GAME RECAP: WORLD SERIES GAME 4

Johnny Damon steals Philadelphia’s momentum and ARod delivers in the 9th

FINAL SCORE: YANKEES 7 PHILLIES 4 (F9th)

SCORING PLAYS

• Top of the 1st: Derek Jeter singles, Johnny Damon doubles to right field, Jeter to 3rd. Mark Teixeira grounds out to first base. Jeter scores, Damon to 3rd (NYY 1, PHI 0)
• Top of the 1st: Jorge Posada sacrifice to left field, Johnny Damon scores (NYY 2, PHI 0)
• Bottom of the 1st: Shane Victorino doubles to enter field. Chase Utley doubles to right field, Victorino scores (NYY 2, PHI 1)
• Bottom of the 4th: Ryan Howard singles to center field. Howard steals 2nd base. Pedro Feliz singles to left field, Howard scores (NYY 2, PHI 2)
• Top of the 5th: Nick Swisher walks on 4 balls. Melky Cabrera singles on a ground ball to 2nd base. Derek Jeter singles, Swisher scores and Cabrera to 2nd (NYY 3, PHI 2)
• Top of the 5th: Johnny Damon singles to right field, Cabrera scores (NYY 4, PHI 2)
• Bottom of the 7th: Chase Utley homers to right field of Sabathia (NYY 4, PHI 3)
• Bottom of the 8th: Pedro Feliz homers to left field of Chamberlain (NYY 4, PHI 4)
• Top of the 9th: Johnny Damon works a 2 out single. Damon steals 2nd and 3rd base. Mark Teixeira is hit by pitch. Alex Rodriguez doubles to left field, Damon scores and Teixeira to 3rd (NYY 5, PHI 4)
• Top of the 9th: Jorge Posada singles to left field. Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira scores (NYY 7, PHI 4)
  

STARTING PITCHING (from Yahoo Sports)

• CC Sabathia: 6 2/3 innings, 7 hits allowed, 3 earned runs, 3 BB, 1 HR, 6 SO, 3.29 ERA
• Joe Blanton: 6 innings, 5 hits allowed, 4 earned runs, 2 BB, 7 SO, 6.00 ERA
  

KEY PERFORMERS: Johnny Damon went 3-for-5 with 1 RBI. He had the best at-bat of the night in the top of the 8th with 2-outs and behind 1-and-2 on the count, and topped it off with 2 stolen bases. Alex Rodriguez working on an 0-fer came through in the 9th with a 2-out double that scored Damon and the Yankees regained their lead.

OBSERVATIONS:

• For the second time in this World Series Sabathia did not look as dominant as he was in the ALCS. The Yankees gave CC a 2 run cushion to start the game, and he gave 1 right back to the Phillies on two consecutive doubles in the bottom of the 1st where he threw 24 pitches. Sabathia was getting behind on the count and had to work for every precious out. Having said that CC’s ability to grind it out, limiting the Phillies’ opportunities with men in scoring position, may make this outing more impressive than his dominance against the Angels. The bottom of the 5th was as impressive a performance by a pitcher as you will see in the World Series stage. Sabathia put men on 1st and 2nd without recording an out and he’d yet to face Utley, Howard and Werth. CC, and let’s give credit to Posada in this situation, gets Utley and Howard to pop-up before striking out Jayson Werth. Inning over.
• Alex Rodriguez got hit by a pitch at the top of the 1st. It is his 3rd HBP in this series. A-Rod could not hide his displeasure at being hit again, and one can make the argument that it affected his at-bats throughout the night. He went 0-for-3 with 1 strikeout before a huge clutch hit in the bottom of the 9th propelled the Yankees to victory.
• Damaso Marte was solid once again. Joba Chamberlain was dealing, but he made a mistake to Feliz (who was hot last night) and he made him pay for it. This may be a great learning experience for Joba and may only make him better next time around.
• Come on chant with me: Jooohnny Daaamon tap tap, tap tap tap, Jooohnny Daaamon tap tap, tap tap tap. There is nothing more gratifying to a baseball purist, a fan of the fundamentals of the game, than a heads up play that shows a player’s awareness on the field and his keen instinct. Damon’s base running exploits in the bottom of the 9th has to be in your highlight reel for years to come.
• The “Comeback Kids” did it again. 3 down...1 to go.

