It Was That Special


Saturday night served up everything you'd want in a great post-season game: this suspenseful, quirky and totally captivating four hours and ten minutes showcased the national pastime as it should be.

You had a hunch things were going to be special when Justin Turner homered in the top of the first inning. In a flash, the Dodgers 3rd baseman accomplished something we'd never seen before in 117 years of World Series history: first inning home runs in the consecutive games. No one, not Rickey Henderson, Derek Jeter, Lou Brock or even Babe Ruth, had ever rocked the start of back-to-back games that way in baseball's fall classic.

The night got better from there, with dramartic lead changes, clutch hitting, pinpoint pitching, all designed to keep you on the edge of your seat. And it did! In a year when nothing is normal and all sports feel a little (or a lot off stride), baseball gave us one for the ages.

Kevin Kiermaier had already written his name into the story with a game-tying 7th inning homer. But the magic really played out two innings later. With the Dodgers leading 7-6, thanks to a Corey Seager home run, the Rays center fielder sparked his team in the bottom of the 9th, with a broken-bat one-out single that eluded Enrique Hernandez's glove by an inch or two. After Joey Wendle flied out, breakthrough star Randy Arozarena walked. Two outs, two on, Tampa Bay down one as Brett Phillips punched a Kenley Jansen fastball into center field -- as the wackiest 15 seconds of any World Series game started to tick off. Phillips' single bounced away from LA's Chris Taylor, assuring that Kiermaier would score to tie the game. It must've clued Arozarena that he'd have the chance to make 3rd base -- and more. Rounding third, his eyes set on home plate... the breakthrough star stumbled... and tumbled... rolling over like a wooden barrel at an oldtime brewery. Then, back on his feet, halfway down the basepath, worried about being caught by a relay home -- which got away from Dodger catcher Will Smith. Ballgame over! 

How many different things has to occur on that final at bat for Tampa Bay to script an 8-7 win to tie the World Series? And they had to happen "just right" or the outcome might have been different.

If you didn't see it live, don't miss the replay: https://youtu.be/FbS65SKh3Hw . You won't be disappointed.



 

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