NLCS Game 1: Phillies 3, Dodgers 2

This is the big-time, and in a big-time hitter's ballpark. That ultimately was what did in the Dodgers tonight. The ball Manny Ramirez hit in the first inning -- the one that DIDN'T go out because it hit the very top of the wall not only at its deepest point, but also its highest point, and also hit about a foot to the left of the yellow stripe -- went way farther than EITHER of the home runs hit by Chase Utley and Pat Burrell in that decisive sixth inning. But it's not even close to panic time yet. The Dodgers blew a two-run lead in the ninth inning against the New York Mets in Game 1 of the 1988 NLCS -- the last one of these that they actually were in -- and came back to win that series in seven, then blew out Oakland in five in the World Series. Long way to go, folks. ... The good thing about tonight was that Hong-Chih Kuo had a good inning, retiring the Phillies in order in the eighth. Appears to be back to normal. ... Tomorrow's game at 4:35 Philly time, which means weird shadows and maybe some weird developments. See ya then.