The rain had stopped and the night of baseball began on the positive for the NL Defending champs when they took an early 3-0 lead on Andy Pettite & the Yankees, it was looking good but it was only the beginning of a long day for the Phillies because on this night it was the winiest pitcher in postseason history who would collect himself on the mound to give the Yanks another quality start.The scoring began in the 2nd when Jason Werth took Pettite deep for the 1st of 2 dingers off the lefty, things would get worse for the Yankees when a sacrifice bunt by the pitcher Hamels was botch by the Yankees defense when no one was able to take charge, as it happened all I could think of was how on this night I would be writing about how the NL style of ball had done in the Yankees, but of course it was just premature thinking on my part. It led to 2 more runs for the Phillies who at the moment were looking in control 3-0. As it turned out all I would be writing about today was how the Yankees came back & won in convincing fashion, & it all started in the 4th for the Yankees when a reverse call opened the doors, with Texiera on 1st & 1 out, up came the slumping Alex Rodriguez who took Hamels deep into the corner in right for what looked to be a double off the wall, A-ROD's 1st hit in the WS, but then you saw the replay & you then noticed that the ball had struck the camera lens which was porched over the wall, with the instinct replay implemented this year you knew the Yankees had a good chance for the reversal here. FOX gave you angles galore, the only decision the ump had to make on this one was if the ball was hit deep enough to make it over wall & over the camera that was overhanging the outfield wall, it was not a clear cut decision but the umps came back quickly onto the field and ruled it to be a HR, right decision or not it was the break the Yankees needed as the begining of a big day for the Yankees had begun.
The game was now 3-2 Phillies but in the very next inning the Yanks got to Coles Hamels again, Nick Swisher who before the game was interviewed by FOX while they waited for the rain to stop, said he felt positive & that this was going to be his night to break out of his slump, he got the inning started with a double & after Melky Cabrerra had struckout, Hamels then gave up 3 straight hits followed by a walk which led to 3 more Yankee runs, in the middle of it all Andy Pettite deliver a hit of his own as the Yanks now led 5-3. Hamels who was the WS MVP last year could not find that same form and gave the hometown fans another playoff stinker as his erratic season continued. He was not able to get out of the 5th as his night was over in a flash & the Yankees only begining theirs.
There was still plenty of baseball left in this game but the Yankees were not going to look back on this one, in the 6th it was Swisher once again, this time going deep for the HR off of A.J. Happ, then in the 7th Posada drove Johnny Damon for another run, then it was Hideki Matsui going deep in the 8th as the Yankees took home the victory 8-5 moving a game up in the best of 7. The Phillies did get 2 more solo homers by Carlos Ruiz & Werth but it proved to be too little too late for the Phillies who took it on the chin with the letdown performance. The Yankee bats did their part & Andy Dandy did his as it is now the Phillies who tonight are in a must win situation. The problem for the Phillies is that the Yankee have their ACE Sabathia taking the mound tonight looking for a bounce back win after taking the hard luck lost in game 1. It looks like the Yankees have the Phils right where they want them, the Phils will counter with Joe Blanton who with a win tonight can put his team back in it, but if you're a Yankee fan the feeling is good going into tonight's game as they look to take command of the WS.
26 comments:
Ok, I'll post it here . . .
The Yankees win - TTTHHHHEE Yankees win. I'm glad that the Yanks purchased a ticket back to New York. That crowd was ridiculous and dumb. Andy never did steroids. Ray was wondering why they weren't crying "wife beater" when Brett Myers came in to pitch. I guess that's ok.
I didn't realize how Alex was slumping after two games. Two games? I wouldn't call the reversal on the instant replay a break. I would call it the right call. We make our "breaks." When we get a true break, I'll let you know.
didn't he admited to steriods?
6 strikeouts is not a slump?
the reversal was not a break?
if this was last season there would had been no reversal, well who knows they did changed the call on the Jeffrey Maier incident.
and again that was not a clear cut call to make.
No he did not. He was doing HGH which is not steroids.
Everyone seems to be on ARod for his "slump" but if you think about it, the entire Phillies game plan is centered around them not letting ARod beat them. I told Danny that once they get out of NYC ARod would come around.
The Yankees are feeling good but you can rest assured that they are not sleeping on the Phils. Its going to be a tough game tonight.
