Fastball not enough for Reds phenom

Here are the last words from the Phillies' clubhouse late Friday after their 7-4 win over Cincinnati in Game 2 of the National League division series.

The Phillies' first encounter with hard-throwing Cuban lefthander Aroldis Chapman turned into an adventure - or, to be more precise, a series of misadventures for the Cincinnati Reds.

Thanks to a hit batter, a fielder's choice that did not account for an out and two errors that led to two runs on the same play, the Phillies scored three times to turn a 4-3 deficit into a 6-4 lead against Chapman in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Chapman's one shining moment came against Phillies slugger Ryan Howard. Chapman threw Howard three fastballs - the first was 100 m.p.h., the second 99 and the third 100. Howard swung at all three and foul-tipped the final one, which was caught for a strikeout.

"I'm not going to lie, I was amped up," Howard said. "He got me out and he did his job. I think it's one of those things - you get to see a guy a couple of times, and you kind of go from there. The first time you see him, you're trying to get a gauge."

Two batters after rightfielder Jay Bruce botched a Jimmy Rollins line drive that led to two unearned runs off Chapman, Raul Ibanez became the first Phillies hitter to get a hit off the lefthander. Two batters after that, pinch-hitter Mike Sweeney singled off Chapman for his first career postseason hit.

Sweeney credited Howard's scouting report, but only after Howard walked by him in the clubhouse.

"Yeah, Howie did give me a great scouting report," Sweeney said.

What was it?

"He said he was throwing 100 and to be ready for the heater," Sweeney said.

The 2-0 fastball Sweeney hit for a single was only 98 m.p.h.

The bullpen quintet of J.C. Romero, Chad Durbin, Jose Contreras, Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge combined to pitch four shutout innings in relief of Roy Oswalt. They allowed just one hit and two walks.

"Every time we hear outside of this clubhouse that there is a question mark with this bullpen, that's what really gets us going," Romero said. "We knew we'd have to do our job in order for this team to win. We can pitch with those starting three, but if the bullpen doesn't get the job done - you know, you lose and win championships with the bullpen."