Neither, it turned out, were solo home runs by Carlos Ruiz, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard that gave the Phillies a three-run lead in the sixth inning. The resilient Rays ran their way back into the game against the Phillies' staunch bullpen, tying the score in the eighth on two stolen bases and a throwing error by catcher Carlos Ruiz.

Ultimately, to complete a stirring 5-4 win, the Phillies needed Ruiz's 30-foot RBI dribbler down the third-base line, only their second hit in 33 chances with runners in scoring position.

"If it's a hit, I'll take it," Ruiz said after that dribbler, with the bases loaded, scored Eric Bruntlett at 1:47 a.m. Eastern with the run that gave the Phillies a 2-1 edge in the Series. "It was a great moment. I'll remember it for the rest of my life."

The winning rally was started by, of all things, light-hitting Bruntlett getting hit by a pitch. He bolted for second base when reliever Grant Balfour threw a wild pitch, although he wasn't sure he'd make it after the ball bounced back to catcher Dioner Navarro. When Navarro's errant throw went into center field, however, Bruntlett scurried to third.

"There was moment there where I thought maybe he had a play on me," Bruntlett said. "I kind of felt like I was running in quicksand."

But that was nothing compared to his 90-foot race to home plate. After the Rays walked Shane Victorino and pinch-hitting Greg Dobbs intentionally, third baseman Evan Longoria fielded Ruiz's topper down the line. But he couldn't make a play at the plate, throwing the ball over Navarro's head as Bruntlett slid home safely.

"It felt like it was happening in slow motion," Bruntlett said. "I wanted to go faster, but I couldn't."

With that, the Phillies took a 2-1 lead in the Series, and if they win Sunday night behind right-hander Joe Blanton, they'll have a chance Monday night with ace lefty Cole Hamels on the mound to clinch their first championship since 1980 and only the second in their 126-year history.

PHILLIES 5, RAYS 4: Carlos Ruiz's 30-foot dribbler down the third-base line scored Eric Bruntlett in the ninth inning to give the Phillies a 2-1 lead in the World Series. Ruiz also hit a solo home run in the second inning. Chase Utley and Ryan Howard hit back-to-back solo shots in the sixth. Jamie Moyer allowed three runs on five hits (two infield singles) in 6 1/3 innings. J.C. Romero picked up the victory for the Phillies after pitching a scoreless ninth.