One last night, Pettite got his I believe 17th career post season win last night. Is that a record that will never be broken? Discuss.
Well isn't HGH ilegal? all I remember is he and Clemens being caught up in something.
Everyone is not only talking about A-ROD & his slump, they been talking about Howard as well, they just calling it like it is.
About Pettite 17 wins total ever being topped, sure it can, you have to realize that the only reason he even has that record is because of the extended playoff system which only has been around for like what? 18 years? If they had this system back in the days someone like Whitey Ford would had been up there as well, & if it is to be broken again, most likely it's going be a Yankee.
Sorry guys, busy day at work so no follow up on last night, but just a few things…
Watching the final innings & seeing Damon steal 2nd only to keep going forward on to 3rd was kind of weird because I was watching it on mute & when I saw that I put on the volume to understand what the heck was going on, but seeing it happen I thought that Damon must had thought that the throw had sailed into the outfield and took off not knowing that the fielder had fielded the ball, I didn’t know that it was Feliz who fielded it & thought it was Rollins, so I thought that Damon was going to be dead meat at 3rd, I could not believe that just happened, after that you kind of knew it was over for the Phillies because like Buck & McCarver said Lidge could not afford too bounce one by the catcher, sure enough Lidge went with fastballs & got hurt big time.
Another thing, what the hell was Charlie Manuel thinking leaving Lidge in there after he had hit Texiera? Then pitching to A-ROD? I this guy is old school & the team likes him for his goofy ways but how do you let yourself get beat by the other team’s big guns?
That was some bad managing by Manuel, he at times does not seem to bright just by the way he talks & it shows when he manages.
All that after 2 outs
That was some game last night. Oh yeah, I and my guests were all yelling at Damon when he took off for 3rd because the camera angle didn't show what Damon was seeing. That whole at bat by Damon was great, somewhat reminisicent of that Paul O'Neil at bat against Benitez in game 1 of the 2000 World Series. ARod and Posada came up big with the hits and what else can you say about Mo Rivera that hasn't been said already? The guy is just unreal. Don't know if you noticed but FOX had a great shot of the Yankee dugout after Joba gave up the home run to Pedro Happy and you saw the way the guys all went up to him and you can just see that they were going to rally around him and pick him up. To me thats been one of or maybe the biggest difference with this Yankee team this year from the one's from previous years, they're really a team. Reminds me of the golden days of the late 90s.
Oh as for the Pettite thing. You really think so? Think about that for a minute Fred. 17 wins in the post season. You have to have a guy be in a good team that makes the playoffs every year, makes long runs in the playoffs and actually get wins as opposed to no decisions which you see a lot of in the playoffs. I really dont see it being topped.
As for tonight's game, I'm not in love with running Burnett out there. I would have gone with Gaudin and the pen but then again I dont get paid to make those decisions.
Where to begin.
Let's start with HGH. Yes HGH is illegal by sports authorities including the olympic committees BUT it really shouldn't be. HGH is the future in the present. Someday 20 or 30 yrs from now, people are going to realize that players taking HGH were revolutionaries. It is usually used on kids who have growing disorders or adults needing hormone therapy. It is still a very new and complicated hormone but I can tell you that it has saved a lot of lives. In sports, it is considered illegal because it allows you to recouperate faster which is the reason Andy's father gave it to him. In the medical world, it is a newly used phenomenom.
Anyway, I almost lost my mind when I saw Damon running to third. Thanks McCarver and Joe Fuck and thanks Fox for reminding us that the shift was on. I mean that sarcastically of course because they never showed us that picture. That's just a blatant error by the Phils. They act like they have never had the shift on with a good runner on first. I don't know why Lidge became a spectator on that mound instead of covering third. Manuel said it is either the catcher or pitcher's responsibility. I say it's the pitchers. Lidge has way less of a distance to go than Ruiz. You can not expect the cathcer to make the throw to second and right away dash to third. That's unreasonable and it is why the shift should not be used in the first place UNDER THAT CIRCUMSTANCE.
