World Series: Phillies Escape With Victory in Game One

PHILLIES LEAD SERIES 1-0

It doesn't matter how it gets done, as long as it gets done.

That statement could not be any more true when it comes to the World Series. Last night the Phillies jumped a number of hurdles in the form of stranded runners and a first baseman named Ryan Howard to take game one of the World Series from the Tampa Bay Rays, winning 3-2.


Getting things started early for the Phillies was Chase Utley, as he belted a two-run home run in the first inning after Jayson Werth had walked. The leade was extended to 3-0 in the fourth as Shane Victorino crossed home plate on an RBI groundout by Carlos Ruiz.

This would be all the run support that Cole Hamels needed.

The Rays would score a run in the bottom of the fourth inning when Carl Crawford smacked a home run off of Hamels. In the bottom of the fifth inning the Rays would put together one more run when Jason Bartlett scored from second off of an Akinori Iwamura double. Iwamura was the only Rays batter who could seem to find some effectiveness against Hamels, notching three of the five hits Hamels allowed.

Hamels, once again, was fantastic. This Rays team came in as hot as anybody and their offense is very explosive, but Hamels found a way to only allow two runs through seven innings. When he did get in some trouble he found ways out of it. While Hamels and Utley had memorable debuts in the Fall Classic, Howard had one he would love to forget.

Howard went 0-4 on the night with three strike outs, leaving four on base. He did walk once but his struggles continued in the field. Although not credited with an error, he still found a way to botch a routine ground ball to first, as Iwamura was able to beat both Howard and Hamels to the bag. Hamels was beat to the bag, but he had let up as Howard appeared to be charging to take it himself.  Howard was charged with an error in the sixth inning when he failed to pick up a hot shot ground ball in his direction.  Perhaps a little too antsy on the play Howard bobbled the ball and could not recover in time, flipping the ball to Hamels a hair too late.


Jimmy Rollins went 0-5, Chris Coste, inserted as the designated hitter, went 0-4, Pat Burrell was 0-3, and Ruiz was 0-3, but he knocked in a run so he is forgiven. All in all the Phillies left eleven men on base, including way too many men at third and lead off base runners. This is truly an area of concern and why I believe the Phillies were lucky to escape with a victory in game one.

Don't get me wrong, the Phillies earned this victory. They proved to be the better team in game one against the favored Rays, and winning game one is a huge advantage.

The Phillies take control of the home field advantage and prove that they can win in Tampa. The Phillies are now three games away from bringing a championship to Philadelphia, so there is plenty of reasons to be happy today, and I am. The Phillies are still a long way from where they want to be there and there is still massive work to be done.

Tonight in game two Brett Myers takes the mound for the Phillies. On offense the offensive side, batters will have to continue showing patience I felt they had in game one). Winning game one definitely will ease the tension in the Philadelphia club house and may make the Rays a little more eager to get some big hits. That could bode well for Myers. Hopefully Myers shows up with the same controlled intensity he has at home. Getting through the first inning unscathed will be the key for Myers.

---------------------- Random Thoughts ----------------------

• Howard needs to calm down at first. I think his error was caused because he was too antsy to get the out. He had plenty of time.
• Victorino, I love you, but please refrain from swinging at first pitches when the pitcher is struggling and walking guys in front of you.
• What is B.J. Upton doing staring down Hamels? You want some of this?
• This game should have been 8-1 Phillies.
• Mike Schmidt doing the starting line up for the Phillies was a great omen.
• Ryan Madson continues to impress.
• Brad Lidge was awesome once again.
• I didn't think Victorino should have run home from third, testing Upton, but part of me was ok with it. You have to test the arm once since you haven't seen the Rays all year. If you're going to test the "cannon" then Victorino is the one you want running.