Wow, what an amazing game!  Evan Longoria once again showed the nation why he deserves to be Rookie of the Year.  He was a stud at the plate!  Longo ended his day going 3 for 3 with 2 Home Runs, a single, a BB with 2 runs scored, 3 RBIs and a stolen base!  Yes, that’s right, 2 Home Runs!  Only the second time in postseason history a player has belted 2 home runs in his first 2 postseason at bats, the first by a rookie!  Ironically the only other player to do this is Rays AAA hitting Coach Gary Gaetti.  Longo approached the dish each at bat and looked like he had about 10 years experience.  Clearly the postseason is not going to rattle him or his teammates.                                           

James Shields did an outstanding job of limiting the White Sox big play offense.  He did give up a 3 run blast to Dewayne Wise but aside from that the Sox bats were ineffective against him.  He went a strong 6.1 innings, scattering 5 hits and compiling 4 K’s along the way.  \

The huge play in this game came in the 7^th inning with bases loaded.  Grant Balfour replaced Shields with 1 out.  The Aussie struck out Uribe for the 2^nd out.  Next to the plate Orlando Cabrera.  The first pitch to him was outside and apparently Cabrera wanted something better — he kicked dirt in the direction of Balfour.  Well the Thunder from Down Under did not appreciate that and a war of words broke out.  Grant Balfour eventually strode to back to the top of the hill and proceeded to blow to hard fastballs right by Cabrera for the huge K!  On his way to the dugout Balfour pointed at Cabrera and told him to sit down!   It was awesome!  I was at The Trop and the crowd exploded!  The energy in that dome was amazing!  From that point you felt like the game was over.   

The Rays have shown the rest of MLB that they will no longer be a door mat for anyone.  That began with Elliot Johnson running over the Yankee catcher in spring training.  It has not stopped.  The Rays are confident in the fact they can beat anyone, they’ve done it all season.  They fear no team!

Can’t wait to get back to The Trop!