I think that shit about Lidge not being able to bounce one is bullshit. Complete bullshit. McDumbass and Joe Fuck have no clue what they are talking about. Lidge has to use his best pitch to get these guys out not his second best. Maybe they need to go back to spring training so that he could trust his cather to block those balls. That's such hogwash. You didn't see Burnett get away from that in Yankee Stadium in the LAA series. He still threw hard balls in the ground. One of them cost him a run but he didn't get away from his game plan. Because he was afraid of a ball going past? That is just ridiculous. Don't be like Mark Wohlers vs. Leyritz in '96, getting beat by your third best pitch.
About leaving Lidge in there - I texted Ray and told him they had already used their best bullpen pitcher (Madson) so I was welcoming Lidge.
Another thing Freddy, you question how Manuel let himself get beat by the Yanks big guns but this lineup is hard to pitch around just like 1-6 of the Phils is hard to pitch around. They also have what you call a "softball" lineup. The Yanks are a team in every sense. One is not afraid to walk to let the other bring them in.
Mariano - the greatest pitcher - starter, middle relief or closer of our lifetime - in my opinion.
Yea some game last night game was a heck of a game, Joba came in throwing hard & thought he could just blast it by everyone but Feliz got him good, didn’t see the part where it showed the Yankee dugout picking Joba up, Another note, what about Ryan Howard? That guy has been the goat for the Phillies in the WS they have gotten no contributions from him, and if there is a game 7, which I don’t see happening, Sabathia better not challenge Utley, that guy seems to see C.C’s pitches as if they were softballs.
And about this Yankee team being more of a team then the ones in the past few years, I have to agree with you this is more of a unit, but I think a lot of the credit goes to 2 guys, the additions of Sabathia & Texiera, IMO these 2 guys are the real difference makers.
I also know what you mean by pitching Gaudin today, someone was saying that why would I want to send out one of my best pitchers vs their best, but then again this has been Girardi’s formula in the playoffs and no doubt it was the right formula so why would he back off now? This is the WS and if I am the manager I lose with my best.
Back on Pettite and the wins, that is why I said that if someone is going to topped it, that it will be a Yankees to do it, think about it, who has the records for most hits? Jeter, saves? Rivera, all kinds of postseason record are held by the Yankee team of the 90’s, and this trend will continue for I don’t know how long but I don’t see the Yankees missing any playoffs appearances for a long long time. The way the system is today it benefits the Yankees to be in it to win it every year. This is not the same kind of baseball from back in the days when we were coming up, all those postseason record will be broken, I mean Pettite is great, but imagine if the Yankee get a young pitcher of the caliber of Sabathia, knowing that he will be in the playoffs every year, I know that Pettite was the Yankees #1 ACE in the run in the 90’s, but let’s be honest here he was no Pedro Martinez. Now if you were to tell me if anyone is going to top whatever Mariano had done, then there I will say no one tops that ever.
I wouldn't say Feliz got Joba. Joba missed location. Mr. Happy would have gotten Joba if that is where Joba wanted the ball to go but he didn't. Big Home Run for Mr. Happy there but it was short lived.
Yeah, I'm not questioning Girardi anymore. AJ's numbers on three days rest looks very good.
I don't know about the Yankees missing the post-season but getting there is no gurantee that you will win games there either.
You think Andy is no Pedro right? In terms of hard stuff, there is no comparison but in terms of results, I beg to differ. In the end, it's results that matter right?
Pedro is 219 - 100
Andy is 229 - 135
Andy has about 49 more starts than Pedro. That is about a year and a half more starts. I think the numbers are comparable to say the least. Pedro has a great winning percentage and there is no doubt about that, but Andy is a BIG GAME pitcher and that makes up volumes.
Danny I’m going to have to disagree with the whole Lidge thing, I mean did he throw another dirt pitch? I didn’t see it, did he get beat by the fastball? Yup, so I have say that Damon getting to 3rd made all the difference in that situation & when Buck & McCarver brought it up, it just made more sense, & as it played out Lidge did not throw that pitch again, at least I didn’t see him throw it, only after the damage was done.
I agree that the Phillies have a softball lineup, but you just don’t let the cleanup hitter beat you, that it the way it has always been, let the next guy beat and you can live with that.
