Your World Series Champs -- The Phillies

After all the rain, wind, cold and debate over Bud Selig’s decision to suspend Game Five of the World Series, action resumed a little after 8:30 tonight.

Folks, America has finally crowned a World Series Champion – the Philadelphia Phillies – as they beat the Tampa Bay Rays, 4-3.

Tampa was upended by a Phillies team that hustled its way to a win.

The shaky Rays’ bullpen once again came unglued as J.P. Howell served a double to Pat Burrell with the score tied at three; thus, after he was taken out of the game for a pinch runner – Eric Bruntlett – Pedro Feliz plated him and the Phillies took a 4-3 lead.

And then the amazing Brad Lidge came into the game, and it was all said and done. The Rays got on base in the ninth as Dioner Novarro reached on a single and Fernando Perez ran for him and stole second; however, pinch hitter Eric Hinske struck out to end it all.

Needless to say, Lidge has finished the season perfect in save opportunities -- in both the regular season and playoffs -- thus, he's left the vestige of a sad ending to 2006 behind.

The Rays looked awful – I mean awful – when the game resumed. Geoff Jenkins started off the frame with a double off reliever Grant Balfour, and then he scored when Jayson Werth’s bloop single which careened off Akinori Iwamura’s glove to give them a 3-2 lead.

As soon as the Phillies took the lead – the game was suddenly tied at three in the next frame. Rocco Baldelli sent the ball over the left field off a pitch from Ryan Madson to make things interesting, but Tampa would end the inning not doing much.

The city of Philadelphia has a championship finally to savor, and I’m sure it will be a wild time up there the next couple of days.

You have the give all the credit in the world to the Rays – sort of the little, small market engine that could – however, they were completely over matched, and shut down. They will be a force to be reckoned with, and seeing them in the AL East 18 times a year, I know I'll be looking forward to seeing them, but also scared to face their lineup and great arms.

Tampa has a bright of future under the tutelage of Joe Maddon and after finishing above the Yankees, deposing the White Sox and Red Sox in the playoffs, I though they could it.

However, it is the Phillies time now.

It's crazy to think that Philadelphia has only won two titles in 126 years; however, enjoy the win, savor it, remember this season, and be safe.

Then again, after the booing of Bud Selig, the Rays, and anything else not being invoked with the Phillies...

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Game Five Suspened; World Series Reflections...

It was wet and wild in Philadelphia last night, almost to the point it was beyond ridiculous as to why Major League Baseball allowed Game Five of the World Series to be played.

After both teams played for quite a while in whipping wind and a downpour, the brass in Major League Baseball finally got to their senses and stopped the game in the sixth inning with both Philadelphia and Tampa tied at two.

There was a strong prospect that the World Series could have ended last night when the heavy rains came down; however, in the sixth inning, B.J. Upton -- who beat out an infield single to get on base -- stole second and was plated by a Carlos Pena base hit to tie the game.

It looked like Philadelphia would meet up with destiny as they scored twice in the first inning via a single by Shane Victorino that plated both Chase Utley and Jayson Werth; however, Tampa pitching shut down the Phillies and got out of quite a few jams.

Tampa's first run came off an Evan Longoria single that plated Carlos Pena.

Hamels was good -- but not dominant -- thus, you have to wonder if the weather and he getting hit on the hand off a foul tip hindered him in any way. Kazmir started off the game rocky, but settled into his own, and the Rays bullpen got him out trouble in the sixth inning.

Speaking of Longoria -- it's nice that he and Carlos Pena finally broke out of a depressing slump to bring some life back into the Rays. Simply put, if they had continued their drought into Monday night, the trophy would have been driving down Broad Street sooner rather than later.

In the end, the game got suspended -- for the first time ever in Series history. I don't think the game would have been called if the Phillies had the lead, simply because this is the 'World Series' and not any other game. An event of this magnitude should allow both teams every opportunity to play each and every out -- not matter how long it takes.

We will see if both teams can play tonight; however, according to the weather reports, it does not look promising as well.

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Phillies Make The Rays Uncomfortable, Take 2-1 Lead in World Series

It looks like no one in America is really watching this World Series; however, if you're missing it – you're missing some interesting baseball. The Phillies are now up 2-1 in the 2008 World Series as they beat the Rays, 5-4, thanks to a weak infield single – a dribbler along third bases – with the bases loaded by Carlos Ruiz that plated Eric Bruntlett.

