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Moriarty9 · 02-23-2009, 08:39 PM

Devil Rays win wild one
Tampa Bay on verge of clinching berth
October 1, 1999

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays were down 7-1 early but managed to make a come back and then almost blow it in the ninth agains the New York Yankees.

In the end, it was a 10-9 ballgame that brings Tampa Bay within one win — or one Toronto Blue Jays loss — from winning the American League Wild Card in the franchise's second season.

"It wasn't an easy one but these guys just don't quit and games like this show it," said Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal. "We were a little sloppy early on and the Yankees took advantage of that before these guys stepped up and took care of business."

Veteran outfielder Rickey Henderson pulled a number of the Tampa Bay players aside in the home dugout after a four-run fourth inning for the Yankees. Whatever Henderson said, seemed to work as the team outscored their guests 9-2 from that point on.

"I just talked to the guys about not putting their heads down and drew off experiences," he said. "That's what Rickey does."

Devil Rays slugger Paul Konerko, who hit a solo home run in the seventh inning, credited Henderson with providing a moral boost to the team.

"He's been around this game a long time and has been in playoff races, pennant races, the World Series," Konerko said of Henderson. "He knows his stuff and he's helping us out whether he's in the lineup or not."

02-23-2009, 08:39 PM	#146 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Devil Rays win wild one Tampa Bay on verge of clinching berth October 1, 1999 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays were down 7-1 early but managed to make a come back and then almost blow it in the ninth agains the New York Yankees. In the end, it was a 10-9 ballgame that brings Tampa Bay within one win — or one Toronto Blue Jays loss — from winning the American League Wild Card in the franchise's second season. "It wasn't an easy one but these guys just don't quit and games like this show it," said Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal. "We were a little sloppy early on and the Yankees took advantage of that before these guys stepped up and took care of business." Veteran outfielder Rickey Henderson pulled a number of the Tampa Bay players aside in the home dugout after a four-run fourth inning for the Yankees. Whatever Henderson said, seemed to work as the team outscored their guests 9-2 from that point on. "I just talked to the guys about not putting their heads down and drew off experiences," he said. "That's what Rickey does." Devil Rays slugger Paul Konerko, who hit a solo home run in the seventh inning, credited Henderson with providing a moral boost to the team. "He's been around this game a long time and has been in playoff races, pennant races, the World Series," Konerko said of Henderson. "He knows his stuff and he's helping us out whether he's in the lineup or not."