The Philadelphia Phillies won their first playoff game in 15 years on Wednesday, defeating Yovani Gallardo and the Milwaukee Brewers 3-1.

Phils’ ace Cole Hamels was significantly more prepared for this Game 1 outing than he was last year against the Colorado Rockies.

“Because of last year, I learned what it really takes in trying to be – kind of mellow out, not have the sort of excitement where you can’t really control everything,” Hamels said. “Just going out there and relaxing and just being able to pitch and throw strikes.”

It just goes to show you, experience really does matter in the playoffs. Hamels threw eight shutout innings against the Brewers, striking out nine and allowing just two hits.

The Phillies scored their three runs in the third inning, all stemming from a defensive miscue by Milwaukee veteran outfielder Mike Cameron. With two men on, Chase Utley ripped a ball into center that just slipped out of Cameron’s glove. Gallardo would go on to load the bases and then walk Shane Victorino, making the game 3-0.

The Brewers scored their only run of the game in the ninth inning as still perfect closer Brad Lidge tried to do his best Mitch Williams impression, an ode to the Wild Thing who was among several former players to throw out the honorary first pitch of the game. Just for fun, Williams threw the ball to the backstop, and so did Lidge.

After Ryan Braun doubled in pinch hitter Ray Durham on an error by Chase Utley and a strikeout by Prince Fielder, a wild Lidge walked J.J. Hardy. With runners on first and second, Lidge threw a wild pitch that got away from catcher Carlos Ruiz, advancing both runners into scoring position. Lidge then came back and struck out Corey Hart swinging, allowing the 45,000 plus fans to breath a collective sigh of relief.

Lidge has made it interesting the past month or two, but has gotten the job done every single time out, which is all you can ask for.

“I can’t let him get a hit there,” said Lidge, who was 41-for-41 in save chances this season. “I’ve always been a strikeout pitcher and that’s what I wanted to do.”

The Phillies send Brett Myers to the mound on Thursday to face off against CC Sabathia, the best pitcher in the majors right now.

Sabathia is tough enough to beat as it is, but if the Phillies have any hope of beating him, they are going to have to get some more hits. They managed just four hits on Tuesday, and would not have scored any of their runs if it wasn’t for the error on Cameron. But the Phillies did exactly what good teams do, and that was take advantage of the other teams mistakes.

Lets see if they can keep it going in Game 2.