LAS VEGAS -- Despite what appeared to happen Monday night in Philadelphia, the Tampa Bay Rays lost Game 5 of the World Series. At least in the view of Nevada sports books, the Phillies won 2-1.  The game was suspended because of rain in the middle of the sixth inning with the score tied 2-2. The Rays had tied it in the top of the sixth when Carlos Pena's two-out single scored B.J. Upton. However, even though the suspended game is scheduled to be completed today, the betting result is final. According to Nevada gaming rules -- often referred to as "house rules" -- the final score of an official game is determined by reverting to the last completed inning. The Phillies led 2-1 after the fifth. "We're just following the regular baseball rules. This is a very common rule," Las Vegas Hilton sports book director Jay Kornegay said. "We can't make exceptions”. 

Wow, talk about a heart of stone?  These sports book directors make Michael Corleone look like Santa Claus.  I mean if the Rays come back and win Game 5 this could turn out to be one of the worst beats of all time -- people will actually lose money when the team they bet on won! Ouch! Believe me, I understand "house rules" and all that from painful past experiences (see below), but why not just wait until the game is completed before paying out either way?  The only explanation has to be Vegas would stand to lose more money if the Rays won than if the Phillies won.  That’s really the only thing that makes sense.  Anyway I thought I had seen it all when they turned the lights out during UNLV/Wisconsin in 2002, but this game could end up being right up there. For the 10 millionth time, once again, nobody beats the house.