After Tim Lincecum turned in a perfect first, the Phillies were looking for the same from their own ace in Roy Halladay. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to do it, and now the visitors will have to play catch up.
Phillies Vs. Giants, NLCS Game 5: Roy Halladay Allows Early Run
Halladay faced Andres Torres to lead off and tried to find the outside corner of the strike zone. He missed too many times and issued a very uncharacteristic walk.
Up next was Freddy Sanchez, and with Torres running, Sanchez lined an 0-1 cutter back into center field for a single that sent Torres all the way to third base. With nobody out, the Giants had the first run of the game just 90 feet away from home plate.
And then Aubrey Huff followed with a line drive that promised to put the Giants in the lead. Ryan Howard, though, made a diving catch to his right to keep the ball from getting down and reaching the outfield.
Yet the lead was established just three pitches later. Facing Buster Posey, Halladay got a grounder to second, but it was hit too softly to turn a double play, and Chase Utley bobbled the ball trying to pick it up anyway. Utley was able to throw out the lead runner, but Posey was safe at first, and Torres scored from third.
That put the Giants up 1-0, and though Pat Burrell struck out to end the frame, the Giants will be more than happy to take what they got.
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