Still alive: Phillies escape San Francisco with win

We're coming back to Philly! After a tight Game 5 that saw the Phillies edge the Giants, 4-2, to stave off elimination, it appears that we have a series again. Apparently there is a reason we call them the Fightin' Phils.

Roy Halladay didn't have his best stuff but he still put forth a good effort, giving the Phillies 6 innings while allowing just 2 runs. While he uncharacteristically worked himself into several 3 ball counts and even walked two batters, Halladay never backed down, battling through a few tough jams to stave off any big Giant rallies. Even more impressive in the game was the Phillies bullpen, as Jose Contreras, J.C. Romero, Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge pitched the final 3 innings and gave up only 1 hit, walked none and struck out 5. Madson gave the Phillies the best inning of the night in the 8th, when he struck out the three most dangerous Giants hitters in Buster Posey, Pat Burrell and Cody Ross.

Offensively, the Phillies were opportunistic in the third inning when they used a single, a hit by pitch, a strange looking sacrifice bunt, an error and another single to plate three runs against Tim Lincecum. Jayson Werth also added an opposite field homer in the top of the 9th for insurance.

With the series now shifting back to Philadelphia for Games 6 and 7, things are about to get real interesting. As we've said all along, the Phillies rotation is set up perfectly with Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels ready to take the mound. While there might be some concern over Oswalt after he was used in Game 4, he's a gamer and he'll get his arm where it needs to be. This series is far from over, Phillies fans.
(AP PHOTO)