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5.5 and Still Alive: Rays-Phils WS Gamer V (Cont.)
When last we left the World Series, in the frigid rains of a Philadelphia night, the score was knotted at 2, the visiting American Leaguers having just finished their at bat in the top of the sixth. Play resumes this evening in the bottom of that inning, the homestanding Phillies at the plate. Cole Hamels, the starter for the Phils, is due to lead off, but it is safe to say he will be watching someone else take his swings from the comfort of the bench. Who will this mystery batter be facing? Grant Balfour was minding the dampened hill for the Rays when play was suspended. Will he be replaced by super-rook David Price? We shall see. Tampa has 9 outs to work with, more if it remains tied, and if they can't take a lead in that time, they and this series will be done. Contrary to some of the carping, and notwithstanding the low ratings, Part I of this game was a real humdinger of an affair, exciting and dramatic as only baseball in October can be. We hope Part II is just as swell, if dry. Comment away here, and enjoy the pregame.
missed the bottom of the 6th, but the phils put up 1. dire for the rays now.
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 08:58 PM
dioner a k to madson. 8 outs left.
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 08:59 PM
TIED!!!!!!
the woonsocket rocket!
Baldelli launches one to left! Inside fastball.
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Bartlett lashes one to left for a single.
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:01 PM
Howell stays in???
Gotta wonder about not ph'ing in this situation with Price in the pen.
Howell lays down the sac bunt, Bartlett to 2nd.
On comes JC Romero to face Iwamura.
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:03 PM
CRAZY!!!!!!
Iwamura grounds into the hole but Utley snares it, fakes the throw to first, and then goes home to get Bartlett who tried to take 2 bases even though the ball never got out of the infield. Awful play by Bartlett (was he faked? did he think the ball got thru?), and great by Utley and a nice tag by Ruiz on a slightly errant throw. WOW!
Tampa gives away 2 outs that inning and now down to 6.
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:09 PM
And i'll just note that this is yet more supergreat exciting baseball and WHERE IS EVERYONE????
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:10 PM
Replays show what a great play that was from Utley and Ruiz. Tough break for Bartlett, who was that close--||--to scoring.
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:11 PM
Decision to leave in Howell looking even worse as Burrell takes him off the cf wall to begin the bottom 7th. PR for Burrell. Bradford in for Howell to face Victorino.
Maddon really burned here by his bad decision.
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:13 PM
Victorino looks to bunt here, another dubious call but maybe less bad than the Howell sac.
Victorino fouls off his first try.
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:17 PM
now victorino whiffs on a bunt attempt to go 1-2.
that's one way to get out of it.
then he grounds out 4-3, so mission accomplished. blown chance.
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:19 PM
feliz singles up the middle for the rbi 4-3, and all across america, bloggers are wondering what the eff bradford is doing on the mound with david price, a starter, sitting out there on his thumbs in the pen.
maddon???
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:21 PM
the last inning has been a festival of questionable decision making. how'd these guys get here?!?
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:22 PM
HANG A STAR ON THAT ONE!!!
Iwamura brilliant diving play to his right for a 4-6 fc, and then another to end the inning. WOW.
6 outs for the rays, and they need 2.
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:23 PM
I thought I wouldn't get in to this, but how couldn't you?
Wow.
I love this game.
Posted by: LocklandSF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:26 PM
Finally.. get to watch some game.
Posted by: attackgerbil | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:27 PM
Rays best batters up here. Let's go!
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:28 PM
Crawford rips one up the middle. Gotta believe he's a threat to go.
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:29 PM
Oy. First pitch 643 dp.
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:29 PM
Crawford on with a single, but Upton grounds into the 643.
Posted by: attackgerbil | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:29 PM
I really want a game six. Pleasepleasepleaseplase.
Posted by: attackgerbil | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:30 PM
Pena a fly the opposite field. Down to 3 outs.
Double-play was a killer. Sort of ironic that Crawford never had the chance to run, when that's been their game all year.
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:33 PM
maybe, you know, price would have been right before they were LOSING!
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:37 PM
2 out bb to utley
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:42 PM
Okay, Price works out of it.
Longoria, Navarro, Baldelli, or bust for the Rays.
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:45 PM
Stupid Blackberry commercials not showing the stupid Blackberry I don't want.
Posted by: attackgerbil | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:47 PM
Lidge on.
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:48 PM
Here we go. Lidge Longoria.
Posted by: attackgerbil | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:48 PM
Evan's in trouble quick.
Posted by: attackgerbil | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:49 PM
Longoria:
heat 0-1
heat 0-2. big cut there
slider down and away 1-2 no chase
heat hi and tite 2-2
heat outside, fouled off 2-2
longoria lifts a flare to 2nd. 1 down way out front of that one.
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:50 PM
Navarro
slider/curve over the middle, 0-1
slider big cut right over it, 0-2
not looking good for dioner here
but he gets a slider right down the middle and pulls a broken bat single to right!
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:52 PM
Broken bat single by Navarro to right... looks eerily familiar. Why is that?
Posted by: attackgerbil | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:52 PM
Perez PRs. Baldelli up from the left side.
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:53 PM
Lidge gives up a broken-bat single to Navarro. Meltdown? Shades of 2005 ALCS?
Posted by: Atheose | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:53 PM
Tying run on 2nd. Ruh roh.
