Instant Access: World Series Game 1
Posted by Ken Schmidt on 10.23.2008
The Sports Kid is here to breakdown inning for inning the first game of the World Series.
Keys to the Game:
For the Phillies to Win
Cole Hamels must limit his walks, the Rays are going to hit the ball hard, the key is keeping their doubles meaningless and their homers solo.
Jimmy Rollins must get on base. He is the catalyst and they somehow made it this far without him hitting great in the playoffs. Jimmy needs to shine in this World Series.
For the Rays to Win
Scott Kazmir needs to keep his pitch count down. Kazmir is a pitcher who rarely goes deep in games. This bullpen is not good enough to beat the Phillies if they have to pitch four innings under intense pressure.
Play big defense. The Phillies made the Dodgers pay dearly for every error they made in the NLCS. This is the big stage and no Rays' player has ever played in a World Series so they can not look jittery out there and boot the ball.
First Inning
Top
Following one of the most painful renditions of the National Anthem I have heard in a long time (seriously keep boy bands away from our countries anthem) it was Scotty Kazmir hitting to a huge ovation from the crowd. The Rays fan base are really into this one but you can still hear muffled cheers for the Phillies too (the Phillies do their spring training in Clearwater Florida, very close to Tampa Bay).
Part II of the Phillies keys to the game got off to a slow start when Jimmy Rollins did what Jimmy Rollins does, flies out with two pitches. Jimmy never was good at taking pitches in the leadoff spot. Thank god for Jayson Werth who followed up Jimmy's weak AB with a six-pitch walk. Chase Utley did the smart thing and tried to force the Rays hands with the crazy shift by dropping a bunt. Fortunately for the Phillies the bunt went foul and Utley battled to a 2-2 count when Kazmir left a big old fastball over the heart and it quickly becomes a 2-0 Phillies lead. Howard followed by grounding into the shift and Burrell got called out on strikes in a three-pitch at-bat ended an important first inning for the Phils.
What can you say about this team? If you walk people, it sets them up for the big long ball. Utley is the 34th player in history to homer on his first AB in World Series. My roommate Jesse by the way cannot stop complaining about how he hates how often they shift the camera angles; it is making him nocuous. Some people you can't make happy.
Bottom
Aki Iwamura leads off the game with a big infield single. He just slapped the ball at Howard who surprisingly fielded the ball clean but lost the race to the bag. Hamels started out jumpy with some high fastballs but battled back before the punch single. B.J. Upton followed with the 4-6-3 double play on a check swing, shades of Cory Hart's devastating double play in Game 2 of the NLDS. Carlos Pena grounds into the shift and Cole Hamels faces just three batters in the first.
That was a big statement from the Phillies that they are not afraid of the big hitters in the Rays lineup and more of this from Hamels could take out the Tampa crowd out and bring the Clearwater Philly fans to be the loudest voices.
Second Inning
Top
Shane Victorino says right back at you to Iwamura with an infield single up the middle. For those who were watching I know you were cheering for Shane to steal the base for a free Taco Bell taco. Kazmir ruined our chance at a free taco by walking Feliz on five pitches and he is in trouble here in the second. Coste flew out lazy to right and Ruiz battled to a walk. With the bases loaded Jimmy once again swings at the second pitch and hits a lazy fly to center. Shane Victorino decided to test B.J. Upton and was wrong as Upton's throw nailed Victorino by two steps.
The Phillies have Kazmir up to 40 total pitches through just two innings however, they could not capitalize on the base runners as they get no runs out of the bases loaded with one out. Though I like Victorino testing Upton their with two outs this could be a huge turning point for the Rays as they steal some momentum back and get the fans cheering after the fear that swept through the crowd after Kazmir's walk issues.
And P.S. to Joe Buck. Learn what a walking lead is. The runners aren't starting and stopping every pitch.
Bottom
Cole Hamels starts out with his change up baffling the long Longeria for the first out. Crawford hit the ball of the end of the bat on a fly out to center. High heat does in Willy Aybar.
The pitch counts are telling the tale of the game early. 40 pitches for Kaz and 25 for Hamels who has faced the minimum batters through two innings. The Rays missed a chance to build on the big throw from Upton and it will be the middle of the Phillies lineup coming to the plate in the third.
