PHILADELPHIA (AP) -Music blared in the Tampa Bay clubhouse, just like it always does after a Rays win.
The AL champions haven’t guaranteed the World Series will return to Tropicana Field, but they certainly got a reprieve by rallying from a two-run deficit to tie Game 5 at 2-2 before it was suspended Monday night.
Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria snapped 0-for-the World Series slides and drove in one run apiece against Phillies ace Cole Hamels, and the Rays overcame a shaky performance by left-hander Scott Kazmir to get back into the game.
The Philadelphia Phillies still lead the series three games to one, but the Rays feel they have the momentum.
“There was a tremendous exhale,” pitcher Trever Miller said of Pena’s sixth-inning single that allowed B.J. Upton to score the tying run from second base.
The game will be picked up with the Philadelphia batting in the bottom of sixth.
said. “That’s what fans pay to see. That’s what we work hard for all year. It would have been tough to go through a long offseason after losing the World Series under those circumstances.”
Although commissioner Bud Selig later said the Series would not be decided in a rain-shortened game, several Tampa players said it did cross their minds that the Phillies could be crowned champions without finishing the game.
“I know the commissioner has flexibility I believe under those circumstances. That was not my concern,” manager Joe Maddon said.
“My concern was just that we score a run or two. … We’re just trying to tie the game or get ahead. Whatever would have been decided post that, I have no control over that.”
Longoria, who had a RBI single in the fourth inning, described the conditions as “terrible.” Pena chose “horrible.” And Carl Crawford simply shook his head and replied “wild.”
“Windy, rainy, almost scary,” said Upton, who was worried about misplaying fly balls or having hits fall in the outfield and skip erratically to the wall. “That would have been a tough way to lose.”
Game 7 of the ALCS.
“We talked before the game and agreed we’ve just got to keep swinging and good things will happen,” Longoria said.
How bad were things going for Pena before that? He hit 46 homers in 2007 and 31 this season, yet found himself trying to bunt for a hit leading off the second against Hamels. He pushed the ball directly to first baseman Ryan Howard, who easily beat Pena to the bag.
Pena’s second hit drove in Upton, who reached on an infield single and stole second despite the muddy conditions and having to slide through a puddle to get to the bag. His biggest concern rounding third on Pena’s single was keeping his footing.
“Just stay of my feet,” Upton said. “That’s all I was thinking.”
Add A Comment