INQUIRER Sports

LOS ANGELES ? JA Happ issued a bases-loaded walk to Andre Ethier as the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied with two runs in the eighth for a 2-1 victory over Philadelphia Friday in baseball's National League Championship Series.

With the victory the Dodgers evened the best-of-seven series with the reigning World Series champions at one game apiece.

Philadelphia pitcher Pedro Martinez, making his first playoff start since 2004, stifled the Dodgers for seven scoreless innings, allowing only two hits.

He threw 87 pitches and didn't walk a batter, but Phillies manager Charlie Manuel chose to pinch hit for him with one out and Philadelphia leading 1-0.

Philadelphia's bullpen couldn't hang onto the lead.

Los Angeles trailed 1-0 when Casey Blake opened the eighth with a single off the outstretched glove of third baseman Pedro Feliz.

Ronnie Belliard's bunt single got past losing pitcher Chan Ho Park and first baseman Ryan Howard.

Russell Martin followed with a grounder to Feliz, who made a good throw to second baseman Chase Utley. But Utley threw away the relay, an error that allowed pinch-runner Juan Pierre to score the tying run from the second.

Pinch-hitter Jim Thome singled off Scott Eyre, then Rafael Furcal drew a walk from Ryan Madson that loaded the bases.

Happ struck out Matt Kemp, but the rookie then walked Ethier.

Philadelphia's Howard had homered off Vicente Padilla for the game's only run until the eighth.

The series shifts to Philadelphia for game three on Sunday.