The Pride of Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Phillies are the saviors of the City of Brotherly Love. Not since the 1980’s have fans in Philadelphia been this excited. Their sports teams have been floundering for decades but as of late the Phillies have become consistently one of the best teams in baseball. The outpouring of support last night despite the 1 hour and 20 minute rain delay was a sight to see. The fans proved just how great Philadelphia fans can be once they get behind a team and the Phillies are that team.

The 76ers have not been decent since 2001 and even then the ongoing saga with Allen Iverson took away from their success. The Eagles have always played well but the never-ending tension between the city, Andy Reid, and Donovan McNabb has left Philly fans disgruntled. The Flyers were once a good team but have not been for many years and now sit in the purgatory of the NHL, neither good nor bad but consistently average. The Phillies have been the one bright light in a city that has been outshined by Pittsburgh in its own state as well as New York which is a mere 2 hour drive away.

And this Phillies team deserves the love it has received. Management made great moves getting Raul Ibanez who has had a monster season by his standards and most importantly Cliff Lee whose skills were on full display during his dominant performance in game 1 of the World Series. They picked up Jayson Werth who has provided much needed protection for Ryan Howard and Brad Lidge, despite his recent woes, has provided their bullpen with much needed stability and was crucial to their championship run in 2008. Ownership has been willing to spend money to win and they spend it wisely and have gotten great results, capturing the crown in 2008 and fighting for it here in 2009. The players are active in the community and through great play have gained the affection of the oft ill-tempered Philly fans.

Even as a Yankee fan I cannot help but to have respect for the Phillies players, organization, and fan base.

GAME RECAP: WORLD SERIES GAME 3

After a ghoulish start Andy Pettitte & the Yankees' bats come alive...it’s aliiiive, it’s aliiiiive!!!

FINAL SCORE: YANKEES 8 PHILLIES 4 (F9th)

SCORING PLAYS

• Bottom of the 2nd: Jayson Werth homers to left field (NYY 0, PHI 1)
• Bottom of the 2nd: Pedro Feliz hits a 1-out double to right field. Carlos Ruiz walks. Cole Hamels singles on a bunt to load the bases. Jimmy Rollins walks, Pedro Feliz scores (NYY 0, PHI 2)
• Bottom of the 2nd: Bases Loaded. Shane Victorino out on a sacrifice fly to left field, Carlos Ruiz scores (NYY 0, PHI 3)
• Top of the 4th: Mark Teixeira works a 1-out walk, Alex Rodriguez homes to right field. Mark Teixeira scores (NYY 2, PHI 3)
• Top of the 5th: Nick Swisher doubles to left field to begin the inning. After Melky Cabrera strikes out, Andy Pettitte singles to center field, Nick Swisher scores (NYY 3, PHI 3)
• Top of the 5th: Derek Jeter singles to left field, Andy Pettitte to 2nd. Johnny Damon doubles to center field, Pettitte and Jeter scores (NYY 5, PHI 3)
• Top of the 6th: Nick Swisher homers to left field (NYY 6, PHI 3)
• Bottom of the 6th: Jayson Werth homers to left field (NYY 6, PHI 4)
• Top of the 7th: Johnny Damon is issued a 1-out walk. Mark Teixeira strikes out, Johnny Damon steals 2nd base. Alex Rodriguez hit by pitch. Jorge Posada singles to left field, Damon scores (NYY 7, PHI 4)
• Top of the 8th: Hideki Matsui homers on a fly ball to left field (NYY 8, PHI 4)
  

STARTING PITCHING (from Yahoo Sports)

• Andy Pettitte: 6 innings, 4 hits allowed, 4 earned runs, 3 BB, 7 SO, 6.00 ERA
• Cole Hamels: 4 & 1/3 innings, 5 hits allowed, 5 earned runs, 2 BB, 3 SO, 10.38 ERA
  

KEY PERFORMERS: After giving up 3 runs in the first 2 innings of work, Andy Pettitte settled down striking out 7 hitters in 6 innings. Alex Rodriguez put the Yankees on the board with a 2-run HR that seem to ignite the Yankee offense, he was on base 4 times including a walk. Nick Swisher had the breakout game he’d been waiting for, he went 2-for-4 including a double and a HR.


