World Series Evens Up at 1-1

by louismg on Oct 24, 2008 12:43 AM PDT

Starting off a home game with a lead in the early innings is never a bad thing. If the first two games of the World Series are any indication, the 2008 contest is going to be low-scoring, and it's going to be close. After Wednesday's 3-2 Phillies victory, the Rays matched their 9-inning output in the first frame of tonight's contest, adding on a third run in the second, to push ahead to a 3-0 lead, which proved to be enough to take the game, as the Phillies have shown no signs of learning how to hit with men on, eventually falling 4-2.

As with the ALCS, the Rays leave Tropicana with a 1-1 split, having lost the first game and taken the second. And while they scored enough to win, James Shields didn't give up a run into the sixth inning, making the Rays' early-inning runs stand up, despite many opportunities. The Phillies left 11 men on base, due in no small part to their batting 1-13 with men in scoring position, having gone 0-9 the night before.

This 1-22 stat is one we'll no doubt hear time and again from Joe Morgan and crew on their nightly broadcasts, just like we were treated to their comments about how the Rays "don't like to bunt with the lead" and the usual nonsense, as I heard yet again on the radio this evening. Of course, it was the Rays in the 4th using the bunt to squeeze in a run to go up 4-zip, rendering their "analysis" moot. It's all part of trying to fill the hours of airtime, which resumes Saturday at 5:35 Pacific time.

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Joe Buck and Tim McCarver

One of them is the mayor of Obviousville, and the other is the village idiot. Brutal broadcasting.

Has anybody else noticed that Fox’s “Strike Checker Box” graphic has been highlighting where the catcher caught the ball, not where it crossed the plate?

by RIPHalsey on Oct 24, 2008 3:09 AM PDT reply actions

Yes, it's totally useless

"The Athletics at Fremont" is soooooooo bad

by ArakSOT on Oct 24, 2008 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions

I note you failed to mention the other thing that bailed the Rays out... the umpires

The Rays were outright handed one run, and the Phillies might have had one taken off the board. There’s your margin of victory for you. Shockingly shoddy work by the umpires at this level.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Oct 24, 2008 8:47 AM PDT reply actions

I would like your opinion on signing Baldelli and Bonds with your statistical outlook...

please?

"What do we do with Crosby? Well, in my neighborhood, trash goes out on Mondays." ~ Nico

by MMunoz33 on Oct 24, 2008 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions

Four comments on a tied Series?

I knew this would be more interesting with someone to hate.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 24, 2008 1:53 PM PDT reply actions

good series, great to watch so far

terrible blown calls by the ump that directly impacted the score. That said, the Phillies have been really awful so far at RISP.

We still have some games to go, it’s early. I still think it’s going to go at least 6 games.

by OaklandSi on Oct 24, 2008 2:28 PM PDT reply actions

Hey, at least they're getting men on base.

I can’t remember the last time I was even in scoring position, let alone scored.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 24, 2008 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 25, 2008 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions

I know, I've heard

if today’s game is rained out – and Game 3 is played Sunday, with Game 4 on Monday – there is really no excuse for the Phillies to not start Hamels Game 4.

by OaklandSi on Oct 25, 2008 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions