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Shields, Rays Even Up World Series With 4-2 Victory

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By MARC LANCASTER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 23, 2008

Updated: 10/24/2008 12:16 am

ST. PETERSBURG - Once again, the Rays responded.

They didn't have to win Thursday to stay alive in the World Series, but heading to Philadelphia needing to win two out of three just to bring it back home would not have been an ideal formula for success.

While there's still a chance they could be knocked out before a return trip to Tropicana Field after they dropped homefield advantage in the opener, the Rays will be able to prepare a bit more confidently today after dispatching the Phillies 4-2 in Game 2.

"We needed this one," said Dioner Navarro. "This one was a big game for us and we did a great job."

Tampa Bay didn't do everything right Thursday, but the Rays were in control of the game from the beginning. James Shields did his part to get his team off to a proper start, setting down the Phillies in order in the top of the first, and the Rays were never challenged after they manufactured a couple of runs in the bottom half.

In fact, the lead seemed downright comfortable for the Rays even then, and the home team's confidence grew as the game went on until a few palpitations surfaced at the end. Shields had plenty to do with that calm air, turning in 5 2/3 shutout innings for his first win since the division series opener.

Even when the Phillies put runners on base - and it happened in every frame he pitched after the first - he methodically dealt with the batter in front of him until the inning was over. Philadelphia's misery with runners in scoring position deepened as the visitors built on their World Series record 0-for-13 showing in Game 1 by going 1-for-15 in those situations Thursday. Four times, they left a runner on third to end an inning.

"We could not drive in our runs tonight," said Phillies manager Charlie Manuel. "I'm concerned about us hitting with guys on base, because it looks like at times we might be trying a little too hard. But we can fix that."

One of those failed at-bats got the job done for the Phillies, though. An Evan Longoria error in the ninth allowed Carlos Ruiz, who had led off with a double against David Price, to come around from second and score. It was the second run surrendered on the left-hander's watch, as he had allowed a pinch-hit homer to Eric Bruntlett in the eighth.

That was of little consequence to the Rays, though. They already had built the advantage they needed despite getting no help from the middle of their order. Carlos Pena, Evan Longoria and Carl Crawford were 0-for-11 Thursday, but they didn't need hits to produce.

Groundouts by Pena and Longoria brought in runs in the first, the Phillies keeping their infield back in a display of optimism for their offense. Tampa Bay also scored on an out in the fourth, as Jason Bartlett dropped a bunt down the first-base line with Cliff Floyd on third, bringing home the big man on the sacrifice.

The only real setback for the Rays came in the second, when Rocco Baldelli was cut down trying to score from second on B.J. Upton's single to right with the bases loaded and two outs. But Navarro had come in ahead of him to make it 3-0, so even that didn't work out too badly.

It was a far cry from the fireworks displays the Rays put on last week at Fenway Park, but they know it's not supposed to be that easy.

"I think those two games [in Boston], honestly, were a fluke," Upton said. "That doesn't happen much. Every game's going to be tight. We have to play like tonight in order to win this thing."

Reporter Marc Lancaster can be reached at (813) 259-7227

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