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Moriarty9 · 06-09-2009, 02:52 PM

Heading to the World Series
Six-run eighth inning decides fate of ALCS
October 16, 2003

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A devastating six-run eighth inning for the Seattle Mariners have propelled the Tampa Bay Devil Rays into their first World Series appearance, just six years into the franchise’s existence.

The Devil Rays defeated the Mariners 9-3 in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series tonight, securing their first pennant.

“I’m really proud of these guys,” said Tampa Bay manager Christian O’Neal. “They fought all year to get here and now we’ve got one more hurdle to clear.”

The Devil Rays were trailing 3-1 with just seven outs remaining in the game when they began their attack. With two out in the seventh, Jimmy Rollins hit a double to extend the inning and bring Garret Anderson to the plate. Anderson capitalized by hitting a two-run shot to deep right field for a game-tying home run.

Tampa Bay would take the lead and create some insurance in the bottom of the eighth inning. After back-to-back singles from Aubrey Huff and Eric Munson to open the inning, Mariners hurler Francis Beltran buckled down to record the next two outs, and it appeared the game may head into the ninth still knotted up at three runs per team. A wild pitch then allowed Huff to score, giving the Devil Rays the slim 4-3 lead. Beltran then walked Craig Wilson and gave up a RBI single to Aaron Rowand, making it 5-3. John Riedling came on and quickly induced a grounder back to the mound off the bat of Jimmy Rollins, but Riedling bobbled the ball as he tried to make the throw to first before getting a grip on it, loading the bases. Anderson knocked in a run with a single, Carlos Beltran and Huff were each walked to push across runs, and Munson capped it off with a RBI single of his own.

06-09-2009, 02:52 PM	#362 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,858 Thanks: 10 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Heading to the World Series Six-run eighth inning decides fate of ALCS October 16, 2003 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A devastating six-run eighth inning for the Seattle Mariners have propelled the Tampa Bay Devil Rays into their first World Series appearance, just six years into the franchise’s existence. The Devil Rays defeated the Mariners 9-3 in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series tonight, securing their first pennant. “I’m really proud of these guys,” said Tampa Bay manager Christian O’Neal. “They fought all year to get here and now we’ve got one more hurdle to clear.” The Devil Rays were trailing 3-1 with just seven outs remaining in the game when they began their attack. With two out in the seventh, Jimmy Rollins hit a double to extend the inning and bring Garret Anderson to the plate. Anderson capitalized by hitting a two-run shot to deep right field for a game-tying home run. Tampa Bay would take the lead and create some insurance in the bottom of the eighth inning. After back-to-back singles from Aubrey Huff and Eric Munson to open the inning, Mariners hurler Francis Beltran buckled down to record the next two outs, and it appeared the game may head into the ninth still knotted up at three runs per team. A wild pitch then allowed Huff to score, giving the Devil Rays the slim 4-3 lead. Beltran then walked Craig Wilson and gave up a RBI single to Aaron Rowand, making it 5-3. John Riedling came on and quickly induced a grounder back to the mound off the bat of Jimmy Rollins, but Riedling bobbled the ball as he tried to make the throw to first before getting a grip on it, loading the bases. Anderson knocked in a run with a single, Carlos Beltran and Huff were each walked to push across runs, and Munson capped it off with a RBI single of his own.