Raul Ibanez belted a two-run homer a drove in three runs for the Philadelphia Phillies who captured their third straight National League East title by beating Houston 10-3.

Cliff Lee shaky in playoff tuneup for Phillies, loses 5-3 to Houston Astros. Cliff Lee was shaky in his playoff tuneup and the Philadelphia Phillies, one night after clinching their third consecutive NL East title, lost 5-3 to the Houston Astros on Thursday.

NL East champion Phillies avoid sweep, beat Marlins 7-6 in 10 innings. Philadelphia's big sluggers had the day off to rest for the playoffs. The Phillies didn't miss them in their final postseason tuneup.

Rockies enter playoffs with head of steam but question marks in rotation, bullpen. Just like they did in 2007, the Colorado Rockies open the playoffs in Philadelphia as the hottest team in the National League.

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PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - The World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies made a confident start to the postseason with Cliff Lee throwing a six-hitter in a 5-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies in Wednesday's opener of their NL Division series.

Yorvit Torrealba homers off shaky Cole Hamels, Rockies beat Phillies 5-4 to even series, 1-1. Cole Hamels isn't going to breeze through this postseason. Yorvit Torrealba hit a two-run homer, Aaron Cook pitched effectively into the sixth inning and the Colorado Rockies beat Hamels and the Philadelphia Phillies 5-4 Thursday to even their NL playoff series at a game apiece.

Yorvit Torrealba homers off shaky Cole Hamels, Rockies beat Phillies 5-4 to even series, 1-1. Cole Hamels isn't going to breeze through this postseason. Yorvit Torrealba hit a two-run homer, Aaron Cook pitched effectively into the sixth inning and the Colorado Rockies beat Hamels and the Philadelphia Phillies 5-4 Thursday to even their NL playoff series at a game apiece.

Playoff Follies now playing for a limited run: blown calls, missed balls and pratfalls. Ron Gardenhire was still miffed about a fair ball ruled foul when the Minnesota manager was asked whether Major League Baseball should extend the use of instant replay.

Howard's homer gives Phillies early 2-0 lead over Dodgers in NLCS Game 4. Ryan Howard hit a two-run homer and tied Lou Gehrig's major league record of eight straight postseason games with at least one RBI, giving the Philadelphia Phillies a 2-0 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers after three innings Monday night in Game 4 of the NL championship series.

Hundred of Phillies fans turn out in downtown Philadelphia to celebrate return to World Series. Hundreds of Phillies fan streamed out of restaurants, bars and apartment buildings in downtown Philadelphia early Thursday to celebrate their team's second straight trip to the World Series, as revelers honked car horns and set off fireworks in other parts of the city.

Phillies beat Dodgers 10-4 to win NLCS; return to World Series to defend title. Ryan Howard and the defending champs are back in the World Series ? proving last year was no fluke and looking even more dangerous this time around.

Yankees can win AL pennant tonight vs. Angels and join Phillies in World Series. After an off day, the Yankees will try to close out the Angels with a Game 5 win in the American League Championship Series tonight at Angel Stadium. New York has a commanding 3-games-to-1 advantage following Tuesday night's 10-1 victory in Anaheim. The Yanks will send out A.J. Burnett against John Lackey. A Yankee victory would mean their 40th American League pennant.

Phillies return to World Series to defend title after taking NLCS with 10-4 win over Dodgers. Now the Philadelphia Phillies can say the word they've avoided using all year: Repeat.

It's on! New York-Philly throwdown doubleheader at center of rare sports convergence. The notion that you can't have too much of a good thing is about to get a major test.

Which team are you rooting for in the Series? In Jersey, it depends on what exit you're from. When the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees meet in the World Series on Wednesday, New Jersey will be a state of divided loyalties.

World Series ticket prices falling in NY, steady in Philly; rain forecast for NY opener blamed. A rainy forecast is causing online ticket prices to drop for the opening game of the World Series in New York.

Swept away: Despite tips from the undertaker, underdog Phils lost 1950 World Series to Yankees. The way Bobby Brown tells it, his New York Yankees were stacked with stars going into the 1950 World Series ? Yogi Berra, Phil Rizzuto, Whitey Ford and the great Joe DiMaggio.

Surprise, surprise: World Series tickets cheaper for NYC games than for games in Philly. Want to go to a World Series game? Try the Big Apple.

Odds have Yanks as favorite, but donÕt bet on a sweep this year against Phillies. The five most recent World Series have lasted only 22 games combined ? three sweeps and two that ended with Game 5.