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Moriarty9 · 10-19-2009, 12:40 PM

Royals advance to ALCS
Devil Rays left stunned at the Trop
October 13, 2009

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays will not win a third consecutive World Series this season as the team with the best record in baseball was ousted by the Kansas City Royals in Game 5 of the American League Division Series.

As he did in Game 2 of the ALDS, Royals pitcher Joe Blanton was fantastic. Blanton worked eight scoreless innings, holding Tampa Bay to just four hits and two walks before handing it off to the bullpen for a scoreless ninth inning.

Jon Lester was fantastic for the Devil Rays, but made one mistake that leadoff hitter Marlon Byrd hit out of the park for a two-run home run and the only real offense in Kansas City's 2-0 win.

Lester gave up two runs on just two hits and four walks in eight innings. Jonathan Papelbon worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning for Tampa Bay.

Byrd's home run, which followed a Brandon Wood walk, was the first hit of the game for the Royals, and put an end to Lester's no-hit bid, his shutout, and eventually the Devil Rays season.

"Blanton really did a number on us in this series," said Tampa Bay manager Christian O'Neal. "We had no answer for him."

O'Neal also praised Lester.

"He's hit with the loss in a really big game but he pitched his heart out and nobody blames Jon Lester for this at all," the skipper said. "The kid gives up two hits in eight innings and we lose. It's a tough loss, but he pitched great."

The Royals will play the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Championship Series in hopes of playing the Arizona Diamondbacks or Houston Astros in the World Series.

10-19-2009, 12:40 PM	#631 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,858 Thanks: 10 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Royals advance to ALCS Devil Rays left stunned at the Trop October 13, 2009 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays will not win a third consecutive World Series this season as the team with the best record in baseball was ousted by the Kansas City Royals in Game 5 of the American League Division Series. As he did in Game 2 of the ALDS, Royals pitcher Joe Blanton was fantastic. Blanton worked eight scoreless innings, holding Tampa Bay to just four hits and two walks before handing it off to the bullpen for a scoreless ninth inning. Jon Lester was fantastic for the Devil Rays, but made one mistake that leadoff hitter Marlon Byrd hit out of the park for a two-run home run and the only real offense in Kansas City's 2-0 win. Lester gave up two runs on just two hits and four walks in eight innings. Jonathan Papelbon worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning for Tampa Bay. Byrd's home run, which followed a Brandon Wood walk, was the first hit of the game for the Royals, and put an end to Lester's no-hit bid, his shutout, and eventually the Devil Rays season. "Blanton really did a number on us in this series," said Tampa Bay manager Christian O'Neal. "We had no answer for him." O'Neal also praised Lester. "He's hit with the loss in a really big game but he pitched his heart out and nobody blames Jon Lester for this at all," the skipper said. "The kid gives up two hits in eight innings and we lose. It's a tough loss, but he pitched great." The Royals will play the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Championship Series in hopes of playing the Arizona Diamondbacks or Houston Astros in the World Series.