The frame started as J.P. Howell hit Bruntlett, and then he was relieved of by Grant Balfour. Only a minute later, Balfour would throw a wild pitch and Bruntlett advanced to second. After two intentional walks to both Shane Victorino and Greg Dobbs, the game would end a few minutes later.

With the score tied at four, Evan Longoria tried in vain to scoop the ball and throw it home; but the ball sailed over Dioner Navarro's head and Bruntlett tapped home plate.

The matchup on Saturday featured the sometimes overly emotional 24-year old Matt Garza versus Jamie Moyer, who should at 45 years old be considered a living legend. The matchup did not look good on paper – in fact, I thought the Rays would take advantage of Moyer – however, the elder fellow showed why he was 16-7 and still effective in the big leagues.

If you counter Moyer with Matt Garza, who looked fidgety and never comfortable on the mound on Saturday – it's even more remarkable what he did. He went 6 1/3 innings and gave up five runs on three hits; meanwhile, Garza went six innings and gave up four runs – three of them solo home runs to Carlos Ruiz (second inning), Chase Utley (sixth), Ryan Howard (sixth) – but, J.P. Howell took the loss as he and the Rays just fell apart in the ninth inning.

Philadelphia took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning as Chase Utley plated Jimmy Rollins with a groundout; thereafter, in the next frame, Carl Crawford -- who'd gotten on base via a double, and then stole third – scored off a Gabe Gross sacrifice fly to tie things at one.

The Phillies took a 4-1 lead into the seventh inning, but the train came off the tracks thanks to bizzare a play – a missed call – that open things ups for Tampa. Carl Crawford reached a on a bunt single; however, it looked like he was out as Jamie Moyer mad an acrobatic throw from the dirt and it seemed the Ryan Howard caught the ball – with his bare hand! – before Crawford hit the bag, but umpire Tom Hallion called him safe.

The next batter, Dioner Navarro doubled; thereafter, Gross would plate Crawford with a groundout and then Navarro would be plated by Jason Bartlett.

Tampa tied the game at four in the eighth inning thanks to some aggressive base running by B.J. Upton. The Tampa center fielder reached on a infield single, and then promptly stole second and third. Upon stealing third, the ball thrown by the Phillies' Ruiz hit Upton in the back, and careened away from third base allowing him to score.

Last night's game showed why Tampa may lose – as it is not for a lack of talent – but because of their inexperience. Like I said prior, Garza looked uncomfortable and at times the team looked real shaky in the field.

Philadelphia has not been good, but lucky and if Tampa keeps giving them opportunities like they had in game three, they will win the World Series.

One more thing, boy did the Philadelphia fans go out of their way to make the Rays uncomfortable – from the silly song that they had the Tampa team run out in the pre-game celebrations to the fans calling Evan Longoria “Eva” – last night America got to see why they are the most infamous, crude, but passionate fans anywhere.

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.

Phils Take World Series, Game One

Last night, the Fall Classic commenced in Tampa-St. Petersburg, and the Fighting Phils thanks to the golden arm of Cole Hamels and Chase Utley's two-run homer in the first inning lead them to victory, 3-2.

After a week off, the Phillies sure were not rusty; while the Rays seemed to be pressing.

Hamels went seven strong innings, and gave up two runs on five hits to earn his fourth win of the postseason. The kid is a master, with the ability to mix-up his fastball and breaking stuff to get guys out. Brad Lidge got the save -- the 47th in 47 chances including the postseason -- that helped Philadelphia hold on to their narrow margin of victory.

The Rays were able to get two runs off of Hamels courtesy of a Carl Crawford solo homer run in the 4th inning, and a Akinori Iwamura that plated Jason Bartlett in the fifth.


Carlos Ruiz's groundout to score Shane Victorino made the difference for Philadelphia.

Kazmir, was good, but not great and took the loss despite what he did in game five of the ALCS. He went six innings and gave up three runs.

It was nice to see Tropicana filled with fans -- Rays fans -- and you've got to think despite the loss, they still have the significant advantage at home.

As for the cowbell -- not a fan of it. Just scream and shot, but please no cowbell.

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