Third Inning
Top
This is lucky pretzel inning for my mom and I (I called to confirm during the commercials). We eat soft pretzels in a P-shape every game but one during the NLCS. Not being egocentric here but the lucky pretzels are 4 for 4 in the playoffs and usually the bats are big when we eat them.
Jayson Werth starts out lucky pretzel inning with a poke leadoff double (THE POWER OF THE PRETZEL). Utley makes a productive out as he moves Werth to third on a groundout leaving the Phils with another runner on third with less than two outs. Howard chases a low and away pitch as he looked really jumpy up there, chasing two balls out of the zone for the big strikeout for Kazmir. Burrell also swings at a low pitch and Kazmir works out of another jam.
The Phillies fail on another big spot as Kazmir slipped his way out of trouble again in the third. These are the kinds of plays that might have Phillies fans shaking their heads tomorrow morning as this game could easily be getting out of hand at this point.
Bottom
Well the pretzel didn't help the offense so I moved onto a slice of pizza to help the defense. Navarro led off the inning with a weak pop-up (THE POWER OF THE PIZZA). Zobrist than got the Rays first hit of the game that went out of the infield as he laced one past Perdro "the Glove" Feliz for a single. Cole Hamels than walked Bartlett and it was the rarely talked about bottom of the lineup making the first surge for the Rays offense, first and second – one out. Iwamura poked a little single over the head of Howard but Werth was on it quickly and Zobrist was held at third, loading the bases for the dreaded B.J. Upton. Did I mention Pedro Feliz's nickname is the glove? Upton smashes the ball but Feliz takes a step to his right and snags it for the easy 5-4-3 double play.
Hamels works out of his first jam of the World Series and it is the Rays failing to score in a situation where you need to get runs, bases loaded less than two outs. Hamels kept his composure out there while Upton was swinging for the grand slam with every hack. You are not going to win games that way. Still 2-0 Phillies.
Fourth Inning
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Shane Victorino leads off with a bloop single to centerfield. Here is a small thing that good teams do. B.J. Upton missed the ball because he was running hard to try and make the catch but Ben Zobrist was right behind him to back up the ball and keep the double away. Not only did Shane not get the extra base but now we have a shot at a free taco with the speedy runner at first. The Phils then collected their fifth hit of the game on a Pedro Feliz single as he just dropped the barrel on the ball and the Phils are threatening again. Phillies catch a lucky break as Coste hit what might've been a double play but the runners were going on the pitch and it turns into a productive out (but still no free taco). Carlos Ruiz finally gets some small ball done as he grounds out to the middle infield, which was good enough for the RBI. Jimmy Rollins continued his struggles striking out on three pitches.
The Phillies finally get a run in a situation where they were supposed to score. It is now 3-0 for the road team but it could easily be a blow out at this point. Kazmir's pitch count is up to 71 and at this rate he will most likely not come out for the sixth.
Bottom
Pena makes life easy on Hamels grounding the first ball to Ryan Howard for the first out. McCarver and Buck are begging for a Rays comeback here as they pointed out that Hamels beat the slow running Pena to the bag. It's easier when the runner is a slow running first baseman as opposed to the leadoff hitter but let the announcers believe Hamels doesn't hustle. Longoria grounds one to "The Glove." With things running well for Hamels he makes a classic Cole Hamels mistake and hangs a curveball for a Carl Crawford solo shot. McCarver questions the Phillies pitch calling there (he is yet to comment on Kazmir's sub par outing thus far). Aybar pokes a ball right to Victorino and Hamels is out of the 4th.
It is tough for Cole Hamels to be a starter because you need to show all your pitchers to keep players off balance. Unfortunately his curveball is not a strong pitch for him and Crawford was sitting on one. Meanwhile, McCarver and Buck would lead you to believe Hamels is the one struggling every inning, but he is actually cruising along quite nicely minus the big bomb from Crawford. He has thrown just 53 pitches so far.
