Cliff Lee thumps the Rays out of the arena (Pt. 3)
The Tampa Bay Rays were back in the game, and with the series against the Texas Rangers at 2 – 2, there was a possibility to go in to the American League Championships against the New York Yankees. One of the things, manager Joe
Maddon was upbeat about was the fact that the team was playing the deciding fixture in their home ground of the Tropicana field. The chances of going into the next stage in his eyes were high, but in terms of playoffs statistics, that was not the likely case.
The Rangers had won their first two fixtures in the same ground in the post season. Alternatively, the Rays did the same in the Rangers Ballpark. With a great understanding of the odds held in the balance, there was a stubborn
chance for the side to register a win against the mighty Rays. The odds were not stacked up against them and as an insurance cover, Cliff Lee featured in the game to add in a variety of defensive precautions that would cultivate the necessary strength for
the team to prosper in their bid for the World Series title.
David Price was up against Master Lee again and it was going to be the same venue where the two pitchers last time as well. The Rays star pitcher was not so successful against the Rangers in their first game and looking at how
the last fixture turned out, it was necessary for the second ranking league pitcher to prove his mettle against one of the best ball throwers that ever lived in Major League Baseball history.
The match just went into the bottom 1st innings with the Rays in the strike zone, facing Lee for the first time on the mound. The Rangers had scored through Elvis Andrus who took advantage of the inattentive fielding
side that was busy in dealing with Josh Hamilton who grounded his shot to Carlos Pena.
The Rays tried to emulate the Rangers and they unfortunately failed to make an impact on the bottom 1st. Price wanted to get of his predicament and pitched well till the 3rd inning. However, Lee was rather
unsuccessful as he allowed Tampa Bay to get the equalizer in the bottom 3rd inning. Kelly Shoppach began the inning with a grounder out shot to the third baseman. The departure of Kelly brought Sean Rodriguez to the strike zone and he did his best
against the maestro by signalling to the right. Jason Bartlett was the third man in and he contributed to the team with an infield single to the pitcher. That moved Rodriguez to the 2nd base.
The setting was clear for the team to generate a run and Ben Zobrist came on to the diamond to spread his influence to the game. He smashed a single to the centre and that was all Rodriguez was looking for as the strong hitter
ran back to the diamond with a run to the Rays. The teams were now back in the chase for the win and Lee’s failure to keep the opponents off the lead meant the visitors needed to work hard again.
The moment wasn’t far though as a fiery Nelson Cruz, converted a bid for a run into something really useful for the West Leaders. David Price, in his own right, was pitching well and when he struck out Josh Hamilton, the inning
was looking like a quick knock for the ball thrower. He got Vladimir Guerrero flied out in the next few pitches and with two men down, Nelson Cruz walked on to face David on the mound.
Nelson was fired up in the last game and he started his inning with a double to the deep centre. With Ian Kinsler on the plate, Cruz stole the third base to set him up for a run. The big man finally scored when catcher, Kelly Shoppach
messed up a throw to the third baseman.
The Rangers were back in the lead and with the top 4th coming to a close; there was much to be fought for in the game.
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