Rays rally is the real thing! And they're one game away from the BIG show!
Pennant within reach after Rays' rout
10/14/2008 11:10 PM ET
By Bill Chastain / MLB.com
BOSTON -- A nearly limitless supply of runs, a strong start and timely defense moved the Rays to the brink of the World Series with a 13-4 win over the Red Sox in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Tuesday night in front of 38,133 at Fenway Park.
The Rays won for the 10th time in their last 13 meetings with the Red Sox and they now hold a 3-1 series advantage heading into Wednesday's off-day. Since 1985, the ALCS has produced three four-game sweeps, but in the other 19 series, the winner of Game 4 has advanced to the World Series 14 times. The Rays could move on to the Fall Classic with a win in Game 5 on Thursday night at Fenway Park.
Carlos Pena started the Rays' offense with a two-run homer in the first off Boston starter Tim Wakefield. Evan Longoria followed with a solo home run to put the Rays up, 3-0.
Willy Aybar added a two-out, two-run homer in the third to push the Rays' lead to 5-0 and chase Wakefield.
Kevin Cash broke the ice for the Red Sox in the third inning with a solo home run off Rays starter Andy Sonnanstine in his first career postseason at-bat. The Red Sox added three more runs against the Rays right-hander, who allowed six hits in 7 1/3 innings to pick up the win.
The Rays' defense aided the right-hander's cause. After Longoria committed two errors on one play with one out in the second -- the Rays' first two errors of the postseason -- a nifty 4-6-3 double play erased the threat.
In the fifth, Mark Kotsay hit a drive to deep center field that appeared to be extra bases, but Upton seemed to find an extra gear and ran down the drive.
Meanwhile, the Rays' offense never seemed content with the number of runs it had on the scoreboard. Aybar singled home a run in the fifth and Pena, Longoria, Carl Crawford, Aybar and Dioner Navarro had RBIs in the sixth to put the game out of reach.
Crawford tripled in the eighth inning to drive in the Rays' 12th run to collect his fifth hit of the game, and Aybar followed with an RBI single to record his fifth RBI of the game to put the Rays up, 13-2.
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Hmm. That address doesnt look right. It looks like the link pointing here was faulty.
And Philly's right there too! They lead the NLCS 3-1 over LA. Could we see the 'Rays and Philadelphia go down to the wire? I sure hope so!
One for all, all for one: Phils get it done
10/14/2008 6:21 PM ET
By Mike Bauman
LOS ANGELES -- Jimmy Rollins is hitting .118 in the National League Championship Series. Ryan Howard is hitting .188. And yet, the Philadelphia Phillies, without much production from two of their main men, are on the verge of advancing to the World Series. What's going on here?
The simple answer is often the best one: The rest of the Phillies are pretty good, too.
With Rollins, the catalyst of the Phillies offense, and Howard, one of the best run-producers in baseball, both off their form, you might fairly expect that the 3-1 edge would belong to the Dodgers. But no, it's the Fightin' Phils who are on the doorstep of the NL pennant.
They are at this point because they are getting contributions from all over the roster. The Game 4 comeback was a classic example; a tying two-run homer from center fielder Shane Victorino, who now has 11 RBIs in the postseason, and then a winning two-run homer from Matt Stairs, in just his third at-bat of the postseason. Given the circumstances, the Phillies' depth is both admirable and necessary.
"Without a doubt that shows that we are a team and that we've got the guys that sit on our bench and we've also got the guys that play regular that don't get a lot of recognition, that also shows that they can play and they can deliver," said manager Charlie Manuel on Tuesday, before the Phillies' workout at Dodger Stadium.
"But also when we talk about team, that's what makes up our team. And that's why everybody, the 25-man roster, that's why everybody plays a role. It's very important that they do their role. And sometimes when a star player on a field, especially when it comes to offense, if he's not hitting the ball good, well, then, one of those guys picks him up. That's what makes the team go."
This is still an explosive lineup. Two home runs turned the tide in Game 1 of the NLCS. Two more home runs made the difference in Game 4. When Dodgers manager Joe Torre was asked on Tuesday what factors went into the Phillies' success in this Series, that power was one factor for Torre and the Phillies' bullpen was the other.
"Their bullpen has done a great job," Torre said. "Their bullpen has done a great job and we've done a good job with the middle of their lineup. But they live by the home run. Again, batting average doesn't mean anything if all of a sudden, bang, you have a two-run homer, bang, you have a two-run homer.
"We knew going in that they were an explosive ballclub and they could jump back into the game at any time. But I think overall that our pitching is handling a good part of what they do. But look back to Game 1, the two home runs, we lose the ballgame.
3-1 edge significant in NLCS
With the Phillies' victory in Game 4, an NLCS stands at 3-1 for the 12th time since it became a best-of-seven series in 1985. Nine of the previous 11 teams went on to win its NLCS, with only the 2003 Marlins and 1996 Braves rallying from the 3-1 deficit to win three straight and take the series.
Year
Team up 3-1
Opponent
Final
2005
Astros
Cardinals
4-2
2003
Cubs
Marlins
4-3
2002
Giants
Cardinals
4-1
2001
D-backs
Braves
4-1
2000
Mets
Cardinals
4-1
1999
Braves
Mets
4-2
1998
Padres
Braves
4-2
1996
Cardinals
Braves
4-3
1992
Braves
Pirates
4-3
1990
Reds
Pirates
4-2
1989
Giants
Cubs
4-1
NLCS winners in bold.
"[Game 4] was similar. So they're pretty much following what their personality is. But if you make a mistake with a lot of ballclubs, it's a single or a double. With this ballclub, it's a long ball."
