Washington - Jimmy Rollins dodged his way out of a rundown - or did he? - setting up an early run that sent the Philadelphia Phillies toward a 2-0 lead over the Tampa Bay Rays through three innings Sunday night in Game 4 of the World Series. Pat Burrell drew a bases-loaded walk and Pedro Feliz hit an RBI single off a shaky Andy Sonnanstine. But the Phillies again missed a chance to get more - they fell to 4-for-42 with runners in scoring position, including 0-for-13 with the bases loaded. Already ahead two games to one, Joe Blanton and the Phillies looked like a confident bunch playing in a park where they are 5-0 this postseason. Blanton struck out four, again justifying why the Phils traded a top prospect in midseason to get him from Oakland.

The young Rays, however, were rattled, particularly All-Star rookie Evan Longoria. The play at third base in the first inning had a lot to do with it.

After Rollins led off the game with a single, the Phillies put runners at the corners with one out.

Ryan Howard, the major league leader in home runs and RBIs, hit a soft tapper back to Sonnanstine as Rollins broke home. Caught in the middle, Rollins retreated while Sonnanstine chased him.

Sonnanstine flipped the ball to Longoria, who swiped his glove at the diving Rollins. Third-base umpire Tim Welke signaled safe, and Longoria punched the air as manager Joe Maddon came out to argue.

A TV replay appeared to show Longoria tagged Rollins on the backside. This is the first postseason where baseball is using replay - but only to review home-run calls.

Burrell was up next and drew a walk for a 1-0 lead. The Phillies squandered a chance for a really big inning when Shane Victorino hit into a forceout at the plate - Sonnanstine made a nifty flip home with his glove - and Pedro Feliz flied out.

An error by sure-handed second baseman Akinori Iwamura set up an RBI single by Feliz in the third.

Longoria struck out in his first at-bat, leaving him 0-for-13 in the Series. He again heard it from the fans, who mockingly serenaded him with chants of "E-va, E-va."



Written By MIKE FITZPATRICK

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