MLB: Philadelphia 8, LA Dodgers 6

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Carlos Ruiz and Raul Ibanez hit three-run homers Thursday to power Philadelphia past the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-6 in Game 1 of the NL Championship Series.

The blast by Ruiz was the key blow in a five-run fifth inning and Ibanez hit his shot in the eighth to give the defending World Series champion Phillies an 8-4 lead.

Los Angeles closed within 8-6 in the bottom of the eighth and Manny Ramirez came to the plate with two on and two out. Ramirez, who hit a two-run homer in the fifth to temporarily bring the Dodgers within one, grounded out to third to end the Los Angeles threat.

Struggling Philadelphia closer Brad Lidge came on in the ninth and, with the help of a double play, earned his third save in this year's playoffs.

The Dodgers took the lead on a solo homer by James Loney in the second, but Los Angeles rookie starter Clayton Kershaw struggled in the fifth after giving up only one hit to that point.

Ibanez singled to open the fifth, Pedro Feliz walked and Ruiz followed with his second career post-season homer. Ryan Howard added a two-run double later in the inning.

The homer by Ibanez came after Howard and Jayson Werth had walked to open the eighth against George Sherrill.

Cole Hamels got the win by working the first 5 1/3 innings, giving up four runs on eight hits. Los Angeles outhit the Phillies 14-8.

Los Angeles will host Game 2 of the best-of-seven series Friday.