CINCINNATI -- The Reds reached their first postseason since 1995 and, in retrospect, were dead on arrival.The Phillies, seeking their third consecutive National League pennant, rode pitcher Cole Hamels to a 2-0 victory Sunday that completed a sweep of the National League Division Series.
Once the Phillies scored in the first inning of Game 1 -- Wednesday night in Philadelphia -- the Reds were not long for the series.
Roy Halladay went on to throw the second no-hitter of postseason history.
In Game 2, the Reds fell apart and lost 7-4 after taking a four-run lead.
The series moved to Flyover Land for Game 3. A sellout crowd showed up for Cincinnati's first home playoff game since the 1995 National League Championship Series against the Braves. But Hamels, a cool California kid who led the Phillies to the World Series title in 2008, dealt the Reds their fourth shutout in the last five games against the Phillies.
Hamels allowed only five hits and struck out nine. After Brandon Phillips hit a leadoff single in the ninth inning, Hamels induced a double play from Joey Votto and struck out Scott Rolen to send Philadelphia to its third consecutive NLCS.
• Turning Point: When Hamels threw his pregame warmup pitches and his left arm didn't complain, the Reds should've gone speed-boating on the nearby Ohio River to take advantage of the warm weather. Hamels, a Californian who blends power with precision, doesn't lose elimination games in October (now 4-0). Nor does he lose to the Reds (now 7-0).
• Stud: Hamels. The left-hander lacked his best changeup and accuracy, but he had enough heat on his fastball to make it all work. He averaged 92-94 mph and reached 96 mph. He had no walks.
• Dud: Orlando Cabrera's mouth. Cabrera, the Reds' shortstop who had a .303 on-base percentage this year, whined about the plate umpire after the Reds were no-hit in Game 1 by Roy Halladay. Before Game 3 Sunday, Cabrera talked himself into the lineup despite his side injury that had led Reds manager Dusty Baker to inform Paul Janish that Cabrera wouldn't be starting. Looking like a guy with a sore side, Cabrera threw a screwball for a two-out error that gave the Phillies a 1-0 lead in the first. Baker should've gone with Janish.
• Key Stat: Lording over the NL serfs, the Phillies have won their last five playoff series with ease by amassing a 17-4 record against against four NL franchises (9-2 vs. Brewers, Rockies and Reds in the last three Division Series; 8-2 vs. the Dodgers in the last two NLCS).
• The Big Picture: The Phillies are in their third consecutive NLCS, where they will almost certainly defeat either the Giants or Braves.
