Phils One Win Away from World Series Victory
October 26, 2008 by Steve Quinto
Filed under Major League Baseball, Phillies
Joe Blanton pitched another excellent playoff game to help the Phils get within one win of their first Championship since 1993. A 10-2 vicotory in Game 4 give the Phils a commanding 3-1 lead in the best of 7 series. Besides 6 solid innings allowing 2 earned runs, he chipped in with a HR in the bottom of the 5th to give the Phils a 6-2 lead at the time.
The game started with another questionable umpiring call. With Jimmy Rollins on third and Chase Utley on 1st, Ryan Howard hit a ground ball back to Rays starting pitcher Andy Sonnanstine, who decided to try to get Rollins off of third (instead of throwing to second to get a double play with slow running Howard coming out of the batters box). Rollins was tagged out on his way back to third, but the umpire missed the call. Rays fans cannot argue here, as Carl Crawford should have been called out on a bunt play. That non- call lead to the Rays getting 2 runs.
But the offense finally woke up for the Phils, adding 4 HR’s and 10 runs (which add up to their approximate Games 1-3 totals). Jimmy Rollins is finally getting on base (and not trying to hit HRs with every pitch. Ryan Howard is starting to hit the ball the other way (and not try to pull everything). Jayson Werth added a 2 run HR. Key hits from those players shadowed struggles by Shane Victorino, Chase Utley and Pat Burrell (0-11).
Starting pitching has helped the Phils keep the bullpen rested, and this has allowed them to be successful. Ryan Madson struck out B.J. Upton with 2 runners on in the top of the 7th. Only up 6-2 at the time, a rally by the Rays could have changed the game.
For Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria to be 0 for 29 in the series is unthinkable. The FOX announcers clearly displayed the Phils approach to these hitters: pitch Pena high and keep it low on Longoria. Can it be this simple? It’ hard to imagine American League teams not picking up on this. The Phils have faced many good hitters in the playoffs who have not done well. The only standout is Manny Ramirez. The others do not have playoff experience and a history of performing under pressure, which may be the reason.
Cole Hamels and James Shields will go on Monday night in Philadelphia. The Phils would love to win it all at home and not go back to Tampa.
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Last post (s) by Steve Quinto
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October 26th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Great game tonight! I really hope Philly ends it tonight in Game 5.
For me, the difference from the Phillies and the Sox is the Phils ability to go for the kill. The put their foot on their throat when up 6-2 instead of letting them back in the game. They found out what it was like in Game 4 when the Rays came back from 4-1 down. The killer instinct in my mind tonight has sucked all life out of the Rays. End it tonight.
October 27th, 2008 at 3:57 am
What a effort all around from this team in game 4, from the Blanton home run to Howard finding his stroke it was really a wonderful game.
Now onto game 5, keep up the same kind of effort with the killer instinct and bring it home.
October 27th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
This has definitely been the best World Series most people are missing. But that being said I won’t believe these Rays are done until the Phillies get the 27 outs needed.
2-3-2 to me is an awful way to run a series. Philadelphia and the country as a whole do not want to hear any more cowbell. End the streak tonight or face pressure cookers in Tampa.