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Moriarty9 · 02-23-2009, 07:26 PM

Pass ball ends 10-inning affair
Devil Rays win streak ends at five
September 26, 1999

NEW YORK — With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the tenth, Tampa Bay Devil Rays pitcher Paul Quantrill was one out away from giving his team a chance to win another big game. Instead, a pitch squirted out of Charles Johnson's mitt and the winning run scampered home for the Yankees.

Quantrill opened up the tenth inning of a 3-3 ballgame set to face Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams and Rafael Palmeiro. After Jeter grounded out to start the inning, Williams reached on an error by Devil Rays shortstop Wilton Guerrero. Palmeiro singled, moving Williams to third base. Jorge Posada tried to laid down a sacrifice bunt toward first base for the second out as Palmeiro advanced to secondbase and Williams was held at third as Paul Konerko made a quick play on the bunt. Quantrill walked Fernando Vina to load the bases with two outs and bring Ruben Sierra to the plate. Sierra was pinch hit for by Tino Martinez, who quickly fell behind Quantrill, 1-2. Looking to pick up a strikeout to end the inning, Quantrill threw a fastball low and away that squirted out of the mitt of Johnson, far away enough for Williams to score from thirdbase.

"It's a disappointment but you can't win them all," said Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal. "We'll go back out there tomorrow and with any luck we'll have a different result when the final play is made."

Johnson, who went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts at the plate, told reporters after the game that the loss should have been pinned on him rather than Quantrill.

"I should have caught that ball, no doubt about it," Johnson said. "It popped out of the glove and its nobody's fault but my own."

The loss was especially tough as the Toronto Blue Jays won this afternoon, narrowing Tampa Bay's Wild Card lead to one game. The Seattle Mariners defeated the Anaheim Angels today as well, leaving Seattle 2 1/2 back and Anaheim 3 games behind.

The Devil Rays hope to rebound in tomorrow's series finale, sending Kip Wells (3-4, 5.66 ERA) to the mound against New York's Kenny Rogers (15-8, 4.16 ERA). The Mariners fly south to Arlington, Texas to take on the Rangers. Doc Gooden (7-9, 6.01 ERA) will be opposed by Texas hurler Russ Ortiz (3-4, 6.42 ERA). The Angels and Blue Jays will be off tomorrow. THe Blue Jays will be heading to St. Petersburg, Florida to begin a crucial series with the Devil Rays beginning Tuesday.

02-23-2009, 07:26 PM	#141 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Pass ball ends 10-inning affair Devil Rays win streak ends at five September 26, 1999 NEW YORK — With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the tenth, Tampa Bay Devil Rays pitcher Paul Quantrill was one out away from giving his team a chance to win another big game. Instead, a pitch squirted out of Charles Johnson's mitt and the winning run scampered home for the Yankees. Quantrill opened up the tenth inning of a 3-3 ballgame set to face Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams and Rafael Palmeiro. After Jeter grounded out to start the inning, Williams reached on an error by Devil Rays shortstop Wilton Guerrero. Palmeiro singled, moving Williams to third base. Jorge Posada tried to laid down a sacrifice bunt toward first base for the second out as Palmeiro advanced to secondbase and Williams was held at third as Paul Konerko made a quick play on the bunt. Quantrill walked Fernando Vina to load the bases with two outs and bring Ruben Sierra to the plate. Sierra was pinch hit for by Tino Martinez, who quickly fell behind Quantrill, 1-2. Looking to pick up a strikeout to end the inning, Quantrill threw a fastball low and away that squirted out of the mitt of Johnson, far away enough for Williams to score from thirdbase. "It's a disappointment but you can't win them all," said Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal. "We'll go back out there tomorrow and with any luck we'll have a different result when the final play is made." Johnson, who went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts at the plate, told reporters after the game that the loss should have been pinned on him rather than Quantrill. "I should have caught that ball, no doubt about it," Johnson said. "It popped out of the glove and its nobody's fault but my own." The loss was especially tough as the Toronto Blue Jays won this afternoon, narrowing Tampa Bay's Wild Card lead to one game. The Seattle Mariners defeated the Anaheim Angels today as well, leaving Seattle 2 1/2 back and Anaheim 3 games behind. The Devil Rays hope to rebound in tomorrow's series finale, sending Kip Wells (3-4, 5.66 ERA) to the mound against New York's Kenny Rogers (15-8, 4.16 ERA). The Mariners fly south to Arlington, Texas to take on the Rangers. Doc Gooden (7-9, 6.01 ERA) will be opposed by Texas hurler Russ Ortiz (3-4, 6.42 ERA). The Angels and Blue Jays will be off tomorrow. THe Blue Jays will be heading to St. Petersburg, Florida to begin a crucial series with the Devil Rays beginning Tuesday.