Phillies Take NLCS, Head To World Series

LOS ANGELES -- Jimmy Rollins got the Phillies rolling with a leadoff homer and they kept right on going. Next stop, the World Series.

Rollins homered in the first inning, Cole Hamels pitched his third gem of the playoffs and Philadelphia beat the bumbling Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 Wednesday night to win the NL championship series 4-1 for its first pennant since 1993.

The NL East champions -- the losingest team in pro sports history -- took advantage of three errors by shortstop Rafael Furcal in the fifth inning and shrugged off another home run by Manny Ramirez.

Now, the Phillies go for their second World Series title beginning next Wednesday night at Tampa Bay or Boston. The Rays lead the Red Sox 3-1 in the ALCS, which resumes Thursday night at Fenway Park.

It is the Phillies' first World Series in 15 years.