MLB World Series - Phillies takes the lead 3-1 - By: Ally White

One of the oldest baseball franchises, with 125 years of existence, the Philadelphia Phillies could make history once again by winning their second World Series title, 28 years after winning their first one. The Phillies captured their 6th pennant of the National League this year by beating the LA Dodgers 4-1 in the National League Championship Series.

The Phillies have turn around their history this year as they have been the team that has struggle the most in the Major League by winning only one World Series in 126 seasons and being the team with the most lost games in the league history. But this season 2008 the Phillies have managed to achieve amazing things including beating one of the most remarkable teams in the league, the LA Dodgers, in the NL final and getting very close to become the new World Series Champions. However, they still have to beat the Tampa Bay Rays one more time to get the crown.

The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Tampa Bay Rays with an outstanding score of 10-2 in game 4 this past Sunday at Phillies’ home, the Citizens Bank Park. Philadelphia started strong since the beginning of the first inning and had 3 home runs in the game, something peculiar in a World Series finale. The Phillies starting pitcher Joe Blanton became the first pitcher to hit a home run in the World Series in 34 years. As well, Ryan Howard was incredible at the plate by hitting two home runs, one in the fourth inning for a three-run shot and then in the 8th inning for a two-run blow up.

"To be able to have two home runs in a World Series, I think that's the kind of stuff you dream of when you are a teenager. Obviously you want to win also. But being able to do something like that and to help my team win, it's a great feeling,” expressed the Phillies first base Ryan Howard.

This loss was different for the Rays because in the prior games the gap between the two teams was not as wide as this time. The pitching in the Rays was poor, even from his starter pitcher Andy Sonnanstine, who only played the first four innings. Also, two of Philadelphia’s runs were leaded by two fatal errors at defense by the second baseman Akinori Iwamura.

Now the Tampa Bay Rays is in hands of his manager Joe Maddon and will try to extend the Series to a Game 6 by winning Game 5 at Philadelphia. But the Rays will have to remember that the Phillies will begin their game with his starting pitcher Cole Hamels, who has not lost yet in the post-season and who could want to wrap up his 5th win and let the team to their second crown of the franchise history.

For the Rays, Scott Kazmir will be pitching looking for retaliation against Cole Hamels. Both pitchers faced themselves in the inaugural game of the World Series and Hamels was the winner of that game. We hope to see great baseball and excitement for the remaining of the World Series and to be witness of which of the teams will be the one to make history this year at the MLB.

About the Author

Ally White is a top senior copy writer on MLB games and sports action for the sportsbook www.instantactionsports.com/ Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety on your site, make sure to leave all links in place and do not modify any of the content.

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