John Smallwood: Calm Rays smiling all the way to the Bank after winning Game 2
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - There wasn't much difference between the way James Shields pitched in Game 2 of the World Series and the way Scott Kazmir pitched in Game 1.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - There wasn't much difference between the way James Shields pitched in Game 2 of the World Series and the way Scott Kazmir pitched in Game 1.
Both threw a lot of pitches, both danced the line a little dangerously.
But Shields never made the big mistake, like Kazmir did by surrendering that two-run homer to Phillies second baseman Chase Utley.
And the Rays' batters broke through against Phillies starter Brett Myers, something they couldn't do against Game 1 starter Cole Hamels.
The lines between what was and wasn't done were small, but the results where huge as Tampa Bay jumped back into the World Series with a 4-2 victory last night at Tropicana Field.
The series now shifts to Philadelphia, where Game 3 will be played tomorrow night at Citizens Bank Park and the Rays will send American League Championship Series MVP Matt Garza against Phillies ageless wonder Jamie Moyer.
Coming into Philly with the series 1-1 is a lot less daunting than coming in 0-2, which Tampa Bay would have been had they lost Game 2.
The Phillies got what they wanted, a split from the two games down here on Florida's Gulf Coast, but the Rays will like their chances up north for the next three games.
After all, Tampa Bay was 1-1 going into Boston for three games and put a hammerlock on the ALCS by winning the first two at Fenway Park.
"We just had a couple of opportunities and took advantage of them," Rays centerfielder B.J. Upton said. "There is no pressure on us. I don't think anyone expected us to be here. We believe in ourselves and will play our game regardless."
The Rays got their first lead of the World Series early when Akinori Iwamura walked, and Myers yielded a single to Upton. Both advanced a base when Jayson Werth failed to pick up Upton's ball cleanly.
They scored two runs on groundouts, and the Rays wound up scoring two more - more than they would need.
Again, Shields, who conceded that he would be a little more anxious about his first start in a World Series than a normal regular-season start, wasn't lights-out.
He scattered seven hits over 5 2/3 innings, but recorded every big out when he needed.
The Phillies threatened in several innings, but each time Shields ended up leaving them at least 90 feet from home plate.
"As far as my game, I thought I pitched pretty well," Shields said. "They did a good job of battling and taking pitches. A lot of teams don't take pitches on me because I'm known as a strike thrower.
"The bottom line is my teammates gave me a 2-0 lead, then added a run. That gave me the confidence to go out and make my pitches. If it's tied, maybe you do something differently. I made some key pitches in key situations. I had to battle tonight."
With a victory under their belt, the Rays will come into the Bank relaxed, loose and confident. That's just who they are.
The Rays also know that the Game 2 ALCS victory was the catalyst for an offensive explosion in which they scored 29 runs in three games in Fenway.
After getting by Hamels and Myers without falling to 0-2, the Rays have to like their chances against Moyer, who has struggled in two playoff starts, and Joe Blanton.
"It was huge tonight," Shields said. "Winning tonight, just as we did in ALCS against Boston, gives us a lot of confidence to go on the road and get it done."
Of course, the way Tampa Bay pitching has quieted the Phillies' slumbering bats through the first two games of the World Series, the Rays might not have to score many more runs than they have.
If not for the grit of Hamels and relievers Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge, the Phillies would be down 0-2 and desperate coming back to Philadelphia.
With the exception of the home run Kazmir gave up to Utley in Game 1, Rays pitching has frustrated the Phillies by not giving up any critical hits.
The Phillies have only totaled five runs through the first two games, and a 1-for-28 with runners in scoring position.
"That number is kind of extreme," Maddon said, "but we've had pitching all year. We are capable of doing that. We go in with a solid game plan, then it's making good pitches, having an idea of what you want to do and having talent."
The World Series is now a best-of-five with the Phillies having homefield.
Somehow, I don't think the Tampa Bay Rays are all that bothered by that. *
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