Philadelphia secure World Series

The Phillies and their fans start the celebrations at Citizens Bank Park

The Philadelphia Phillies ended their long wait for a World Series title as they completed a unique rain-suspended 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Phillies captured their first Fall Classic since 1980 in a quick finish after Game Five was suspended at 2-2 in the middle of the sixth on Monday.

The victory gave the Phillies a 4-1 triumph in the best-of-seven series and ended a dream season for the Rays.

Tampa Bay were rebounding from the worst record in the majors last season.

"I always thought we could win the World Series," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said after the game. "I knew we could beat anybody in our league.

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"When I look at my guys, I see our chemistry and our attitude, our make-up and how much we like to play and how much the Philadelphia fans backed us," he added as the crowd roared its approval.

With the game resuming at 2-2, Pedro Feliz drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh, and reliever Brad Lidge struck out pinch-hitter Eric Hinske for the final out in the ninth, setting off a wild celebration as fireworks exploded over Citizens Bank Park.

Philadelphia starting pitcher Cole Hamels, who won the opening game of the series, was named Most Valuable Player.

Relief pitcher Brad Lidge and catcher Carlos Ruiz celebrate

Despite the Rays' loss, players and coaches were consoled they helped the 11-year-old franchise reach the postseason for the first time.

"This has been a remarkable year for us on so many different levels to get to this point," said manager Joe Maddon.

"Very few people throughout the baseball world even guessed that we could get here. We made a powerful statement. All of this country now knows who we are."

After both teams scored in their first time at-bat once the game was re-started following a delay of exactly 46 hours, the Phillies took their decisive lead when Feliz singled through a drawn-in infield to cash in a lead-off double by Pat Burrell.

The Fall Classic finish came in bizarre fashion after the first suspended game in 104 World Series.

That game produced controversy over whether it should have started at all because of Monday's weather forecast, and whether it should have been halted earlier due to puddles on the infield.