Philadelphia Phillies stunned by Cardinals 3 years ago today

Apr 3, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay (34) reacts in the dugout after leaving the game against the Atlanta Braves during the fourth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps the most promising of years in the history of the Philadelphia Phillies came to a stunning halt three years ago on October 7th.

The 2011 National League Division Series ended as the St. Louis Cardinals edged Philadelphia 1-0 in a pitcher’s duel between friends Roy Halladay and Chris Carpenter.

As both pitchers were locked in, the only real sign of give came in the first inning when Halladay allowed a triple to Rafael Furcal followed by a Skip Schumaker double for the game’s only run.

The two teams combined for only nine hits, Carpenter giving up three in a complete-game shutout.

Halladay, who highlighted baseball’s best starting rotation in 2011, struck out seven Cardinals over eight innings.

Former member of the Philadelphia Phillies, Shane Victorino, had two of the team’s hits against Carpenter with Chase Utley having the other.

Carpenter ended up calling the NLCS clincher “some kind of fun” and praised Halladay as “the best pitcher in the game” at the time.

Also on October 7th in Philadelphia Phillies history, the club defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-3 in game three of the 1983 NLCS.

The Phillies and Dodgers also did battle in the 1978 NLCS as Los Angeles took game four of that series in ten innings on this date.

The previous year of 1977 also included an NLCS clash between the two teams when the Dodgers topped the Phillies with three runs in the ninth inning to take game three 6-5.

On October 7th, 1969 the Phillies traded Dick Allen to the Cardinals in exchange for Curt Flood, but Allen refused to report.