Jeremy Hellickson throws a pitch in his major league debut against the Minnesota Twins at Tropicana Field, 8/2/10. (Credit: Jeff Griffith-US PRESSWIRE)
St. Petersburg, Florida -- It's do or die time for the Tampa Bay Rays. The team must win Tuesday to keep its World Series hopes alive.
The Texas Rangers are now leading the American League Division Series 2-1 after the Rays fell one run short of victory Monday at Tropicana Field.
It's almost cruel.
Photo Gallery: ALDS Game 3
After seeing the heroics of that comeback in the final game of the regular season, watching Monday's game was especially a pulse-pounder.
As the Rays trailed by one, fans kept thinking -- THIS could be the swing -- THIS could be the one -- that gets them back in it.
But it wasn't to be.
Here's how it shakes out:
If the Rays lose at 2:07 p.m. Tuesday, this stunning season ends.
Win, and the Rays live to play another day.
That other day would be Thursday, in a deciding Game 5 in Texas.
The Rays hung around Monday and wouldn't go down without a battle.
Casey Kotchman snagged what would have been a hit right out of the sky.
David Price picked off a runner that really helped him stay in control.
Desmond Jennings clobbered two home runs.
But relief pitchers Brandon Gomes and J.P. Howell crumbled under the playoff pressure.
Their early lead gone, the Rays kept getting close -- then coming up short of the one run they needed to close the gap in the 4-3 score.
In the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings, runners who would have tied the game were never driven home.
The Trop was filled with energy and fans -- a sellout crowd of 33,000.
There are still tickets on sale for Tuesday's game. It's at 2:07, with Jeremy Hellickson pitching for the Rays.
If they can win this one, and keep that magic going, the Rays will play in ALDS Game 5 in Arlington, Texas on Thursday at 5:07 Eastern Time.
Grayson Kamm, 10 News