The New York Yankees are in the driver’s seat. With their 7-4 win on Sunday night, the Yankees now lead the Phillies 3-1 in the 2009 World Series. One more win, and the Yankees will have the franchise’s 27th World Series Championship.
Sunday night’s game was a game for the ages. CC Sabathia pitching on 3 days’ rest. Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel going with Joe Blanton instead of his ace Cliff Lee on 3 days’ rest. Lead changes galore. Home runs, hit batsmen – what more could you ask for.
The Yankees struck 1st with 2 runs in the top of the 1st, but the Phillies answered with single runs in the 1st and 4th innings to tie the game at 2. The Yankees jumped back on top with run scoring singles from Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon in the top of the 5th inning. The Yankees still held that 4-2 going into the bottom of the 7th inning, but the Phillies would not be denied. Chase Utley hit a solo home run off of Sabathia (his 3rd off of Sabathia in this series) in the 7th inning and Carlos Ruiz tied the game at 4 with his solo shot off of Joba Chamberlain in the 8th inning.
Manuel opted to go with his closer – Brad Lidge – in a tie game to start the 9th inning, and that move proved to be costly. Although Lidge got the 1st 2 outs of the inning, Damon singled and stole second to get into scoring position. After Lidge plunked Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez delivered the big blow just as he had done the night before (he hit a 2-run HR off of Cole Hamels to get the Yankees back in the game and was also hit by pitches twice). A-Rod’s double gave the Yankees a 5-4 lead and Jorge Posada followed that up with a 2-run single that plated Teixeira and A-Rod for a 7-4 Yankees lead. Just like that, the air left Citizens Bank Ballpark – Phillies fans knew it was over.
Cliff Lee will try to avoid letting the Yankees celebrate on their home turf. Lee outdueled Sabathia in Game 1 of the World Series, but he will go up against A.J. Burnett this time around. Burnett stymied the Phillies in Game 2 of the World Series, but will be pitching on 3 days’ rest, something he has not done so well in his past. If the Phillies can somehow win tonight, it will be Andy Pettitte for the Yankees on 3 days’ rest on Wednesday night in the Bronx. Pettitte does not like pitching on 3 days’ rest, so the Yankees will not be bringing their best lineup in Game 6. Tonight is the key – if the Phillies win, it would not be surprising to see the Phillies take this thing to a dramatic Game 7 in NY. Sabathia would make his 3rd start of the series and we would likely see Cliff Lee for a few innings out of the bullpen on just 2 days’ rest. Bring on the drama…
Elton John is touring with Billy Joel and has delayed three concerts in the US next month. He also cut short his tour in Britain and Ireland because he is not feeling well. There are rumors that he has the flu or e-coli, but nothing has been confirmed yet. The November US shows should be rescheduled but no dates have been set yet.
Three Stars
1. H. Lundqvist – NYR (Saves: 29, Save Pct: 1.000)
2. M. Gaborik – NYR (Goals: 1, Assists: 0)
3. T. Thomas – BOS (Saves: 22, Save Pct: .957)
Final
1
2
3
T
San Jose (10-4-1) «
0
3
2
5
Carolina (2-8-3)
0
1
0
1
Three Stars
1. E. Nabokov – SJ (Saves: 25, Save Pct: .962)
2. P. Marleau – SJ (Goals: 1, Assists: 1)
3. J. Thornton – SJ (Goals: 0, Assists: 2)
Final OT
1
2
3
OT
T
Columbus (7-5-1) «
0
2
2
1
5
Washington (8-2-4)
1
0
3
0
4
Three Stars
1. R. Torres – CLB (Goals: 2, Assists: 0)
2. R. Nash – CLB (Goals: 1, Assists: 2)
3. B. Laich – WAS (Goals: 2, Assists: 0)
Final
1
2
3
T
Colorado (10-3-2)
0
0
0
0
Vancouver (8-7-0) «
1
1
1
3
Three Stars
1. A. Raycroft – VAN (Saves: 18, Save Pct: 1.000)
2. R. Kesler – VAN (Goals: 1, Assists: 1)
3. M. Raymond – VAN (Goals: 1, Assists: 1)
Elton John is touring with Billy Joel and has delayed three concerts in the US next month. He also cut short his tour in Britain and Ireland because he is not feeling well. There are rumors that he has the flu or e-coli, but nothing has been confirmed yet. The November US shows should be rescheduled but no dates have been set yet.
