phillies are pretty good at bouncing back. Even when they are down and seemingly out, the Phillies always found a way to rally. They trailed the Mets by seven games with 17 to play, for Pete's sake... what's the big deal about a 1-0 deficit in a five-game series?
Well...
For one thing, a rookie with over 200 innings on his thin, right arm is taking the ball for Game 2. For another, Chase "Golden Sombrero" Utley has just four hits in his last 25 plate appearances. And for yet another, the Rockies are sending another lefty to the mound to face the Phillies. Lefties, as seen in Jeff Francis' gem in Game 1, give the Phillies fits.
Plus, if the Phillies lose Game 2, they would have to win three in a row with two of those games to played at Coors Field.
No, the Phillies don't have their backs against the wall. But they very well might soon...
Here's the Game 1 output from the big boy (me), excluding the inning-by-inning updates posted here:
• Rookie Kendrick Relaxed Before Game 2 • Utley Struggles Mightily in Playoff Debut • Game 1 a Learning Experience for Hamels