ARLINGTON, Texas — Brett Phillips squatted at the box crying, and Randy Arozarena used to be at the floor slapping his palms on house plate.
Tears of pleasure, smacks of birthday celebration — and a a very powerful, wild win for the scrappy Tampa Bay Rays.
Light-hitting Phillips delivered a tying unmarried off Kenley Jansen with two outs within the backside of the 9th inning that became the game-ending hit when the Los Angeles Dodgers dropped the ball two times, permitting Arozarena to attain and raise the Rays to an 8-7 victory Saturday night time to even this dramatic World Series at two video games each and every.
“Golly, what a special moment,” Phillips mentioned.
Center fielder Chris Taylor misplayed Phillips’ ball in right-center for an error and chased it down whilst Kevin Kiermaier scored the tying run. Arozarena saved charging round 3rd base however stumbled and fell neatly earlier than attaining house.
He used to be ready to stand up and rating when catcher Will Smith seemed up too early and neglected the relay throw, letting it squirt towards the backstop whilst Arozarena dived on most sensible of the plate.
“Once I saw Randy slip, I was like ‘Aw, shoot, at least we tied it up,’ and then he missed the ball,” Phillipes mentioned. “I don’t know what happened but then he scored. The next thing I know, I’m airplaneing around the outfield and I get dogpiled and here I am.”
Jansen got here on within the 9th for the Dodgers and struck out Yoshi Tsutsugo earlier than a unmarried by way of Kiermaier, the longest-tenured Rays participant. Arozarena, the rookie who previous hit his postseason report 9th homer previous, drew a two-out, full-count stroll to arrange the wild ultimate play.
A 26-year-old from Seminole, Florida, Phillips used to be drafted by way of Houston and performed for Milwaukee and Kansas City earlier than Tampa Bay got him in August for a minor leaguer. Touted for his outfield protection, he hasn’t hit a lot within the majors, finishing the common season with a occupation .202 moderate in 153 video games. He were zero for two within the postseason and hadn’t batted since Game three of the AL Division Series on Oct. 7.
Phillips used to be left off the AL Championship Series roster however shined as a cheerleader, writing up phony scouting reviews on a clipboard touting Arozarena earlier than dancing towards him in battles after the crew locked up the AL pennant.
“What a great team effort on this win. It took almost 28 guys,” Phillips mentioned. “That’s what special about this team. Just all come together, our one goal is to win. We don’t rely on one guy. It takes everyone, and man, baseball is fun.”