Fifth Inning
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Jayson Werth rips a ball to B.J. Upton for the first out of the inning. McCarver and Buck continue to point out every Phillies miscue as Jayson Werth chased a pitch to fall behind. Pretty soon Buck is going to point out Kazmir's immaculate fingernails vs. Chase Utley's grinded down, dirty fingers. Utley pops out to the second baseman for the second out. Howard battles for a nine-pitch walk to prolong the inning. Burrell nubs a little ball down the line and Kazmir has to rush the ball and flips to Pena who tries to catch the ball in the heel. The ball bounced out of the glove for an error on Pena. Buck and McCarver are pleading for runner's interference on Burrell for being out of the base path; I guess we no longer are concerned about being impartial. Victorino bounced out to second to end the inning.
The error might not have meant a run for the Phillies this inning but it might've spelled the end of the night for Kazmir. His pitch count is at 96 through five innings and he is yet to have smooth sailing through one inning.
Bottom
Navarro cannot check his swing on another nasty changeup from Hamels for the strikeout. Zobrist works a full count on Hamels before bouncing out to Feliz. Bartlett works a full count as well but this time the payoff pitch misses and Bartlett walks for the second time this game. Bartlett wins the WORLD A FREE TACO with a stolen base. Of course the hidden catch is you have to go on a random Tuesday between 2 and 6 pm, which most normal people don't eat during. My roommate was so confuse about my celebration for the free taco, he thought I was making a racial slur towards Ruiz. Iwamura works a long pitch count and Hamels decided not to give in. Iwamura slaps his third hit of the game, this one an RBI double. Ryan Howard makes a SICK catch fighting the fans off to get Hamels out of the inning.
This is where the Phillies home field advantage is better than the Rays. The Rays fans hardly battled Howard for that ball that was in the stands. If that was Carlos Pena in Philadelphia you know every hand in the seats would be making sure Pena doesn't get that ball. Hamels has his first tough inning of the game as the Rays make it a one run game at 3-2 and really elevate his pitch count.
Sixth Inning
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Kazmir returns for the sixth here and Feliz greets him with another bloop single. Anyway possible for the Phillies leadoff hitters as this is the fourth Philly to lead off an inning getting on base. Coste continues to struggle in his first start of the postseason with another pop up. Ruiz pops one up to Crawford for the second out of the inning. Rollins lines one to Upton an Kazmir proves Maddon to be wise as he gets through the inning with just the one bloop single.
It is really getting tense at Tropicana as the Phillies don't do much on offense. Coste and Rollins are both single handedly keeping the Rays in the game.
Bottom
Ryan Howard continues to be an absolute butcher at first base. Please explain to me why he is not the Phillies DH as Chris Coste, the DH for tonight, played 1st base in the minors. Pena is at first on the error. Cole Hamels takes a page out of Jamie Moyer's step off book and just barely beats the balk as he picks Pena off of first base. Howard makes a rare good throw to second and after all the madness there is one out and none on. Buck and McCarver are irate that the Rays did not get the call here. Longoria strikes out for the second time on the night as Hamels settles in. Crawford grounds out slowly to Utley and Hamels is out of the 6th.
I know that I am filling this column with my cheering for the Phillies, but I am a fan doing a running diary for a website primarily known for wrestling. Buck and McCarver never cease to amaze me with their unprofessional calling of the game. Hamels quick inning may have bought him the ball in the 7th inning, which will be key to get to Madson and then Lidge, keeping the Phillies away from having to use Chad "Buckles Under Pressure" Durbin.
Seventh Inning
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J.P. Howell checks into the game for the Rays. Howell is most known for being the losing pitcher of the epic 7-0 comeback Game 5 of the ALCS, though he only allowed one run in that historic fall apart game. Maddon makes the smart move to bring in the crafty lefty for Utley and Howard. Howell takes care of the right-handed hitter Werth with a strikeout. Utley continues to be able to hit the lefties as he singles up the middle off a good pitch from Howell. Utley takes second easily as Howell was concerned more with Howard than keeping the runner on. I'm not that excited as we already won the free taco. Howard swings at a WILD PITCH, showing how well he is seeing the ball tonight. Utley moves up to third on a ball that bounced well before it reached the plate. I am stunned at how poor Howard's decision to swing there was. Credit Buck and McCarver for pointing out some bad pitch decisions from Howell. With the count 3-2 I am ready to murder whoever created the cowbell. It is so annoying. Howard chases a slider to bail Howell out of the jam and it will be up to Burrell with the runner on third. Burrell looks as jumpy as Howard as Howell gets him swinging at a pitch in the dirt too. Talk about antsy at the plate. Burrell regains his patience and draws the walk, which will end Howell's night and bring in Grant Balfour.