COMMENTARY: Halloween’s origins can be traced to an ancient Celtic festival known at Samhain. The Celts celebrated new years on November 1st and it was believed that the night before the new year the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. Aside from causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts believed that these spirits made it easier for the Celtic priests to predict the future. Over 2,000 years later can the Yankees performance on Halloween night be a predictor of what’s to come in this series?

It was a harrowing start for the pinstripes, the hour and twenty minute rain delay seemed to have quite an effect on Andy Pettitte. The Phillies were able to strike early and throw Pettitte off his game, even giving up a walk with the bases loaded. Cole Hamels was sharp and for the first 3 innings seemed to be a reincarnation of the 2008 World Series MVP. A zombie-like version of the Yankees made an early appearance in game 3, they were sloppy on pitching, hitting, and on defense.

But in the dawn of the 4th inning, after a 1-out walk to Mark Teixeira the man they call A-Rod hit on opposite field HR that would have to be reviewed, and the Yankees lineup got a much needed shot of electricity that seem to carry to the pitching as well. In a 7 game series not every win or loss can be a defining one. After they even out the series in Game 2 there were very large questions remaining for the Yankees to answer. A-Rod was 0-for-8 with 6 strikeouts, there was no consistent contribution from the bottom of the lineup, and the bridge to Mariano was non-existent.Winning the first game in Philadelphia to go up 2-to-1 in the series was big, no doubt about it. But the way the Yankees secured this victory may be an indication of how they will fare the rest of the series.

Alex Rodriguez ends his 0-fer with a 2-run HR. Rodriguez was on base 4 times, did not strike out and drew a walk in his last at-bat. He looked like someone breathed life into him, his demeanor and approach at the plate was more relaxed and deliberate and it looked like the ALCS version of A-Rod had resurfaced. Nick Swisher who has been struggling all postseason long, took his benching like a man, and returned to make big contributions with his bat hitting a double and a home run in 2 of his 4 at bats and scoring the tieing run. Chamberlain and Marte were solid, I don’t know if the bridge is complete but these two may be the pillars on which the highway to Mariano are built.

This series is far from over and there is no indication that the defending World Champions will make it easy for the Yankees to win their 27th World Series. Every game has it's own nuance, tempo and flow, but beyond the win Yankee fans should feel optimistic about the contributions that were made up and down the lineup and the performance of this much maligned bullpen.

WORLD SERIES GAME 3 PREVIEW

TALE OF THE TAPE: GAME 3 STARTERS

YANKEES - Andy Pettitte

"I just try to simplify it, whether it's a clincher, whether we'd been down, 2-0. I can't do anything else except go out and make my pitches. I can't really control anything other than that, so why worry about it?"

BREAKDOWN

• 2009 Regular Season - 14-8, 32 GS, 4.16 ERA
• Pettitte has gone 2-and-0 through 3 games in the postseason with a low ERA of 2.37.
• Andy Pettitte is the winningest pitcher in postseason history, clinching the record number 16 win to clinch the ALCS, in his only 2 career starts in Citizens Bank Park he’s 1-and-0 with a 0.75 ERA.

KEY STAT: Allowed 193 H in 194 and two thirds innings pitched.

KEY MATCHUPS

• Jayson Werth, 1-for-13 with 5 K
• Carlos Ruiz, 2-for-3, HR
  

PHILLIES - Cole Hamels

"I actually feel great right now."

BREAKDOW

• A loosing 2009 Regular Season for Hamels - 10-11, 32 GS, 4.32 ERA
• Hamels has 1 win and 1 loss through 3 games during the postseason with a high ERA of 6.75.
• Cole Hamels recorded a no decision in his only start against the Yankees in 2009, but he had an ERA of 3.00, the biggest concern for Hamels is the fact that he’s allowed 6 HRs in 3 playoff starts.

KEY STAT: Opponents hit .273 off Hamels.

KEY MATCHUPS

• Alex Rodriguez, 0-for-4
• Johnny Damon, 3-for-5, 2B

TV: FOX 7:57 PM ET

COMMENTARY: Will it be Trick or Treat for Yankee batters on a cloudy Halloween night at Citizens Bank Park? Can Hamels keep it in the yard, or will Pettitte add to his postseason luster with win number 17? As almost a full moon peeks over the clouds, one thing is certain, tonight can be a wild one.

