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On Monday rain stopped the Phillies from trying their chances to win the world series with only 3 innings left. But 46 hours later the Phillies are world champions of baseball.

Brad Lidge finished off the Tampa Bay Rays with a mean strikeout, ending the game at 4-3. Things got started off early in the bottom of the 6th inning with the Phils getting some hits. Jason Werth singled to shallow center to score Jenkins from 2nd. It did not take long for the Rays to quiet the packed house, Rocco Baldelli Homerd to left field to tie the game at 3.  In the 7th inning the Phillies were not going to let this game slip away, Pedro Feliz singled to center to score Bruntlett from third.

In the 9th inning lights out Lidge came in to shut down the game. The first batter to face was the powerful Evan Longoria. Few pitches later Lidge got him to pop up to second, one out.  Next up was the catcher Navarro, and he singled to right, then Perez had a pinch run stolen base with only one out. Ben Zobrist became the second out for Lidge on a line drive to right field, two outs.  Last hope for the Rays came down to  pinch hitter Eric Hinske. Down in the count 0-2 Lidge threw his nasty breaking ball to striking out Hinske, Three outs. The Phillies are 2008 World Series Champions.

Questions were raised on why the Rays did not start ace pitcher David Price? But Joe Maddon said he would not do it agian if he could, he was confident that J.P Howell could start the game and pitch strong, like he did all year.  After all the smoke settles the Phillies came out and finished the game better.  The team played small ball, got runners over, then made contact to get them across home plate.

All in all it was a bizarre game and a story book ending for the Phillies and the city of Philadelphia.

Key Notes.
Phillies Win 4-1
Howard- 0-4
Rollins- 0-4
WP-J. Romero (2-0)
LP- J. Howell (0-2)
SV- Lidge (2)

By : Jari Sanders