Cole Hamels wouldn't mind another trip to his hometown this season.
Cole Hamels wouldn't mind another trip to his hometown this season.
The biggest challenge for Carlos Ruiz was escaping a Philadelphia Phillies barrage.
With their big boppers out of the lineup, the Philadelphia Phillies keep finding ways to continue their playoff push.
Hisanori Takahashi matched his first big league start with six more scoreless innings, Jose Reyes homered and the New York Mets shut out the Philadelphia Phillies for the second straight game, 5-0 on Wednesday night.
Philadelphia Phillies players stretch during their workout at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., Monday, Oct. 20, 2008. The Philadelphia Phillies will meet the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday, Oct. 22. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)
The Philadelphia Phillies are one victory away from their second World Series title in their 125-year history after they slugged four home runs in a 10-2 win over Tampa Bay for a 3-1 series lead.
Joe Blanton became the first pitcher in 34 years to hit a homer in a World Series game when he connected in the fifth inning. Ryan Howard hit a three-run home run in the fourth and a two-run shot in the eighth. He has three homers in two nights. Jayson Werth added a two-run homer in the eighth.
Blanton is the first pitcher to hit a homer in a World Series since Ken Holtzman hit one for Oakland in 1974. Blanton was sharp on the mound, too. He allowed two runs and four hits in six-plus innings while striking out seven in earning the win. Blanton and four relievers combined on a five-hitter.
Both Tampa Bay runs came on home runs. Carl Crawford hit one in the second and Eric Hinske added a pinch-hit shot in the fifth.
The Phillies are 6-0 at Citizens Bank Park in this postseason.
They can close out the Rays tonight. The Game 5 starters are Scott Kazmir for the Rays against 14-game winner Cole Hamels of the Phils. Hamels is 4-0 with a 1.55 ERA in the postseason.
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