Phills Draw First Blood!

The Philadelphia Phillies drew first blood in the first game of the 2008 World Series at Tropicana Field behind dominant pitching and a weapon that has led them all season, the long ball. Cole Hammels improved to 4-0 in this season's post season as for the fourth time in as many starts he allowed two runs or less in seven innings. Ryan Madson pitched the 8th and Brad "Lights Out" Lidge saved his 50th consecutive game without a blown save in the Phills 3-2 win in front of a sell out crowd at "The Trop".  

  Chase Utley had a huge game for the Phillies including a two run homer off Scott Kazmir in the top of the first.  Utley was two of 4 and also stole two bases. Shane Victorino and Pedro Feliz each had a pair of hits for the National League champs. 

  The Rays only managed five hits off of the trio of Hammels, Madson and Lidge.  Akinori Iwamura picked up three of those five hits including a RBI double to cut the lead to 3-2 in the fifth. The only other two hits belonged to Ben Zobrist and a solo homer by Carl Crawford. Scott Kazmir (1-1 post season) took the loss. Grant Balfour, Trevor Miller and Dan Wheeler combined for three innings of shut out relief. 

  The Phills took a 1-0 series lead despite going 0 for 11 with runners in scoring position on the night. Game two will be at Tropicana Field Thursday night as the Rays will look to even the series.  Jamie Shields will get the ball for Tampa and will be opposed by the Phillies Brett Myers.  First pitch is set for 8:29 PM and can be seen on Fox.