NLCS: Philadelphia 2 - 3 San Francisco (San Francisco wins 4-2)

The Phillies, unlike the Yankees, went down fighting. After a pinch-hitter grounded out, Jimmy Rollins drew a walk. Rollins looked like he wanted to steal second, but he never got the chance because Placido Polanco hit into a fielder's choice. With the Phillies down to their last out, Chase Utley worked a walk to put men on first and second and bring up Ryan Howard, the Phillies' cleanup hitter -- who had no RBIs in the series.

(At this point, my son Michael pointed out that either the cleanup hitter would "clean up" or the Giants' closer would "close.")

Howard worked the count to 3-2, at which point I told Michael that Howard would have to swing at anything close to the plate. But Howard didn't listen to me. He took a low pitch, and the umpire called him out.

So the Giants have their fourth pennant since they came to San Francisco, and they will take on the Rangers -- the Rangers! -- in the World Series.