Phillies, Lee try to extend World Series
Last Updated: Monday, November 2, 2009 | 12:43 PM ET
Michael Coomber, CBC Sports
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Philadelphia's Cliff Lee, shown pitching during Game 1 of the World Series, is key to keeping the Phillies in the Fall Classic, which the Yankees lead 3-1. (David J. Phillip/Associated Press)The Philadelphia Phillies' hopes of extending the Fall Classic rests on 2008 Cy Young winner Cliff Lee, who must replicate his Game 1 performance to prevent the New York Yankees from capturing their 27th World Series.
The Phillies and Lee, who earned the win in the series' opening game in New York, will try to claw their way back on Monday at Citizens Bank Park.
New York took a 3-1 series lead Sunday over the defending World Series champion Phillies with a 7-4 win, after a ninth-inning rally that included two stolen bases and a clutch hit.
With the score tied 4-4, Johnny Damon fought off eight pitches before slamming the ninth pitch to the outfield for a two-out single. Mark Teixeira was at bat when Damon stole second and third, before Teixeira was hit by a pitch. Slugger Alex Rodriguez followed with a timely run-batted-in double down the left-field line, giving the Yankees the lead.
Future Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera needed only eight pitches in the bottom of the ninth for his 11th World Series save, stretching his all-time playoff saves record to 39. Joba Chamberlain, in relief of CC Sabathia, earned the win.
Brad Lidge, one of three relievers used after starter Joe Blanton left the game after six innings, took the loss.
Phillies can bounce back, manager says
With 46,000 fans in the stands Sunday, the Phillies blew the lead and the game.
"I've seen us go through it before. We've blown 22 games from the seventh inning on or something this year," said Phillies manager Charlie Manuel.
But Philadelphia remains resilient.
"I think we take a lot of pride on being resilient and the way we bounce back," Manuel said.
The National League champions the last two years must show that resiliency to have a chance at a victory Monday and extend the series, which would return to New York.
In Game 1, Lee held the Yankees to six hits, had 10 strikeouts and allowed one run en route to a 6-1 victory.
Since then, the Yankees have dominated, evening the series the following night and winning the next two games.
For the Phillies to return to the Bronx, Lee must continue his hot play and get run support from the struggling Philadelphia bats.
Ryan Howard has gone from slugger to sluggish with only three hits in 17 at-bats. His .176 average during the World Series is second worst on the team, and the 29-year-old has struck out 10 times in four games. Five of the eight Phillies hitters have an average of .200 or under during that span.
However, not all of Philadelphia's performances have been subpar this World Series.
Chase Utley has three home runs, including a seventh-inning solo shot Sunday. Jason Werth leads the team with a .308 average, and has two home runs.
Burnett goes on little rest
The Yankees counter Lee with pitcher A.J. Burnett. The right-hander beat Pedro Martinez in the Yankees' 3-1 Game 2 victory.
New York manager Joe Girardi has chosen to start Burnett, over Chad Gaudin, in Game 5 on only three days rest.
"Our guys feel good at this time of year," Girardi said before Game 4. "We tried to give them some extra rest in the month of September, and they've had some extra rest during the playoffs that we thought was very important."
Burnett has been solid on short rest, going 4-0 and posting a 2.33 ERA.
"To be honest, it's a little different, obviously, in October," the former Toronto Blue Jay said. "But I feel good right now. Otherwise, I wouldn't take the ball."
Game 6 would go Wednesday at Yankee Stadium.
