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Moriarty9 · 02-20-2009, 09:54 PM

Devil Rays sting Angels
O'Neal thrilled by 'playoff' victory
September 20, 1999

ANAHEIM — The Angels and Tampa Bay Devil Rays are now each a half-game out in the American League Wild Card race after an exciting head-to-head matchup tonight.

Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal was "thrilled" by his team's victory in what he billed as "the first playoff game in franchise history."

"I know there are still games to go but this was as much of a must-win game this team has ever played in and the atmosphere was electric," O'Neal said. "These guys played their hearts out and stepped up to the plate tonight."

Tampa Bay won the game 6-4 as the Angels had the tying run on second base in the bottom of the ninth when Benny Agbayani made a running catch on a sinking linedrive to rightfield to end the game.

Agbayani, Erubiel Durazo and rookie Jerry Hairston, Jr. each homered for the Devil Rays while Jim Edmonds and Robert Fick went deep for the Angels.

"A lot of guys did a lot of things tonight," O'Neal said. "Erubiel got three hits, a big homer in the fourth; Benny hit a big two-run shot and made a couple nice plays, including that last one; and Hairston, gets a shot and makes the most of it with his first homer of the year."

The difference in the game was the pitching. Tampa Bay starter Kip Wells went seven innings before handing the ball over to the bullpen, whereas Chuck Finley lasted just five innings, forcing the bullpen to work a little harder.

"How big was Kip Wells tonight?" O'Neal said. "The kid's had a rough go of it this year but has the confidence in himself, just as we do, to go out there and throw a solid game and give his team a big win."

Wells gave up four runs on eight hits and two walks in seven innings. Gabe White and Todd Jones worked the eighth inning while Paul Quantrill picked up his 27th save of the season in the ninth.

The Angels loss put the idle Toronto Blue Jays in the lead for the Wild Card. Toronto resumes play tonight at Fenway Park in Boston as Kelvim Escobar (11-9, 4.97 ERA) takes on Red Sox starter Jeff Suppan (7-7, 5.05 ERA). The Devil Rays will send Bruce Chen (6-4, 4.04 ERA) to the mound against Anaheim's Jason Dickson (12-14, 5.25 ERA).

02-20-2009, 09:54 PM	#136 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,858 Thanks: 10 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Devil Rays sting Angels O'Neal thrilled by 'playoff' victory September 20, 1999 ANAHEIM — The Angels and Tampa Bay Devil Rays are now each a half-game out in the American League Wild Card race after an exciting head-to-head matchup tonight. Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal was "thrilled" by his team's victory in what he billed as "the first playoff game in franchise history." "I know there are still games to go but this was as much of a must-win game this team has ever played in and the atmosphere was electric," O'Neal said. "These guys played their hearts out and stepped up to the plate tonight." Tampa Bay won the game 6-4 as the Angels had the tying run on second base in the bottom of the ninth when Benny Agbayani made a running catch on a sinking linedrive to rightfield to end the game. Agbayani, Erubiel Durazo and rookie Jerry Hairston, Jr. each homered for the Devil Rays while Jim Edmonds and Robert Fick went deep for the Angels. "A lot of guys did a lot of things tonight," O'Neal said. "Erubiel got three hits, a big homer in the fourth; Benny hit a big two-run shot and made a couple nice plays, including that last one; and Hairston, gets a shot and makes the most of it with his first homer of the year." The difference in the game was the pitching. Tampa Bay starter Kip Wells went seven innings before handing the ball over to the bullpen, whereas Chuck Finley lasted just five innings, forcing the bullpen to work a little harder. "How big was Kip Wells tonight?" O'Neal said. "The kid's had a rough go of it this year but has the confidence in himself, just as we do, to go out there and throw a solid game and give his team a big win." Wells gave up four runs on eight hits and two walks in seven innings. Gabe White and Todd Jones worked the eighth inning while Paul Quantrill picked up his 27th save of the season in the ninth. The Angels loss put the idle Toronto Blue Jays in the lead for the Wild Card. Toronto resumes play tonight at Fenway Park in Boston as Kelvim Escobar (11-9, 4.97 ERA) takes on Red Sox starter Jeff Suppan (7-7, 5.05 ERA). The Devil Rays will send Bruce Chen (6-4, 4.04 ERA) to the mound against Anaheim's Jason Dickson (12-14, 5.25 ERA).