[jg2977]

Joe Buck:
Welcome back to Tropicana Field. If you like offense, drama, and a little bit of chaos, this one had all of it. The Tampa Bay Rays walk it off, 12–11, over the Texas Rangers to sweep the Wild Card Series and move on.
Tim McCarver:
Joe, this game felt like it changed personalities every inning. Texas kept landing punches, Tampa kept answering. And in the end, it came down to the man who defined the series — Rod Francia.
Joe Buck:
Let’s start at the finish. Bottom of the ninth, Rays down a run. Francia steps in against Ryan Nichols… and sends a solo home run into right. Tie game. Tropicana Field explodes.
Tim McCarver:
That’s a hitter who knows the moment. Francia wasn’t trying to do too much — he got a pitch he could handle and didn’t miss it. That was his third home run of the series, and it completely flipped the pressure.
Joe Buck:
And Tampa wasn’t done. Francisco Hernandez draws the walk, Johnny Nava drops down a perfect bunt, and suddenly Texas is scrambling. A fielder’s choice moves the tying run to third…
Tim McCarver:
…and then William Gama does exactly what you’re taught as a hitter — short, compact swing, line drive through the infield. Ballgame. Rays win it, 12–11.
Joe Buck:
Earlier, this looked like it might be Texas’ night. They scored four runs in the fifth, then rallied again in the eighth with three more to retake the lead, 11–10.
Tim McCarver:
But Joe, the Rangers never could put Tampa away. And when you let a lineup like this hang around — especially one that runs the bases well and puts the ball in play — you’re asking for trouble.
Joe Buck:
Francia finishes the game 3-for-5, three runs scored, three driven in, including the tying homer in the ninth. He’s your Wild Card Series MVP, hitting .500 with power and patience.
Tim McCarver:
And don’t overlook Tampa Bay’s resilience. They didn’t pitch particularly cleanly, they made a few mistakes defensively, but they stayed aggressive. They kept forcing Texas to make decisions — and Texas blinked.
Joe Buck:
So the Rays sweep the series and now move on to face the New York Yankees in the Division Series. That matchup coming up next.
Tim McCarver:
If this series is any indication, Joe, Tampa Bay is dangerous — because they don’t panic, and they don’t stop playing offense.
Joe Buck:
Final from St. Petersburg: Rays 12, Rangers 11. Tampa Bay survives, advances, and sends a message to the rest of the American League.