Sports Thread #2 fpr 10/26/08: Blanton Heroics Put Philles One Game Away From Title

Photo from Bill Kostroun of Reuters

He pitched well. And he hit REAL WELL.

So well did Joe Blanton hit, that he became the first pitcher to homer in a World Series since 1974, when Oakland's Ken Holtzman did it. And fitting, Blanton's former team?

The Oakland A's.

Still, both me and James believe that the Rays will somehow beat Cole Hamels tomorrow and bring the series back to Tampa Bay (pending a great effort from Scott Kazmir). But even if they do win Game 5, with the way Evan Longeria and Carlos Pena are struggling horribly thus far (no hits for either of them in this series, and B.J Upton's bat has gone cold too), it seems that the Ray of hope for Joe Madden's side will have varnished before reaching the improbable ultimate goal.

Tonight was a back breaker to the Rays' chances, and it sets the stage for the Phillies to win their first title since 1980.