The Phillies bullpen was the best in the NL by the numbers in the regular season. Nothing has changed here. Closer Brad Lidge continues to be spotless. After going 41-for-41 in regular-season save opportunities, he has gone 5-for-5 in the postseason and has saved every Philadelphia victory in the Championship Series.
But the cast between the starters has also been impressive, particularly the primary setup man, Ryan Madson. The Philadelphia bullpen has both quality and quantity, and it is one reason this club has a better postseason shot than last year's team. When Manuel was asked if the improved bullpen was the biggest difference from last year, he responded:
"I think basically it is, definitely our bullpen. And also, I think the second time around definitely has something to do with it. Each year is different, but I would say the big thing is our bullpen."
The other quality that sets this team apart is what makes them the Fightin' Phils. All three of their NLCS victories required them to come from behind. That's generally a very tough task in the postseason, but this club has made it a matter of routine.
You don't compile a record like that without character, both individual character, and collective character.
"I think from Day 1 we always talked about how we play 27 outs, "Victorino said. "With this team, it's the character, We pull for each other. Not every night is there going to be one guy carrying the team or a superstar. The team is full of them. You've got Chase [Utley], Ryan, you've got Jimmy. You've got guys that are MVPs, best at their positions. But it takes 25 guys collectively to win a ballgame.
"It's what it's all about. You play as a team and you go out there as a team and you win as a team."
This Phillies team, a true 25-man effort, has scrapped and clawed and fought, all the way through a division championship, a Division Series triumph, and now, three-fourths of the way through a Championship Series. They have earned their way here, and now they need to earn one more victory to become the Fightin' Phils in the World Series.
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Hmm. That address doesnt look right. It looks like the link pointing here was faulty.
Three games to one leads are much more meaningful with Mercury going direct. As I predicted, the world series will have a strange matchup. The Philles aren't really a surprise, but Tampa Bay...Vegas is going nuts. The last few years I've been in the Boston court but not this year. I like a good story and the Rays and Phillies in the WS sounds good. I have no reason in the world to root for either one other than I've taken a shine to Joe Maddon. Hopefully he thanks Lou Pinella for the nucleus development of this franchise. Tampa Bay and the Philles in the WS sounds good to me. Of course I'm rooting for Tampa Bay since I'm AL all the way.
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If you are in a horror movie, you make bad decisions, its what you do.
Trade that hat in Troll. Time ta support your homeys... Phillies of course. Ya gotta love 'em! After all they haven't been ta the BIG SHOW in fifteen years!
Phils reach first World Series since '93
10/15/2008 11:38 PM ET
By Ken Mandel / MLB.com
LOS ANGELES -- Using a perfect script without a surprise ending, the Phillies captured the National League pennant with a 5-1 win over the Dodgers on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium. With it comes their first trip to the World Series since 1993.
With the Phils never straying from their opportunistic best, Jimmy Rollins scorched a leadoff homer on the game's eighth pitch, much like he did in the Game 4 NLDS clincher against Milwaukee. With a lead and the ball in ace Cole Hamels' capable left hand, it seemed inevitable.
The Dodgers never had a chance.
The Phillies are in, and now await the winner of the American League Championship Series, where the Rays lead the Red Sox, 3-1.
Rollins' homer to right-center rattled Dodgers righty Chad Billingsley, and the 24-year-old unraveled in the third. Walks to Rollins and Chase Utley and two-out RBI singles by Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell pushed the lead to 3-0. Billingsley's final act was issuing an intentional walk to Shane Victorino.
Sloppy Dodgers defense, specifically three errors by shortstop Rafael Furcal, led to two unearned runs in the fifth.
While Hamels welcomed the support, he was at his dominating best, posting a 1.23 ERA in three postseason starts, and ending each of his final five innings with strikeouts.
The final one came on Hamels' 104th pitch, and caught Jeff Kent looking, preserving a four-run lead in the seventh. Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge handled the final six outs, setting off a celebration that had been coming for 15 years.
Rollins quelled 56,000 Dodgers fans and Hamels kept them quiet, save for a Manny Ramirez home run in the sixth and a blip of tension in his seventh and final inning.
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Hmm. That address doesnt look right. It looks like the link pointing here was faulty.
After 15 years of waiting for their hometown team to reclaim the National League pennant, fans went wild after the Phillies beat Los Angeles 5-1 in Game 5 Wednesday.
Shouts and screams of joy and support echoed throughout city bars and homes echoed throughout the city as the Phillies clenched their berth to the World Series.
At Chickie's and Pete's in South Philly, many happy fans were deep in celebration from the top of the 1st inning and long after the last out was made.
John Skipton held nothing back as he showed off his support for Shane Victorino by wearing a homemade flying Hawaiian outfit complete with hula skirt.
"You gotta feel it. It's going to be a good night, we're going to be partying all night in South Philadelphia baby," he said.
Some bar goers proved why Philadelphia is considered the City of Brotherly Love.
"I love you, I love him, I love her, I love everybody in here because tonight the Phillies are going back to the World Series," said a thrilled fan.
Mayor Michael Nutter even put plans to watch the last Presidential Debate on hold so he could revel with residents.
"I can see Barack Obama beating up on John McCain a little later on tonight," he said. "Philadelphia has the best fans in the country, if not the world."
Hundreds flooded the streets of Mayfair after the huge win, dancing on cars and waving their rally towels in the air.
The celebration is sure to continue as the Phillies take on either the Red Sox or the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the World Series on October 22.
Hundreds crowded into the streets of Mayfair after the Phillies secured their spot in the World Series on October 15.
Jimmy Rollins No. 11 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with teammate Jayson Werth No. 28 after hitting a leadoff home run in Game 5 of the NLCS on Oct. 15, 2008 in Los Angeles.
