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Phillies hope to strengthen grasp on series

Oct 26, 2008 - 1:03 PM World Series Game Four Phillies lead 2-1

Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, 8:00 p.m. EDT

The Philadelphia Phillies hope to press the Tampa Bay Rays to the brink of elimination on Sunday when the teams meet in Game Four of the World Series.

Following an extended rain delay, Philadelphia outlasted Tampa Bay, 5-4, in Game Three on Saturday as Carlos Ruiz hit a bases-loaded dribbler down the third base line to plate Eric Bruntlett with the game-winning run.

Philadelphia also used the long ball as Ruiz, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard all hit solo home runs to back a strong performance from Jamie Moyer. The 45-year-old lefthander gave up three runs over 6 1/3 innings.

Joe Blanton will take the mound for the Phillies, who are 5-0 at home in the postseason.

The righthander has allowed four runs over his two starts in the playoffs, spanning 11 frames. As a member of the Oakland Athletics earlier this season, the 27-year-old gave up four runs over six innings in his lone start against the Rays.

Blanton feels that the familiarity will help him, but is wary of Tampa Bay's offense.

"They're good hitters. They've got a great lineup," Blanton said. "I've always thought of them as athletic hitters. They can really beat you with their legs. And this postseason they've shown a lot of power, as well. There's no breaks and that's one of the reasons they're here."

However, the middle of the Tampa Bay lineup hasn't lived up to its billing.

Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria - the club's No. 3 and 4 hitters, respectively - are a combined 0-for-22.

It is a far dropoff from the American League Championship Series when Longoria smacked four home runs against the Boston Red Sox and Pena had three blasts.

Andy Sonnanstine has won both of his postseason starts for the Rays and will try and even the series for Tampa.

The righthander gave up four runs - three earned - over 7 1/3 innings against the Red Sox on October 14 in his last appearance.