Much Moyer Left in the Tank | Phillies Take 2-1 World Series Lead

If this was the last game of his 22-year career, Jamie Moyer went out on top. 

The soon-to-be-46-year-old left-handed starter for the Phillies, pitching in his first World Series game, put on a clinic.  Like Greg Maddux of the Braves before him, Moyer proved you don't need a howitzer for an arm to pitch in the big leagues.

And pitch is the operative word.

Moyer painted the corners like a Renaissance Master.  His changeup—can you have a changeup when you pitch that slow?—kept the talented-but-inexperienced Rays sluggers off balance all night (and morning) long.

In fact, no one even hit him hard until Evan Longoria launched a bomb that Mother Nature was kind enough to knock down harmlessly into Pat Burrell's glove in front of the left field wall. 

Moyer's reaction was priceless.  He stuck his tongue out in his best Gene Simmons impersonation, knowing full well he got away with one.  Instead of trailing by one, the Phillies continued to cling to a tenuous 2-1 lead.  That is until the Phillies went back-to-back with Chase Utley and Ryan Howard home runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Howard picked a good time to hit his first home run since September.

That insurance proved crucial.

Their 4-1 lead disappeared, starting with a blown call at first.  It went down in the books as a bunt single, but replays clearly showed Carl Crawford being out by a step on what Howard called a "ninja-like" play by Moyer.  The lefty made an incredible diving play, flipping the ball in one motion to Howard, who barehanded it just in front of a charging Crawford. 

Crawford went on to score, as did Dioner Navarro and B.J. Upton, who tied a World Series record with three steals.

All of a sudden, Chad Durbin had blown a save, the score was tied, and Moyer was staring at a no-decision.

Moyer deserved better.

When he exited the mound—possibly for the final time—he tipped his cap to the home plate umpire, and to the Philly faithful, who responded with a standing ovation.

The Old Man did what was asked of him, as always: He gave his team a chance to win.

And the Phillies obliged in the bottom of the ninth, with Carlos Ruiz once again getting the key, improbable hit—moving the Fightin' Phils one game closer to that parade down Broad Street.

A 22 year climb to the summit.  You'll excuse him if he takes a moment to enjoy the view.