Comeback Wins and Confidence

A month into the Yankee’s season it appeared as if the season was going to be a bust. Nick Swisher was the best player on the team; no offense to Swisher, I still support him despite his postseason woes. Alex Rodriguez was not even playing and Mark Teixeira was slumping. But, through a combined effort the Yankees shook off the early season slows and won the 103 games, the most in baseball. They were able to do so primarily because of two things; comeback wins and reliance on teammates. These same aspects of the regular season Yankee team are showing themselves in the playoffs and they are what will carry the Yankees to a victory in the World Series.

The Yankees have won 8 games this postseason, 6 have been comeback wins. Though not as dramatic as walk-off hits, these wins show that despite trailing by at least 1 run, this Yankee team never gives up. Who would have thought that Rodriguez would have been able to hit a game-tying homerun off of Joe Nathan?

Personally, I have a love/hate relationship with comeback wins. When the Yankees go down I don’t get too nervous because I know they still have the ability to win the game. But, I hate them because they have happened so often this postseason that there are periods during almost every game where I can barely stand to watch. Comebacks are a critical part of this Yankee team, albeit a nerve-wracking part, and have given the Yankees swagger and identity that has got them into the World Series.

The knowledge that teammates will get the job done even if you don’t have also given the Yankees confidence they have lacked in recent years. Before, Rodriguez especially would feel that he had to drive in a run every time he was up at the plate. Who would have thought that some of the key hits that have started rallies would have come from the bottom of the lineup? From top to bottom, despite the recent woes of Rodriguez or the earlier slumps of Swisher and Teixeira, the Yankees have found ways to win. Having confidence in your teammates is irreplaceable and crucial for a baseball team. The Yankees have that and they will keep winning because swagger is fundamental for postseason success.

Another Interview!

We here at the Pinstriper are proud to announce that we have another 10 for 10 interview! This time it is with Rich of Fightin' Phillies. Enjoy!

1. What is your prediction now that the Phils and the Yankees are tied 1-1 in the World Series so far who will win it?


I like the Phillies in 6 games now that they have two games under way in the series.

2. How will finish better batting now that they've both had two games into the Series : Ryan Howard or Alex Rodriguez?

Ryan Howard, because he'll have his groove back at home in Philly.

3. Phillies or Yankees who has the better food at the stadium?

Speaking as a Sunday season ticket holder with the Phillies, I would have to say Philly has some nice barbeque items and of course cheesesteaks and crab fries which are french fries with crab seasoning on it and cheese dip on the side, but everything is way overpriced. I haven't been to new Yankee Stadium yet, but I like that they have a Hard Rock Cafe on site.


4. What team will finish the series with more home runs?

It's even at this point, I am going to say it will stay that way about even through out the series.


5. Who will get MVP of the Series?


I am thinking Cliff Lee for the Phillies as I have them winning it, if not maybe Utley for his great start already.


6. "New York, New York" or "Philadelphia Freedom" what is the better song?

Two different styles of music, I remember when Philadelphia Freedom came out as a kid, but I would call it a tie with an edge to Sinatra cause he had class.


7. Who's better Jorge Posada or Carlos Ruiz in this World Series?

Posada is slightly better, more experience and better overall BA, Ruiz has been clutch though.


8. Lee or Sabathia who's better, who's best?

I have seen Lee great so far on the Phillies team, I think C.C. is overrated though he did have a great season this year. Can C.C. come through in the World Series? I think Lee betters him and gets MVP in the Series. I also think Lee should have C.C.'s agent, he got a ton of money from the Yankees.

9. Should the Yankees and the Phillies play more interleague games?

I was at the games in the late 90's when interleague started with the Yankees, I like the local matchups better than say the Phillies playing the White Sox. I think every other year the Yankees should end up playing the Phillies at least for the next 6 years.

10. Who is your favorite Phillies player of all time and why?

Mike Schmidt, he was 'the man' in Philly for 18 seasons. The fans often criticized him too much, he was such an awesome player and really my choice as the best Phillies player ever.

Rich came up with the questions and you can check out his blog for my answers to the same questions!