

What can we say about David Price! This game was his coming out party, and did he literally save Tampa Bay from eminent disaster by pitching 1 1/3 innings -- striking out J.D. Drew with the bases juiced to the end the 8th -- and struck out two in the final frame to get the save.
Matt Garza pitched the game of his life, earning the win -- along with the second of the ALCS -- and making only one mistake -- Pedroia's first inning solo home run. Aside from that, Garza was a good as you could get. His counterpart on the mound, Lester was good -- going seven strong and giving up three runs -- but, it was not nearly enough.
The Rays were on, and it showed after two devastating losse! s in the ALCS.
Evan Longoria tied the game in the fourth inning to plate Carlos Pena, and they took the lead in the follow frame as Rocco Badelli plated Wily Aybar with a single. In the bottom the seventh, Aybar hit a solo home run -- an important insurance run -- to

Both bullpens kept their team in it, but Tampa held on and got the monkey off their back.
After ten years of futility, being made fun of, and being the doormats of baseball, th! e Rays have made it to the World Series, and it's just unbelievable.
You've got to give it to the Red Sox -- they took the Rays to the limit and nearly came back, but it was not enough this time around.
The Tampa team making it to the Series gives teams like the Baltimore Orioles and small market hope that if they manage and scout talent carefully, stick to a plan -- your finances and market size should not make being successful insurmountable.
Again, I can't believe I am saying this -- the Rays are the American League Champions and are headed to the World Series.