Bruntlett replaces Burrell at first base ending Burrell's night, a classic Charlie Manuel move as he likes to move Burrell in the seventh for the defensive replacement. Balfour challenges the Flying Hawaiian Shane Victorino with six straight fastballs and struck him out.
The Phillies are now 0-8 with RISP and fail on yet another chance for the easy RBI with the runner on third and less than two out. I am sensing a dangerous theme here as the Rays continue to hang right in it.
Bottom
Hamels returns to the mound with a pitch count of 91. Time is beginning to tick really slowly at this point. Aybar pops one up to Rollins and the Rays are down to eight outs. McCarver says his first good thing about Hamels meaning the jinx is on. Hamels gets strikeout number four on Navarro. Zobrist bounces it right back to Cole and that is a 1-2-3 seventh inning for Cole.
I am predicting that Hamels night ends there considering how well Ryan Mason has been pitching. If I am right than that was another great performance from Cole and it will be on the bullpen to maintain the slim lead for the Phils.
Eighth Inning
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Balfour remains in the game and Feliz chases a high fastball to fly out. I was calling for Matt Stairs to hit for Coste here but instead Charlie leaves Coste in and he breaks his bat on a weak groundout to the pitcher. Ruiz lines one to Zobrist who makes a nice catch in just his third ever start in right field.
Balfour shuts the door on the Phillies who once again have turned their bats off against the opposing bullpens. The Phils have put up big leads these entire playoffs and sat on them for the win. This situation is no different.
Bottom
Like I thought Ryan "Mad Dog" Madson checks into the game. He had an up and down regular season but down the regular season stretch and into the playoffs he has stepped his game up. Buck is STILL talking about the Phillies stranding runners here as Howard makes the first catch in foul territory as Bartlett is retired for the first time tonight. Speaking of out for the first time Iwamura pops out to Jayson Werth for out number two. Madson completes the 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout of B.J. Upton.
We are through eight innings and the Phillies are trying to give the town of Philadelphia a collective heart attack. One more inning left in this nail biter.
Ninth Inning
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Rollins strikes out to lead off the ninth against Balfour and my second key to the game for the Phillies is a complete failure as Rollins is 0-5. Werth finally gets to Balfour with a ground rule double and Maddon decides to walk Utley to go after the big boy Ryan Howard and bring in Trever Miller, the left-hander, for a critical spot. Howard gets blown away by an 85 MPH fastball down the heart of the plate for out number two. Miller does his job with one out and leaves Eric Bruntlett to the capable hands of Dan Wheeler.
Werth and Utley each move up a base as they catch Wheeler not paying attention and once again we take solace in the free taco we all get on Tuesday. I love tacos. After the thoughts of tacos Bruntlett pops it up to Iwamura.
The Rays bullpen comes up huge tonight as they shut it down after Kazmir's six innings of work. Hearts are racing across America as we move to the bottom of the ninth.
Bottom
Lidge is in. 3-2. Bottom of the ninth. This is what baseball is all about.
For those curious according to McCarver if the ball is in the dirt, the catcher needs to block it. Following that gem from McCarver, Carlos Pena can't hold back his swing and strikes out on a nasty slider. 1 OUT.
Buck is now begging for Longoria to go long and I am battling the urge to mute the TV. Another slider equals another strike out for Lidge. 2 OUT.
Crawford falls behind 1-2 to Lidge but the Phillies closer misses badly to run the count full. Crawford BARELY gets a piece of a slider to prolong the count and raise my blood pressure even higher than it already is. Pedro Feliz stumbles on his own two feet BUT THE GLOVE ENDS THE GAME.
