What a way to end a World Series game. Down 2-1 in the series, the Tampa Bay Rays needed a win desperately. However, the Los Angeles Dodgers entered the ninth inning with a 7-6 lead in the game.
That all changed when Brett Phillips stepped up to the plate. With runners on first and second and two outs, Phillips looped a hit into centerfield.
It would have been good enough to bring one run home and tie the game. But then centerfielder Chris Taylor bobbled the ball, and thatās when insanity ensued.
THE ENDING OF RAYS-DODGERS IN GAME 4: pic.twitter.com/6vMnHGpYdq
ā ESPN (@espn) October 25, 2020
Kevin Kiermaier would have scored anyways and tied the game. The bobble gave Randy Arozarena a chance to steal the victory from the jaws of defeater (or extra innings).
He decided to sprint home, and was set to be gunned out at the plate. He turned back to go to third in hopes that he could get out of a pickle. Instead the throw home was a bad one, and he made another turn and slide home safely for the win.
Absolute pandemonium, where even to begin.
How about Phillips being the Raysā hero? He hit .196 in the regular season with five RBI. In the postseason he was 0-for-2. The entire postseason he was just 0-for-2.
Now heās the hero of Tampa Bay. The man that took them to Game 5 tied up 2-2 in the series.
From here, anything can happen.
Then there is just the disastrous play. Poor Taylor in centerfield. Usually a sure-handed utility-man that can be trusted to play multiple positions, he bobbled the ballĀ then made a bad throw. Yikes.
This was absolutely mind-boggling though. What an incredible finish to the game. It also ensures that this World Series between the Rays and Dodgers will be going at least six games. Based on the first four games, thatās great news as this has been wildly entertaining.
A lot of people had the Dodgers winning heading into the series. At this point the Rays have likely changed some peopleās minds.
Even the people that had Tampa Bay winning probably werenāt expecting Phillips to play the hero role though.
What a certifiably wild ending.