The Dodgers worked the Phillies for five runs in their first ups — led by a two-out, three-run triple by Blake DeWitt — and won 7-2. The Dodgers also finally responded to the Phillies' aggressive inside pitching, which included Russell Martin getting hit by a pitch in the first inning tonight and dodging one under the chin in the next inning. In the third, Dodgers pitcher Hiroki Kuroda threw behind the head of Shane Victorino, who hit the ground and jumped up yelling. The jawing resumed after Victorino grounded out — prompting Manny Ramirez to run in from left field and the benches to clear. Martin got plunked again in the seventh inning, but there was no response. The Dodgers said before the game they had been talking about the Phillies' tactics.

"It's been talked about a lot over the last two days," Lowe said. "The bottom line is you can't allow them to dictate -- pretty much let them do whatever they want. You have to stand up for yourself."

In today's L.A. Times, columnist Bill Plaschke wrote of the Dodgers "somebody in that cheery, fraternity mixer of a home clubhouse needs to get mad. Somebody needs to pitch inside."

Confession: Though I had tickets for the game, I opted for the Kings' home owner at Staples Center. It's tradition, and I'll see the Dodgers tomorrow. Anyway, the Kings lost 1-0 to the San Jose Sharks, but all those hand-wringers (such as Plaschke) about the Dodgers playing too many "young" players in recent years should note this. The King with the most ice time tonight was an 18-year-old in his second professional game, Drew Doughty.

Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images at ESPN.com