by Gerry Fraley, Special to FOXSports.com

Percival missed one hellacious party, and the debut of the Rays' closer for the World Series.

Phantastic Phils

	World Series Phillies win 4-1
Kriegel: Phils win is vindicating Rosenthal: Rotation was the difference Perry: 10 keys to Phillies' victory Ringolsby: Manuel reaches pinnacle PHOTOS: Phils finish Rays in Game 5

Game 1: Phillies 3, Rays 2 Rosenthal | Kriegel | Video | Photos

Game 2: Rays 4, Phillies 2 Rosenthal | Fraley | Video | Photos

Game 3: Phillies 5, Rays 4 Rosenthal | Kriegel | Video | Photos

Game 4: Phillies 10, Rays 2 Rosenthal | Kriegel | Video | Photos

Game 5: Phillies 4, Rays 3 Rosenthal | Kriegel | Video | Photos

More on the playoffs:

• MLB Playoff Central | Video Central
• Fan reaction to every series

Lefthander David Price got the final four outs in a 3-1 victory against Boston in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series. The top overall pick in the 2007 draft, Price, who will end his first professional season in the World Series, made manager Joe Maddon look good.

"I wouldn't trade that feeling for anything in the world,'' said Price, buried at the bottom of the celebratory postgame dog pile.

Maddon did a superb job in psychology and strategy, with a big assist from Price.

Maddon found the way to lift his team from the funk that had enveloped it after the stunning late-game collapse in Game 5. The Rays went from lifeless in Game 6 to full of fire in the finale.

"When you deal with these people on a daily basis, you really understand their personalities, where they come from, where they're at,'' Maddon said. "I'm so proud of the group, the fact that we have grown up so much in a short period of time.''

Maddon used everything at his disposal to get through the minefield of the final three innings.

The Rays have been without a true closer in the playoffs because Percival has been inactive with a bad back. The bullpen had deteriorated in quality without its spiritual leader.

With the Rays leading 2-1, Maddon had two relievers — lefthander Trevor Miller and righthander Grant Balfour — ready in the seventh when the Red Sox put runners at first and second with one out. Maddon went to the mound, with everyone in the house expecting him to pull starter Matt Garza.

The Maddon-Garza conversation went something like this:

Maddon: "How do you feel?''

Garza: "You ain't taking me out of this game. This is my game, and I'm going to finish it off.''

Maddon: "Well, you look good. See you later.''

Garza responded by retiring Mark Kotsay, who went 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position during the postseason, and Jason Varitek.

"He (Garza) was a stallion,'' Maddon said. "He did everything he could.''

Maddon maneuvered himself into a difficult spot in the eighth.

The inning opened with an error by shortstop Jason Bartlett. Maddon refused to push Garza any further and started the bullpen parade.

Righthander Dan Wheeler gave up a hit but got an out. David Ortiz grounded into a fielder's choice against lefthander J.P. Howell. Righthander Chad Bradford walked Kevin Youkilis, loading the bases for J.D. Drew, a lefthanded hitter.

Maddon had planned all along to go to Price, the first pick in the 2007 draft out of Vanderbilt. Price opened the season in the Class-A Florida State League and made his major-league debut on Sept. 14. He began the playoffs with all of 14 innings of major-league experience.

"I really felt good about David,'' Maddon said. "This young man is composed beyond his years. It was important to get through that murder's row and turn it over to him.'' Before Price faced Drew, third baseman Evan Longoria visited the mound and delivered a succinct message.

"This is why they drafted you and gave you the big money,'' Longoria said. "This is what you were born for. Go get him.''

Price responded. Drew could not check his swing on a 97-mph fastball and struck out.

Price, known for precise control, asked for trouble by walking Jason Bay to start the ninth. But he responded by overpowering Kotsay and Varitek on strikeouts and getting pinch-hitter Jed Lowrie to ground into a game-ending out.

Price's response to a pressure-packed situation was remarkable.

"I guess I should have been nervous, but I wasn't even supposed to be here this year,'' Price said. "I don't think any of us get nervous, because nobody expected us to be in this position.

"Maybe we don't know better.''

There had been some thought that Percival, the spiritual leader of the bullpen, would be healthy enough to be activated for the World Series. His time away from the club probably has ended that possibility.

Instead, Percival can have a front-row seat to watch David Price against Philadelphia's pack of lefthanded hitters in the World Series. Like everything else about the Rays this season, it will be interesting.