Phils Quiet the Cowbells

Phils Win! Phils Win!

What a game indeed.  Chase Utleys bomb in the first inning proved to be the mighty blow that Tampa Bay just could not overcome and seemed to shut up those annoying ass cowbells for a minute.  Cole Hamels once again pitched a gem of a game and moves closer to making his mark on baseball postseason history.  Oh, he’s just now 4-0, with a 1.55 ERA, with 27 strikeouts in 29 innings. That makes him only the 10th starting pitcher in history to win four games in one postseason, joining: Josh Beckett, Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling, Jack Morris,  John Smoltz,  Orel Hershiser, Dave Stewart, David Wells and Burt Hooton.

Also, if Hamels gets another start in Game 5, he will have a chance to tie the all-time record for most wins in a single postseason, held by Randy Johnson (2001) and Francisco Rodriguez (2002). NOTE: all of K-Rod’s wins, and one of Johnson’s, came in relief. So Hamels is now in position to become the first starting pitcher ever to win five times in one postseason.

Carl Crawford and Akinori Iwamura were the only Rays that seemed to shake Cole as Crawford went deep on a breaking ball that hung out over the plate a little too long and Aki went 3 for 4 as well as driving in the Rays second run. The Phils had multiple opportunities to pad their lead but failed to do so, going 0-11 with runners on base and leaving nine men stranded.

Cole gave way to the best bullpen in the 8th.  Ryan Madson came in throwing straight HEAT for a perfect 8th leading the way for Mr. Perfect himself, Brad Lidge.  Lidge once again did his thang, throwing another perfect 9th while striking out two.

The Phils will try to make it two in a row at Trop tonight as Brett Myers pitches against James Shields in Game 2.

Manuel Yet to Name DH

The Philadelphia Phillies get to name a designated hitter for the first two games of the World Series, and manager Charlie Manuel is giving us the silent treatment.

The Phils appear to be leaning toward catcher Chris Coste and outfielder Matt Stairs as their DH choices for Games 1 and 2 respectively.

Manuel declined to reveal which hitters will get the nod at DH for Games 1 and 2 during a Tuesday press conference at Tropicana Field.

Red Sox Stay Alive

In an amazing 3 inning run, the Boston Red Sox went from seven outs away from elimination to forcing game 6 in Tampa Saturday night.  The Rays came out and jumped on Boston ace Daisuke Matsuzaka as BJ Upton continues his tear, belting a 2 run home run staking the Rays to the 1st inning lead.  The Rays home run derby they’ve put on throughout the series continued in the 3rd as Carlos Pena crushed one over the monster stretching the lead to 4-0.  In the 5th the long balls continued, this time Evan Longoria hit a solo blast, expanding the lead to 5-0.  In the top of the 7th Upton was once again did more damage with his bat doubling home a couple more runs, the lead was 7-0 and the Boston faithful were heading for home, thinking their season was over.

Then with 2 outs in the bottom of the 7th, Dustin Pedroia got a big 2 out single plating Jed Lowrie, setting the stage for Big Papi, who delivered a 3 run blast down the right field line closing the gap to 7-4, and the rally was on.  In the 8th 215 eternal villain, JD Drew pulled the Sawx closer with a 2 run homer and Coco Crisp finally completed the comeback, tying the game 7-7.  Then in the bottom of the 9th, JD Doosh hit a the game winning single scoring Kevin Youkilis from second, and the Red Soxs somehow forced a game 6 in Tropicana Field Saturday night.