***
Eric Hinske, the former Red Sox, (Sock?) and Blue Jay is the only thing standing between the Phils and that trophy with flag poles on it.
0-2 to Hinske.
World Series out count: .1
Strike three! Ruiz rips off his mask, then runs to Lidge, embracing him. Rollins feels like $1 million bucks. Holy crap! Utley smiled.
Phils win their first World Series title since 1980. Hazleton sucks, sorry Joe Maddon.
Final score:
Phillies 4, Rays 3
Phillies win series 4-1
***
Top 9
Dang, man. Brad Lidge is 47-for-47 in save opportunities. If I was a betting man, I'd say the Phils have this in the bag.
Evan Longoria is a heckuva player. But he bloops out to Utley.
World Series out countdown: 2
Here's that Navarro guy, quickly falling behind 0-2. Single by Dioner.
The Rays hopes lie with a guy named Ben Zobrist. Yeah, the ump might as well click his out tally to two right now.
The pinch runner Perez steals second. Now, Zobrist can tie the game with a hit. Because Perez clearly has speed. Zobrist lines out.
World Series out countdown: 1
***
The Chase is on the move, stealing second. Howard whiffs.
Told you so.
End 8
Phillies 4, Rays 3
***
Willy Ayber in at first base. David Price, basically the of-age version of Danny Almonte is on the hill.
If I'm the Phillies hitters, I make this half inning go fast. Rollins agrees, and flies out to deep left. Jayson Werth was worthless there, striking out. Now FOX is showing landmarks in Philadelphia, like William Penn and Ben Franklin statues. David Price kind of resembles John Legend. No, no he doesn't. He does resemble someone who has no control, though walking Chase Utley.
Ryan Howard up next. Ten bucks says he strikes out to end the inning.
***
I don't believe in superstitions, so what the heck. The Phils are six outs away from a World Series title. Crawford is wearing some kind of fabric around his head so only his face is showing. Good thing he can see because it's now a full count. Towels are being waved and Crawford hates wavin' towels, so he gets a hit.
Double play, and the championship out count drops to 4.
Carlos Pena flies out. 3 outs away.
End 8
Phillies 4, Rays 3
***
Dobbs is on deck. He rocks. Ruiz laces one up the midde, but Iwamura makes like a cat and flips it to second for the second out.
Well, Romero is batting, not Dobbs. Surprisingly, one pitch later the inning ends.
Cue Rocky music
End 7
Phillies 4, Rays 3
***
Pinch runner for Burrell. Chad Bradford is the pitcher. He basically touches the dirt before he delivers the ball. The flyin' Hawaiian is looking to drive in the go-ahead run. He misses two bunts, then does his job and grounds out. Does his job, you ask? Yes, for Bruntlett is on third with one out. It's called baseball, people.
Pedro Feliz (Navidad) singles up the middle, scoring Bruntlett easily. 4-3 Phillies, and we're getting Ruiz up next.
***
Man, that Mastercard commercial with Joe Torre makes me wish I've been out West just once. The farthest west I've traveled is Ohio. Now back the action, and Pat "the Bat" Burrell takes some practice swings. Burrell hit it high off the wall for a double. Any other player would've been at third. But Burrell watches that baby almost clear the fence. I would've done the same Pat. If I'm inches from hitting a go-ahead dinger in the World Series, I freakin' watch that thing the whole time.
More commercials because of a pitching change.
***
Madson reverts back to his former self. He used to stink, sometimes. A base hit by Jason Bartlett puts the go-ahead run on base. Howell hits the ball like a girl and moves Bartlett to second.
Chase Utley, wow. Fields what would've been a seeing eye single and then looks off first, fires to Ruiz who makes the tag on Bartlett. Inning over.
Middle of the 7th
Phillies 3, Rays 3
***
Top 7
Dioner Navarro is up first. His name backwards is Renoid. The pride of Vanderbilt this side of Buster Olney is warming up in the bullpen. David Price, former top pick is loosening up. Hide the children.
Rocco Baldelli encourages expletives by the Phillie fans in Pickles right about now. Solo dinger to knot the score at 3.
***
If I have to see Chevy Chase's shirtless body one more time, I'm never watching Christmas Vacation ever again. Now pitching for the Rays, number 39, J. P. Howell. (No relation to Charles Howell III). Chase Utley holds the stick you hit the ball with now, calls time for ladies to gander at his appearance, then steps back in the dish. Utley chases for out number two.
Werth not so sneakily stole second. Eh, whatever. Ryan "Ryno" Howard bloops out. Inning over.
End of sixth
Phillies 3, Rays 2
***
Balfour is throwing 54 mph faster than the temperature. That's heat, baby. Jenkins has never faced Balfour. He is now 1-1 with a double. Sly small ball by Rollins, sacrificing Jenkins to third. Phils might have the mentality that going ahead early will put the pressure on Tampa. Jenkins giddy-ups across the home plate as Tampa's Akinori Iwamura botches an over the head blooper. 3-2 Phils, Balfour heads for the dugout.
***
And the Rays take the field. Balfour (Number 50) is going sleeveless. What a man. Geoff Jenkins will pinch hit. I really don't like Geoffs who spell their name G-e-o-f-f, it looks dumb. Jeez, Balfour hasn't thrown a pinch and there's activity in the Ray's bullpen. This guy must be on a short leash.
***
43 degrees for tonight's game ... that's cold. Phils will need to pinch hit for Cole Hamels. My money's on Greg Dobbs.
***
I'm Nate Mink, and it's baseball time, baby. That elusive game 5 will be completed tonight ... we think. Let's recap for those of you who might've forgot. Score's tied 2-2 going into the bottom of the sixth inning. Ryan "Mad dog" Madson will take the hill for the Phils in the seventh. Rumor has it Grant Balfour will continue pitching for the Rays until manager Joe Maddon decides to go with someone else. About 15 minutes til the "first pitch."