Mariano the best of all the pitchers? Now I don’t want to get into any beef of words on this but remember this is just my opinion, If you say the best closer of all time it’s not even close, but to say the best of all the pitchers? It’s not like he had to ever throw 8 innings, remember he only has 2 pitches, albeit 2 amazing pitches, but if he was a starter I don’t know how 2 pitches get it done pitching 7 innings. Now if you want to say Mariano one of the most dominating pitchers of all time, he is right up there in the top 3, but to say best pitcher of all time, starter, middle relief, or closer, when he has like 1 start in his career is a bit wrong. I’m just saying it is a little bit easier to be dominating with all you have to do is pitch one inning as appose to having to pitch 6 or 7 innings.
I see Danny's point, you have to go with your best pitch no matter what because if you get beat at least you can say you got beat with your best as opposed to your
2nd or 3rd best. According to Lidge today, Damon being at 3rd did not make a difference.
Thanks for bringing up Howard. People kill ARod but somehow Howard gets a free pass.
As for the play with Damon at 3rd, I think Lidge was so shocked that it was happening he didnt know what to do. That was just heads up baseball by Damon.
With the Yankees being more of a team I don't think you can discount what guys like Swisher, Burnett and Damon bring to the table with that stuff.
I think Pettite's postseason record is safe. Look at this postseason and how great CC has been. He has 3 wins, so picture him doing this 5 more times. I hope he does but so many things have to go right for that to happen. Smoltz is second with 15 wins and that guy has started 27 playoff games over 14 years.
Fred, Danny wrote that Mo is the best pitcher of our lifetime. So lets say from 1970 on. You can make that case? I'll even go one step further and say that Mo is the best player of the last 30 years. When you look at his body of work, how consistent he has been and to do what he's done in the toughest of situations, in the biggest stage and in the steroid era is amazing.
Well it’s just my opinion that Damon at 3rd made the difference, I’m just saying, did he Lidge throw that pitch again?
And the Yankee being more of a unit, sure guys like Swisher did their thing, but Swisher was more of a castoff from other teams who came here brought his free spirit energy to a team that we all know in the past was all corporate. Burnett, Damon all did their parts, I’m just saying Tex & C.C were the main reason’s IMO.
Like you said about C.C, winning 3 games in these playoffs, let’s say he averages that the next 4 postseasons, that’s 15 wins right there, in 5 years, it took Pettite like 14 years to get 17, again it will not be easy but I don’t see as a lock.
And the MO thingy, ok so Danny said best pitcher of our lifetime, my bad there, but he also said best pitcher middle relief, starter, closer, like I said most dominating pitcher fits the bill better, because starting and reliving is a bit like apples and oranges, I mean don’t you agree? Are we going to say that if Mo was a starting that he be doing the same thing?
"Well it’s just my opinion that Damon at 3rd made the difference, I’m just saying, did Lidge throw that pitch again?"
Freddy, I think you are misunderstanding something. When Damon was at third, he did not thrown anymore sliders/spliters and therefore did not throw his best pitch. He threw all fastballs. So he got beat with his second or third best pitch. Do you understand what we're saying? He got beat with his just above average fastballs.
"Like you said about C.C, winning 3 games in these playoffs, let’s say he averages that the next 4 postseasons, that’s 15 wins right there, in 5 years"
Man Freddy, you must think that watching the Yanks do what they are doing is easy. You think that CC will have those consecutive postseasons like that? Are you nuts? Do you have any idea how hard it is to have a post season like this year? Pitchers go out with the goal of keeping their team in the game. It is a luxury to get a win. It's such a crap shoot in the post season. I do not think Pettitte's record will be broken ESPECIALLY since he is not done yet.
Any starter would give their left nut for Mo's cutter. That includes Roy Halladay. In fact, I have seen Roy on multiple occasions with Mo trying to learn (perfect) it and has incorporated it as part of his repetoire. So to say that as a starter he couldn't do what he's doing is just a false premise to go on. You have to go by the body of work and consistency. In total, it's better than anyone to ever throw the ball in this game. His efficiency is better than anyone ever in this game. His deameanor and sense of calm on the mound whether it be spring training, first game of the season or the last game of the World Series is something that can not be replicated. Picture 2001. When he gave up bloop after bloop and cost his team the WS for a fourth consecutive time. He left the mound stoic as if it were just another game (not that it didn't hurt). He isn't sore about it and he understands that it makes him that much tougher.
