Hat tip to Jamie Moyer

[WilliamPitt]

(snip)

The Phillies built a 4-1 lead for Moyer on an early home run by Ruiz and consecutive shots by Utley and Howard in the sixth. But it was the little hit that was the biggest of all.

J.C. Romero wound up with the win.

Minus Moyer, the Rays sped back to tie as B.J. Upton became the first AL player to steal three bases in a Series game.

Upton beat out an infield single to open the eighth, swiped second and third on consecutive pitches, and dashed home on a wild throw by Ruiz to make it 4-all.

Tampa Bay's rally dampened the moment Moyer waited for his whole life. The 45-year-old lefty finally got to pitch in the World Series and threw a game that defines his career, bedeviling the Rays with his slo-mo repertoire.

"I think it exceeded every expectation or thought or dream," Moyer said.

Moyer, already a pro before Rays stars Longoria and Upton were born, demonstrated exactly how he's earned 246 major league victories. He struck out both All-Stars with 74 mph changeups, and made the entire lineup look foolish with tentative swings.

Moyer became the second-oldest player in Series history -- Jack Quinn was 47 when he pitched for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1930 -- yet showed he was still spry. He belly-flopped along the first-base line to field Carl Crawford's bunt, and flipped the ball with his glove.

And while millions of people may have switched the TV channel to watch "Saturday Night Live" open with one of their popular political skits, surely baseball fans all over were laughing at watching Moyer pitch a game for the aged.

Hit hard in two losses in the NL playoffs, Moyer left in the seventh with a 4-2 lead after an RBI grounder by Gabe Gross. He tipped his cap toward plate umpire Fieldin Culbreth and then to the crowd that gave him a rousing standing ovation.

More: http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=281025122

[Voltaire]

1. Never a doubt

Moyer is a crafty junk ball pitcher, perfect for the elements and for a fastball hitting team like the Rays.

[WilliamPitt]

2. How do you think he will do if they need him for another start?

This is nothing more than a hunch, but it just smells like this thing is going seven. Is Moyer dependable enough to be the seventh-game close-out world-series-clinching starter if need be?

[Voltaire]

3. If it goes 7. . .

I think he starts but on a real short hook. Maddon had the right idea for his players, move up closer in the batter's box, but only one or two of them took the advice. More of them will next time, it works. Moyer and Hamels are the best on the staff in a pressure game so I would not worry from a mental standpoint about Moyer. But I think it would go Moyer and then by committee if he gets in trouble game 7. Hamels can go, Blanton will be able to go, we got J. A. Happ for long relief if we need him, the Rays wouldn't know him and that could be to our advantage.

The thing is not to get to game 7. I hope Blanton can win tonight and the Phillies bats come alive in a slugfest; I think both teams are in hitting slumps and we are about due for a fireworks game. I think it will be tonight. If the Phils can win it tonight, its over tomorrow night, cuz Hamels is a pressure game pitcher like Schilling used to be when we had him.

[opiate69]

4. I had the pleasure of watching Moyer for years in Seattle..

And when he's hitting his spots with his change-up, I'd definitely feel comfortable starting him in a game 7. He keeps detailed records of every batter he faces, and is truly the classic "thinking-man's" pitcher.