Posted by: Atheose | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:54 PM
PEREZ STEALS 2ND ON A SLIDER!!!
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:54 PM
Maddon is juggling.
Posted by: attackgerbil | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:55 PM
Excuse me, btw, that's Ben Zobrist hitting for Baldelli.
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:55 PM
Two down, our old boy Hinske batting.
Part of me wants Hinske to come through here--I always liked him. Plus, if they tie it here then we could see some walk-off magic.
Posted by: Atheose | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:56 PM
And he drills one to Werth in left!
So close!
1 out to go and the tying run in scoring position.
Hinske bats for Bartlett.
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:56 PM
So close indeed.. just a few feet left or right.. that was ripped.
Posted by: attackgerbil | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:57 PM
Hinske first pitch fouls one wide of first.
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:57 PM
HINSKE!
Posted by: jmSF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:58 PM
Called strike on Hinske on the check swing.
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:58 PM
Allow me to be the first: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAW-zGeffAo
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:58 PM
Oh well.
Posted by: attackgerbil | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:58 PM
Suck it, Tampa!
Congrats to the Phillies.
Posted by: Atheose | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:58 PM
WHIFFS ON THE SLIDER
PHILS WIN THE SERIES!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:58 PM
oh well.
Posted by: jmSF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:59 PM
Now what am I gonna do?
Posted by: attackgerbil | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 09:59 PM
The Sox reign is over. Congratulations Philadelphia, 2008 World Champs.
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Congrats to Lidge, especially after the 2005 postseason pretty much destroyed his confidence. What a great season for him.
Posted by: Atheose | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 10:02 PM
In the spirit of Dan "More Days in First Place" Duquette, I also wish to point out that the Red Sox (6-5, .545) had a better post-season winning percentage than the Rays (8-8, .500).
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 10:03 PM
"The Sox reign is over."
Where the hell you been, YF? That happened a week ago.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Let the hot stove season begin.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 10:05 PM
Technically no Bill--we were still the reigning World Champions until about 5 minutes ago.
Great note about the Sox winning percentage. That actually takes a little bit of the sting away. Enjoy the long off-season, Rays.
Posted by: Atheose | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 10:08 PM
Congrats to the City of Brotherly Love.
I already miss baseball.
Posted by: LocklandSF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Okay, it's officially the off-season. Let's get this over with.
*Deep breath*
AL MVP: Pedroia
NL MVP: Pujols
AL CY: Lee
NL CY: Lincecum
I will understand if Pedroia doesn't get the MVP, but the other three should be locks. If Lincecum doesn't win the Cy Young it's a f*cking travesty.
Posted by: Atheose | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 10:11 PM
Bud booed boisterously by Philly phans.
Posted by: attackgerbil | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Oh, OK, ath and YF. I was thinking that we were the DEFENDING champs until we lost. (Sorry about the "we.")
And the winning percentage thing was meant tongue in cheek.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Now they are booing the Rays for no good reason.
Posted by: attackgerbil | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Wow, booing Bud. God bless Philadelphia!
Posted by: LocklandSF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 10:13 PM
Cole Hamels gets the MVP. That kid is going to be good for a LONG time.
Posted by: Atheose | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 10:15 PM
congrats phillies and fans, if any of you happen to stumble onto a sox/yanks site...anyway, rest in peace to another myth:
the supposedly inferior national league wins one, without home field advantage, thanks to bpud's all star genius...
or, they got hot at the right time and won the tournament...either way, the national league has bragging rites...we'll get 'em at the game that really counts...go AL all stars...
Posted by: dc | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 10:15 PM
Booing him again?
Posted by: LocklandSF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Hamels is WS MVP.
Posted by: attackgerbil | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 10:16 PM
rites=rights
sheesh
Posted by: dc | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 10:17 PM
imagine how philly fans would have booed bpud if the philly's had LOST thanks to his changing the rules about suspended/cancelled games on the fly, and apparently not telling anyone...yowza
Posted by: dc | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 10:19 PM
In his defense DC, Bud did say before the series that there was no chance a World Series would be decided by weather.
I hate you for making me defend that guy! :-)
Posted by: LocklandSF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 10:22 PM
I'm still booing Bud.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Those crazy Philly fans. Bud's lucky the Phanatic didn't pee on his leg.
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 10:44 PM
i heard something about that lockland, but i can't imagine that making a difference to phillies fans...and i hate you for defending him ;)
thanks yf, i just spit a mouthful of wine all over my keyboard and monitor...
Posted by: dc | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 10:55 PM
I'm here for your amusement, dc, just don't send a repair bill.
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 11:02 PM
159 days until Opening Day
Posted by: rootbeerfloat | Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 11:33 PM
Soooo ... we doing this on election night?
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Thursday, October 30, 2008 at 12:18 AM
I have to actually cover Election Night, so I won't be on the interwebs, but I can't imagine we wouldn't have a thread up. Why not, right?
Posted by: Paul SF | Thursday, October 30, 2008 at 01:17 AM
Great third of a game!
Posted by: Devine | Thursday, October 30, 2008 at 02:09 AM
what does this 3.5 inning "game" do to madden's 9=8 math?
3.5=0
?
Posted by: dc | Thursday, October 30, 2008 at 08:36 AM
technically, i guess it was 9=3=0
does it matter?
Posted by: dc | Thursday, October 30, 2008 at 08:45 AM