Rays Tie Series at One

Last night, in Tampa-St. Petersburg, the Rays upended the Philadelphia Phillies, 4-2.

The Rays scored four runs in the first four innings to earn the victory, as they scored in two runs in the first inning off groundouts by Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria; thereafter, in the second inning, B.J. Upton plated Dioner Navarro with a bases-loaded single and they tacked another run in the fourth due to a Jason Bartlett groundout.

Philadelphia got on the board after little used Eric Bruntlett homered in the eighth, and scored again in the ninth as Jason Werth scored off a Longoria; however, the game was all Tampa's.

James "Big Game (sorry, Tampa fans I strongly disagree with this)" Shields lived up to his moniker as he went 5 2/3 innings and gave up zero runs for the win. The Tampa bullpen held on, and David Price kept things in order by pitching the last 2 1/3 innings although he gave up two runs -- only one earned.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia's Brett Myers went seven strong innings to get the victory; however, he got saddled with the loss as gave up four runs -- three earned -- on seven hits.

When all was said and done after Game Two, the Phillies should be down 2-0, rather than have a tie. Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard have not much, and they seem to always be waiting for the big hit rather than manufacturing runs. They strikeout too much, and can't seem to do the little things right -- the exact opposite of what Tampa did in game two.

If the Phillies can't get their act together -- unless Cole Hamels in on the mound -- I don't see where they will win the Series.