Phillies take 2-1 lead over Cards at MBL series

Pinch-hitter Ben Francisco blasted a seventh-inning homer and closer Ryan Madson registered the final five outs as Philadelphia beat St. Louis 3-2 in game three of their playoff series. Francisco, batting for pitcher Cole Hamels, delivered with a three-run home run to bust open a scoreless game as the Phillies took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five National League series. Jimmy Rollins collected a pair of hits and second baseman Chase Utley made some superb defensive plays for the 2008 World Series champion Phillies. Madson earned a five-out save at Busch Stadium. He got the Cardinals to hit into a double play to escape in the eighth and gave up a run in the ninth before posting his first multi-inning save of the season. The Phillies, who won a franchise-record 102 games this year, can advance to the second round of the post-season with a win in game four on Wednesday as pitcher Roy Oswalt goes up against Cardinals ace Edwin Jackson.