Iwamura Socks It to Chicago in Game 2
Rays 6, White Sox 2
Tampa Bay Rays' Evan Longoria (3) runs to first base still holding his bat after hitting a solo home run against the Chicago White Sox during the second inning of Game 1 of baseball's American League division series in St. Petersburg, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
(Mike Carlson - AP)
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Saturday, October 4, 2008
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Oct. 3 -- Young, resilient and a victory away from the American League Championship Series. The Rays are breezing through the playoffs, much as they did during the regular season.
All-star Scott Kazmir settled down after a shaky start, Akinori Iwamura hit a go-ahead, two-run homer and the AL East champions beat the Chicago White Sox, 6-2, on Friday night for a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.
"This is just awesome," said Rocco Baldelli, who singled in a run.
Giving many fans a close-up look of the formula that transformed Tampa Bay from a last-place team to a power, the Rays rallied for the second straight day and remained undefeated in their young postseason history.
"I like the attitude. I like the way we're going about our business," Manager Joe Maddon said.
The Rays go for a sweep when the series resumes Sunday in Chicago. Tampa Bay's Matt Garza (11-9) faces John Danks (12-9), trying to seal a matchup against World Series champion Boston or the Los Angeles Angels in the next round.
"We're a relaxed bunch," Baldelli said. "We chill out in the clubhouse. We have fun. That's what got us here."
Since 1995, only four teams have come back from an 0-2 deficit to win a division series.
But the Rays, who won 97 games this year after finishing with the worst record in the majors a year ago, aren't taking anything for granted.
"These are the Chicago White Sox. They're a veteran team. They can come back and win three easy if you let them," pitcher J.P. Howell said. "We gotta go like we have been."
It's been a bleak October for both Chicago teams. The Cubs lost their first two NL playoff games at home to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
