Cole Hamels was strong through seven, holding the Rays to 2 runs on 5 hits. Ryan Madson was perfect in the 8th, Brad Lidge the same in the 9th. Chase Utley, ol' gritty blue-eyes, shook off the rust immediately with a 2-run homer in the first. Carlos Ruiz brought Shane Victorino in in the 4th on a ground-out. On the other hand, the Phillies were a mindboggling, and World Series record-setting, 0-13 with RISP. But that's been their frustrating m.o. much of the season. Hamels kept the Rays off balance and off the bases; they stranded three. Ryan Howard looked totally lost, Jimmy Rollins was chasing, and Chris Coste simply a fright at DH. Despite all that, the Phils take game one: 3-2.The cool, dishy Hamels has now won game one of all three series this postseason. He is 4-0, with a 1.55 ERA in 29 innings. Amazing that the national media are now stumbling over themselves 'discovering' him. Gee, maybe they'll clue in to Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson next.
I got back from NY too energized to go to the IronPigs viewing party, which drew some 3,000 fans. Instead, I baked an apple pie, freaked out over a visiting mouse, screamed at the radio, and trekked up and down the stairs to get away from the LOB's. I'll be happy to do the same tonight if it means the Phillies win again.
Other bad things about last night: 1) the cowbells, which were pathetic. As Charlie Manuel said, In Philadelphia we ring the Liberty Bell. 'Nuff said. 2) the P.A. announcer at the Trop, who seemed to have wandered in from an NBA game. Minor league at its worst. 3) the Backstreet Boys singing the national anthem. Ouch. 4) the FOX pre- and postgame crew of Zolasko, Grace/less, and Kennedy. Talk about empty air time.
