Phillies Win Game 3 of World Series Against Rays
Moyer Pitches a Gem and Ruiz Hit Helps Phillies Take 2-1 Series Lead
Oct 26, 2008 Justin Harrington
Heading into the World Series, the Phillies had lost only two games. Both of those losses were charged to 45-year-old pitcher Jamie Moyer. So many wondered if Charlie Manuel should shake up his pitching rotation to avoid another disappointing start by Moyer. But Manuel kept it the way it was and Moyer made him proud with a strong appearance in Game 3. Just one month shy of his 46th birthday, Moyer dominated the young, upstart Tampa Bay Rays, giving his team more than six innings of solid pitching.
Philadelphia started early with their scoring. After Moyer quieted the Rays in the top-half of the first inning, the Phillies offense put the first two hitters on base and Chase Utley brought Jimmy Rollins home on a sacrifice ground out. The Rays drew even in the next inning when Carl Crawford led off with a double, stole third base, and then plated the tying run on a Gabe Gross fly-out to center field. But the Phillies snatched back the lead in the bottom of the second when Carlos Ruiz launched a solo home run to left field.
The next three innings were controlled by the pitching of Moyer and the 24-year-old Matt Garza as both teams failed to score until the bottom-half of the sixth. Utley led off the inning with a solo shot off Garza to right field that was followed by a blast from Ryan Howard to the same spot. It was Howard's first home run of the entire postseason and it drew a jubilant response from the 45,900 Citizens Bank Park fans. The score stood at 4-1 leading into the seventh.
Moyer got into a little trouble in the seventh. Carl Crawford led off the inning with a bunt that rolled down the line toward first base. Moyer made an outstanding play as he dived to scoop up the ball and tossed it from his glove to Howard. Crawford was called safe on the play but the replay showed that he was clearly out. Crawford later scored on a sacrifice fly-out that brought the Rays within two runs and ended Moyer's evening. As Moyer left the field he tipped his hat to the appreciative Phillies fans that treated him to a standing ovation. Moyer finished with 6 1/3 innings pitched, giving up five hits, three runs, and striking out five batters, before being replaced by relief pitcher Chad Durbin. After the seventh it was Philadelphia 4, Tampa Bay 3.
Ryan Madson started the pitching for the Phillies in the eighth. B.J. Upton singled to start the inning and didn't need any offensive assistance the rest of the way. He stole second base without any contest and then stole third, this time prompting a throw from Ruiz. But Ruiz's throw hit Upton and squirted into foul territory, giving Upton a free pass to home to tie the score. The Phillies tried to counter in the bottom of the eighth after Jayson Werth started the inning with a walk. Werth then stole second and put yet another Philadelphia base runner in scoring position. But he strayed too far from the base and was picked off by Rays pitcher J.P. Howell.
Philadelphia reliever J.C. Romero took care of Tampa Bay in the top of the ninth inning and set the table for the Phillies. Eric Bruntlett started the home-half of the ninth with a free pass to first after he was hit by a pitch from Howell. Eric Balfour replaced Howell and proceeded to toss a wild pitch while facing Shane Victorino. Bruntlett broke for second base as Navarro played the wild pitch hard off the back wall and threw a bullet to catch him. But the throw got away from shortstop Jason Bartlett and trickled into center field, allowing Bruntlett to advance easily to third base. The Rays then intentionally walked Victorino and pinch hitter Greg Dobbs to load the bases and create the force-out opportunity at home plate. Ruiz stepped to the plate next with the chance to erase the memory of his throwing error. On a 2-2 count from Balfour, Ruiz made contact with a fastball, sending it dribbling down the third base line and bringing a hustling Bruntlett toward home. Evan Longoria stretched out to get the ball and made a desperate throw to home that sailed over Navarro's head and secured a walk-off 5-4 win for the Phillies shortly before 2:00 am ET.
Game 4 is scheduled for tonight at 8 p.m. ET at Citizens Bank Park. Joe Blanton will make the start for the Phillies while Andy Sonnanstine will pitch for the Rays.
Phillies Notes:
- Game 3 of the 1993 World Series in Philadelphia also began with a rain delay. This year's Game 3 began at 10:06 ET, the latest start of any game in World Series history.
- Jamie Moyer had never thrown a World Series pitch in his 22-year career prior to Game 3. A Pennsylvania resident in his youth, he once skipped school to attend the Phillies 1980 World Series victory parade.
- The back-to-back homers by Utley and Howard in the sixth inning marked the 14th time that's been done in the World Series and the first time for the Phillies in their Fall Classic history.
- Ruiz's game-winning hit was the first-ever walk-off infield single in the history of the World Series.
- Rollins finished the game with two hits. They were the first two hits for Rollins in the World Series and he is now 2 for 14 overall in the Fall Classic.
- Moyer is still searching for his first World Series win as he received a no-decision for Game 3.
- The Phillies entered Game 3 hitting just 1 for 28 with runners in scoring position. In Game 3, they finished 1 for 5 in that category thanks to Ruiz's game-winning infield single.
Sources:
www.mlb.com
www.philadelphiaphillies.com
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