Moyer Conquers His Dreams With Sparkling Outing
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Sun, October 26, 2008 10:17 AM | Comments: 17
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In the top of the fourth inning, Jamie Moyer stared in at Carlos Ruiz with BJ Upton at the plate. The young Bossman Junior took a changeup low. Then he swung at a changeup away. The third pitch: the same pitch. Strike two looking. What was coming next? Moyer got his sign, set, and hurled a fourth changeup. This one landed low and inside, just over the side of the plate for strike three. Upton sat down, another grimacing victim of Moyer’s guile.
When you look back at great postseason starts this year, you’ll see Cole Hamels’ myriad performances. Then you’ll see this — Moyer’s little masterpiece, the game that epitomized the 45-year-old lefty’s person. Charlie Manuel:
“After all these years I think he’s earned the right to start in a game in the World Series. I think he’s one of the big reasons we’re here today. He won 16 games this year, and at one time this guy was our most consistent pitcher, whether you believe it or not.”
Moyer’s stat line shows three earned runs. The first came by a squib double, a stolen base and sac fly. The second came and third came by groundouts, though we can say with confidence a blown safe call would’ve erased those runs from existence. The Rays got their runs off Moyer via a little luck, a smidge of speed and a couple nice bounces. I’d call that a victory.
Go back to the tape and see Moyer painting the corners like a professional. The FOX graphic depicting his strike zone (three inches outside, an inch inside) couldn’t have been more accurate. Moyer worked that puppy like he had been using it for 22 years or something.
No play, however, epitomized Moyer’s fantastic night than that blown call. No, not because of the call, but because of Moyer’s stupendous diving play beforehand. Full extension, he scooped the dribbling ball and shoveled it perfectly to Ryan Howard’s bare hand. Look at it again: A 45-year-old man made that play.
Kudos, Jamie. He hit the hill, fulfilling his dream, then conquered the moment just the way we knew he would.
Posts: 0 NEPA
Yea, good job calling that Tim. I was far less confident in Moyer going deep into the game until I saw the first at bat of the game. Moyer was getting the corners which is extremely telling of how the game will play out. A few different calls/bounces go our way and that game isn’t such a nail biter. But its a game I’ll remember for a long long time.
Posted: 10:24 AM on October 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Matt
Quite honestly, we’re dominating this series. If we could hit with runners in scoring position at all, it wouldn’t even be close.
Posted: 10:39 AM on October 26, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
The Ray’s only have 3 RBI hits this series. The rest of their runs have come on errors, Sac flys and those pesky RBI groundouts. Neither team has hit well whatsoever. Though last night showed some signs of the bats heating up as far as power-wise.
Posted: 10:47 AM on October 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Jamie
Tim/Brian/Rob, check your email. I’ve uploaded a bunch of audio clips from last night’s epic performance for all to enjoy!
Posted: 11:20 AM on October 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Jamie
Matt, you’re right. We SHOULD have won Game 2 if we could just have gotten a few of those 13 RISP in. Just three would have done it. Then we’d be up 3-0 and the sports world would still be talking about how dang good those Rays are with their cool haircuts!
Posted: 11:22 AM on October 26, 2008
Posts: 0 NC Jason
Moyer pitched a hell of a game. I really wished he had received the win. Has anyone else noticed Jenkins throughout the playoffs? He has been one of the biggest supporters and bench cheerleaders. Although I was upset with the way he preformed this year it is really cool to see someone who is not playing not pouting and cheering on his mates.
Posted: 11:36 AM on October 26, 2008
Posts: 0 KM
Moyer pitched a solid game, and had the Rays hitters off balance all night.
Lets hope Blanton can keep us in the game tonight, and we can go into Monday with a 3-1 lead with Cole on the mound.
Posted: 12:11 PM on October 26, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
Tonight will be a very frustrating game if we can’t hit Sonnanstine around a little. If we don’t jump all over him we’re all going to be sitting on here wondering why he’s not getting hit. I hate games like those. Tonight is such a huge game. If we were to win, I don’t know what I’ll do with myself all day Monday knowing we are up 3-1 with Cole on the mound.
Posted: 12:23 PM on October 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike
Sonnanstine has a +4 era. We should be able to hit him around a bit.
BTW, why is every Ray’s pitcher heralded by the media as the 2nd coming of C Young? They’ve got a bunch of decent pitchers, it’s true, but currently there are only two top-notch pitchers in the series and neither of them play for the Rays.
Price might be there in a couple years, but when Eric Bruntlett hits a home run off of you, I’d say you’re not quite top-notch yet.
Posted: 12:34 PM on October 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Chuck
I saw Sonnanstine last year against the Orioles at Camden Yards. He was really crafty and effective in that game (granted, he was facing the O’s) but that’s how he is. If we can jump out early I think he will be rattled and off his game.
Posted: 01:19 PM on October 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
Just found out my uncle is taking me to the game, for FACE VALUE, $150……I’m insection 429 tonight!!! HOLY COW!!
Posted: 01:22 PM on October 26, 2008
Posts: 0 SJ Mike
Congrats Don. Have a great time at the game!
Posted: 01:29 PM on October 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
I might go streaking… you know, become famous and stuff
Posted: 01:30 PM on October 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Philly Fan from NY
Moyer definitely deserved to be the Player of the game!!!!!!
Posted: 03:10 PM on October 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Evrybuddy Hits woohoo
Way to go old man!!!
I loved the Rays introduction song, Fish Fish Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish. Let’s get the crowd to sing that when a reliever somes in tonight.
Posted: 03:55 PM on October 26, 2008
Posts: 0 MikeMc26
Local Kid makes good in the World Series. He pitched a great game!
Posted: 06:47 PM on October 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Phillies Phan SC
Don M, yes we can see you on mugshots.com then
Posted: 01:15 AM on October 27, 2008