Game Recap #15 Tampa Bay Rays @ Philadelphia Phillies

After a rainout yesterday, the Tampa Bay Rays got to play the Philadelphia Phillies as Citizens Bank Park, and tonight proved to be a night for records and milestones. The game didn't get going quickly though, as both Tampa Bay starter James Shields and Philadelphia starter Kyle Kendrick handled the first inning well. Kendrick tasted the first adversity in the second inning, as Ben Zobrist singled his way aboard and Jose Lobaton walked to put him in jam, before Jeff Keppinger ripped a double to bring both of them in. Shields later grounded out to get Keppinger home after he advanced to third on an error by Michael Martinez. Philadelphia clawed back, as Jimmy Rollins took Shields deep in the third inning, scoring Kendrick, who was on thanks to a walk. The Phillies were able to get a lead in the fourth inning, as pinch-hitter Mike Fontenot and Rollins both got aboard with singles, setting up a rarity from Juan Pierre, a three-run home run. Pierre, primarily known for his speed, added two stolen bases during the game. Kendrick ended the day with four inefficient innings pitched, six hits and three walks producing three runs, two earned, while striking out six. Shields was gone after five innings, giving up seven hits and a walk, and five earned runs, striking out seven. From their, the bullpens started out pretty well, with Raul Valdes and J.P. Howell keeping the scoreboard clean through the sixth inning. Chad Qualls did just as well in the seventh, but his counterpart, Brandon Gomes, gave up an RBI single to Carlos Ruiz, scoring Pierre. Working from a hole, the Rays chipped back on Antonio Bastardo in the eighth inning, as Sean Rodriguez singled after the bases had been loaded, bringing in Zobrist. The next man in the Phillies pen, Jonathan Papelbon, was no better, giving up singles to Keppinger and Brooks Conrad, allowing the tying runs to come in, with both Hideki Matsui and pinch-runner Chris Archer scoring. Philadelphia would get the last laugh, as Jake McGee gave up a Jim Thome long ball to end the game in the bottom of the night. Here's where the record comes in: Thome's home run, the 609th of his career, stands as his thirteenth walkoff home run, most in MLB history. As I said the last time we saw the Phillies, Thome is easily one of the best players of his generation, and the record certainly shows for it. The win was also special for manager Charlie Manuel, as it was his 900th victory. As for the Rays, they had to be proud of utility man Keppinger, as he got a spot start tonight at third and eventually shifted over to first, going five for five and knocking in three runs in the process. All around a special night that we proved to be destined to see after the rains made us change our plans on the fly yesterday.