Tagged As: World Series, Sports, Phillies, Rays

Saturday: Phillies 5 – Rays 4

Saturday was a night of extremes. The game started at 10:06, the latest start time ever for a World Series game, and the Phillies sent Jamie Moyer to the mound, the second oldest player to ever start a World Series game at the age of 45. Moyer allowed three runs in 6 1/3 innings, but left with a no decision as the game took a couple of crazy turns.

B.J. Upton stole three bases and proved that sometimes speed alone can score runs, taking home after a throwing error allowed him to jog to the plate after stealing third base. In the end it was a lucky infield nubber to down the third base line that won the game, letting Eric Bruntlett score as Evan Longoria made a desperate attempt to bare hand the floundering hit and catch him at home.

Here is the lucky winning hit

Sunday: Phillies 10 – Rays 2

Sunday ended the steak of three close games. The Tampa Bay Rays has escaped three games without facing the true power of the Phillies lineup. This time, in game four, Philadelphia finally broke out of its funk and let loose on all freakin’ cylinders. Ryan Howard proved that he is the big, bad bat that terrorized the National League for the past three seasons, smashing two home runs and driving in five of Philadelphia’s 10 runs. Even Joe Blanton, the starting pitcher, hit one out (with the help of the same luck that won game three I’m sure).

World Series Tickets

Here is Balton’s solo shot, you open your eyes now Joe

The Tampa Bay Rays are now against the wall with a 3 games to 1 deficit and a surging Phillies team. If the Phillies can end this series on Wednesday in Tampa, then finally the beleaguered sports fans in Philadelphia can celebrate instead of throwing beer bottles and beating up Santa Claus. Cole Hamels takes the mound with confidence (he is 4-0 with a 1.55 ERA in the postseason) and Scott Kazmir is the great hope for the Rays (though he will have to pitch better than his 4.15 playoff ERA to do so).

Here is an ode to the painful existence of Philadelphia sports fanatics