Phillies Win Game 3

The Phillies beat the Rays in Game 3 of the World Series, in a wild game that featured a little bit of everything. It rained throughout the day, and Phillies fans were checking the weather forecast as much as anything else. It had all the feelings of what would turn out to be a wild game, even before it started.

The Phillies got on the board early, which was important, as Jimmy Rollins finally got a hit, and led off with a single. An RBI groundout by Utley allowed Rollins to score. It would still be nice if the Phillies could get a hit with a runner in scoring position, but it was nice to see a run generated. The Rays answered in the top of the 2nd, with a sac fly, allowing Carl Crawford to score. Carlos Ruiz, who has been amazing in this World Series turned on a ball in the bottom of the 2nd, and hit it out to left field to make it 2-1. The Phillies then got back-to-back home runs in the 6th off Garza to make it 4-1. The Rays would answer. The Rays got two runs in the 7th, which was the result of a blown call at 1st base that went against the Phillies. Another run crossed the plate in the 8th for the Rays to tie the game at 4.

Then came the bottom of the 9th. Eric Bruntlett was leading off the bottom of the 9th, as he had come in as a defensive replacement for Burrell. Bruntlett got hit with a pitch to start off the inning. Victorino squared around to bunt as the next batter, and a wild pitch was thrown. Then, Navarro, the catcher threw the ball into the outfield trying to get Bruntlett going to 2nd. Bruntlett advance to 3rd. Victorino was walked, and so was Dobbs, setting up the bases loaded with 0 outs, and Ruiz at the plate. The Rays used five infielders on the play, and Ruiz hit a swinging bunt right down the 3rd base line to score Bruntlett, and allow the Phillies to take a 2-1 series lead.

Jamie Moyer was amazing in this game, and only allowed 3 runs and went 6.1 innings. In the 7th inning, Carl Crawford bunted down the first base line. Moyer flew off the mound, and was on the ball, making a diving, then flipping out of his glove play to Howard, all in one motion. Crawford was called safe, however, replays clearly showed that the play beat the runner, and to be honest, it wasn't even close. This opened the door for the Rays two runs in the 7th. Give credit to Moyer, who came out dealing, in a game where they said that he shouldn't even be pitching.

It made it all the more exciting that the game wasn't over until 1:47 a.m. Sunday morning. Kotite's Corner was down at the stadium complex for the game, and the atmosphere was amazing.