NLCS: Manny's off the wall; Phils are over it

Facing the hottest hitter in the playoffs, the Philadelphia Phillies needed a little bit of luck Thursday.

In Manny Ramirez's first at-bat of the National League Championship Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers slugger crushed a pitch from Cole Hamels more than 400 feet. But he hit it to the deepest part of Citizens Bank Park, and it was a double high off the wall that drove in a run.

"That was about the farthest anyone can hit it and not be out of the yard," Hamels told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "Lucky for us, it didn't go out."

But Chase Utley and Pat Burrell did hit it out in the span of three batters against Derek Lowe, and the Phillies lead the seven-game series 1-0 after a 3-2 victory.

"First game is definitely important," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel told the Associated Press. "But you still have to win four games."

The ALCS begins today in St. Petersburg, Fla., with the Red Sox's Daisuke Matsuzaka taking on the Rays' James Shields.

More updates in Playoff Central.