PHILADELPHIA—The Los Angeles Dodgers had nothing but admiration for the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday after losing the National League Championship Series to the same opponents by a 4-1 margin for the second year in succession.
"They kept coming at us," Dodgers manager Joe Torre told reporters after Philadelphia's 10-4 win that clinched another trip to the World Series.
"Offensively they were a tough group for us."
Philadelphia outscored the Dodgers 35-16 in winning the best-of-seven series with two games to spare and blasted four more home runs (10-6) than Los Angeles.
"They're tough, they're kind of like some of the clubs I had in New York," Dodgers batting coach Don Mattingly said about his days as a coach with the Yankees during Torre's reign as manager in the Bronx.
"They're dangerous. They're patient and they're veterans. They've seen lots of different styles of pitching.
"And they're tough. They're a tough lineup to go through."
Slugger Jim Thome, traded to the Dodgers late in the season by the Chicago White Sox, admired the progress Phillies hitters have shown since he played with the club from 2003-05.
"They've progressed into stars. Offensively, their lineup is very, very good," Thome said, while noting the important role played by the raucous fans at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park.
"I think the atmosphere plays a big part in it, you have to credit their fans."
The fans serenaded the Dodgers with thunderous chants during Wednesday's contest. " Beat LA, Beat LA," was a staple and left-fielder Manny Ramirez was a popular target.
"They've got it going on," Thome said.
"When a team beats you like that, you gotta give credit. They battle, they keep going. They keep putting pressure on the opponent. You tip your hat. They had a heck of a series."
Torre said the Dodgers' only chance was to pitch better.
"If you can pitch up to your capabilities, every hitter can be had," he said.
"I respect that group. They're great. But we can't always throw the ball where we want to. Pitching is the only thing that can neutralise what they do.
"They're confident, they're talented, and they're going to where we all want to go right now —the World Series."