He is the greatest of all time and yet some idiot with a vote will not think he is a first ballot HOF. That is pretty classless when voting for someone with so much class.
Like Rickey Henderson not being first ballot for someone? What???
Danny, do you know why there are no unanimous HOF players? From what I remember reading its because I think Babe Ruth was not unanimous and the thinking goes that if he wasn't no other player should be. I'm not 100% sure of the facts with that but from what I remember that is why.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure I have heard the same story about the Ruth thing BUT that is retarded anyway. That person who didn't put him as first ballot is the biggest moron in the history of voting for anything.
I got home late because of market week at the job so I began watching in the 5th and the Yanks were down 5-1, maybe you're right & the decision to go with Burnett comes back to bite the Yanks in the ass, but I don't think a well rested Pedro will do much, the Phils will be lucky if Pedro can repeat what he gave them in game 2.
Another thing that concerns me about the Phils was how they didn't even have Lidge come out for the save last night, it tells me they lost trust in him & that's not a good thing, you know the Phillies had some serious problem closing games during the regular season & we all know no lead is safe vs this Yankee team, you saw it last night, Plus if there is a game 7 who will pitch for the Phils? Hamels? I doubt it, he has begun talking about how he wished this season was over so that he can start a fresh one, not exactly words I want to here from my possible game 7 starter, if I were the Phils I would go with AJ Happ, cause the only thing Hamels has proven this season is that you cant trust him.
Freddy, you mkae very good points. I think the Yanks close it out in six anyway. You have to tip your cap to Lee twice. Like Ray said last night, you have to love that we made them sweat for the win.
It's good to bring the celebration back in New York. It hasn't happened in 13 yrs. Let's do this.
Freddy, where do u work?
Would you trust Lidge? I wouldn't after what happened on Sunday night. As for a possible game 7, it would probably be Hamel, if him and Myers can stop fighting, or I read that Lee is not out of the question. I'm just hoping that the Yankees wrap it up in 6, because we all know that anything can happen in a game 7.
I have to admit that the Yanks made me sweat last night, I thought they were going to pull it out but then Jeter DB was the end, now we have a game 6 in NY with 2 old warriors on the hill Pedro vs Pettite, I think the Yanks will win in 6 as well, but a game 7 will make things very interesting, I know you guys wont want to see this series go to a game 7 cause that would be too intense, the possibilities of that happening are there, but can Pedro turn things that way? To be honest I don’t see it, what I see is Pedro getting ripped in 4 innings, even if he gives the Phillies something can the bullpen hold? That’s another problem right there.
Andy Pettite has been the goods, but if I’m the Yankees I worry about Utley, that guy is hitting lefties & righty like it don’t matter, Howard, that guy is stinking it up big time, I think to much lefties, Sabathia & Pettite has been to much for a guy who has always been a strikeout machine, no doubt he will break the strikeout record, all he needs is one more. Anyways, things just got more interesting.
Danny I work as a shipping clerk for a buying office which is in the garment district, it’s all about shipping packages and dealing with lots of samples, I been doing that for almost 20 years & to be honest it is nothing special but it is something I’ve become comfy with & I like that I pretty much come and go when I want. Could use more money though, but it pays the bills.
imagine a game 7? edge Phillies.
Yeah, if it goes 7 the edge would have to go to the Phils because the Yankees would have the weight of the universe on their shoulders but having CC and being at home is a huge advantage for Yankees as well. Like I said, lets hope it doesnt get that far.
Well speak for yourself, I want game 7, but I think it all ends tomorrow, Pedro tricking the Yankees? doubt it.
Incredibly, I agree with Freddy. I don't see Pedro getting out of the fourth. He can fool the Yanks once but no way does he do it again. That guy is too smart for his own good.
I disagree. Advantage Yanks in game 7. I don't think there is pressure YOU think there is on them. The players . . . THESE players aren't like that. Not this year.
You better hope there is no game 7, it will be like playing with house money for the Phillies if it gets that far.
Cliff Lee said he will be ready if needed.
Cliffy is the least of my worries. He could be ready but he wouldn't be good in my opinion. Cliff on two days rest? I welcome it.
Yeah, if it gets to a game 7 the Phils are definetly playing with house money at that point.
As for Lee I doubt he would start, he would probably throw an inning or 2 if needed.
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