Phillies Reign As World Series Champs

Philadelphia Wins Championship As They Top Tampa Bay 4-3 To Take Rain-Shortened Game 5

(AP)  Mr. Perfect got the biggest save of his career.

Just like he did all season, Brad Lidge nailed down Philadelphia's 4-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in Wednesday night's completion of a suspended Game 5, securing the Phillies' second World Series championship in the franchise's 126-year history.

"It's perfection shared with everybody else in here," Lidge said while being given a champagne shower in the clubhouse. "Without them, it couldn't happen."

Lidge, 41-for-41 in save chances during the regular season, earned his seventh save in as many tries in the postseason by pitching out of trouble in the ninth.

He retired Evan Longoria on a popup leading off the inning, but Dioner Navarro singled. Pinch-runner Fernando Perez stole second before Ben Zobrist lined out to right for the second out.

Lidge then struck out Eric Hinske swinging on a nasty slider to end it. Lidge dropped to his knees and raised his arms in the air, screaming "We did it!" Catcher Carlos Ruiz ran out and jumped on Lidge and starting with a big tackle from Ryan Howard, everyone piled on.

"I've never been so happy to get hit so hard," Lidge said of taking Howard's charge.

A crowd of 44,000-plus fans who returned to Citizens Bank Park two days after this game started were biting their fingernails - or gloves in the bitter cold - with the tying run on second base.

Even general manager Pat Gillick thought maybe Lidge was due to finally blow one.

"I thought the law of averages would catch up with our closer tonight, but he hung in there and did a great job," Gillick said.

It was fitting that Lidge got the last out. The Phillies wouldn't have gotten this far without the closer who was exiled from Houston - and the rest of their stellar relievers.

"It's unbelievable, unheard of what he did this season," setup man Ryan Madson said. "If he's not perfect, we're in a predicament."

The bullpen led the NL in ERA (3.22) and winning percentage (.589) during the regular season, and was even better in the playoffs.

They were the biggest reason the Phillies were 89-0 this year when leading after eight innings - including 10 postseason wins.

Before coming to Philadelphia, Lidge was best remembered for allowing that mammoth homer to St. Louis' Albert Pujols in the 2005 NL championship series.

"That's behind him," Phillies starter Jamie Moyer said. "I think we can all put that away and talk about the good that he's done. He's had a perfect season. I don't think there's any reason to dwell on the past."

Lidge was rejuvenated with the Phillies. He was 2-0 with a 1.95 ERA and saved each of his 48 opportunities.

J.C. Romero, who got the win in Game 5, made sure Lidge had a chance to save this one, getting four outs. He allowed a leadoff single to Carl Crawford in the eighth, but got B.J. Upton to ground into a double play.

Madson, solid throughout the postseason, gave up Rocco Baldelli's tying homer with one out in the seventh after the Phillies had taken a 3-2 lead. But Romero and Lidge slammed the door and the party was on.

"It had to be won here," Lidge said. "The fans deserve it. It had to be here. You go through a lot to be in this position. I wouldn't change anything in my career. It got me all right here, right now. This is the best it'll ever be."

[gotagrip]

Baseball needs to make some changes. This playing late night games in bad weather is crazy. If this had gone 7 games, we''d be playing in November! Its already fallen below football and may soon drop below basketball in popularity. Its boring! You can watch most of a game during the commercial breaks on another show!

[mark46n]

I''m a Rays fan but must say congratulations to the Phillies your the Champs. Our boys from St. Petersburg NOT Tampa will be back stronger then ever next year and I cant wait till next season. Go RAYS 2009

[republic1776]

I wondered why I heard screaming outside to night.
I thought there was a riot....
I am not a sports fan, I live in Philly... LOL

[juwboy]

gotagrip:

The World Series HAS been played in November -- in 1989.

[j_flood]

Go Rays!
Congrats Phillies...

[petro49l]

Philadelphia has never won the Superbowl (NFC v. AFC). The Eagles should draft a Pro Bowl Linebacker. Don''t let the Phils grab all the headlines.

[armydog2]

Way to go Phillies!!!!!
Now the great state of Pennsylvania the home of the World Series Champs will put Senator Obama in the Whitehouse.It''s a win, win situation!!!

[au_fait]

mark11a_99

I agree with you GO RAYs in 2009.

[mark46n]

Every baseball fan out their that thinks that the late start times are a terrible idea needs to e-mail MLB to let them know how they feel. Even the regular season games here in Florida are mostly all 8 to 8:30 start times and it''s tough to stay up that late on work nights when you have to be up at 5am. I realize you cant please all the people all the time but if it''s 2 east coast teams playing let them start at 7pm.

[petro49l]

Cole Hamels should be given the win for Game 5 of the WS. The original rules of MLB were liberal and awarded most wins to the starting pitcher. Conservative opinion changed the rules so J.C. Romero is the winning pitcher. Cole left the game leading by one run in the seventh inning. He should be credited as the winning pitcher of Games 1 and 5.

[b0bbytspin]

You know what I changed my mind about Obama! I think he will be better for national security and the economy!

Plus sarah palin $150,000.00 on clothes, most Americans could have bought a home for that amount!

Besides I think Sarah Palin is really a Terrorist

Breaking News: The Terrorist Group AKA Alaska Independent party Calling on Russia to help secede from the Union
www.chilitoz.com
Extremists Mark Chryson and Steve Stoll former leaders of the Alaska Terrorist group AKA Independence Party and friends of Sarah Palin are calling on Russia to help them gain independence from the United States.

Watch video of Sarah palin addressing The Alaska Terrorist Group also known as The Independence party. They are calling for a civil war against the mainland.
www.chilitoz.com

[secundus2]

What does baseball want in regard to the World Series? Better conditions for playing the game or money? If the former, play in the daytime.

[nlm2383]

I''m just glad it wasn''t the Yankees again...

[questionnews]

Isn''t it amazing that a sporting event with the title of "World Series" is won by a team from the USA every year!!

[dennisam01]

Way to Go Phillies Congrats on the World Series !!!! You deserved it I hope to see you there next yr. Rays Congrats on your season I hope to see you there next yr too I am tired of the Sox and Yankees and whoever they beat from the NL .

[fisherge]

WAY TO GO PHILLIES! I AGREE, THE GAMES SHOULD START AT 7:00PM.. THE GAME TUES. WOULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETED IF THEY STARTED AT 7:OOPM..