Philadelphia Phillies star 2B Chase Utley homered twice leading the defending World Champions over the New York Yankees 8-6 Monday night at Citizens Bank Park in Pennsylvania. The win helps keep the Phillies alive and narrows the Bronx Bmbers lead to 3-2. After Alex Rodriquez doubled home a run for the Yankees in the 1st, Utley homered with 2 on to make it 3–1 in the bottom of the frame. The Phillies chased Yankees starter A.J. Burnett with a 3 run inning in the 3rd. Utley and LF Raul Ibanez homered vs the NY relief corps in the 7th. The Yankees rallied in the 8th via another clutch hit from Rodriquez(2 run double) that chased Phillies ace Cliff Lee. NY scored another run in the frame and a single run in the 9th vs. Ryan Madson. However, Madson induced a double play from Yankees captain Derek Jeter and struck out power hitting 1B Mark Teixeira to end the game. The series resumes Wednesday in NY with the Yankees still one win away from clinching their 27th World Champion.
Game Notes:
1- Record setter- Utley now has tied Reggie Jackson for the most home runs in 1 World Series after his 5th homer tonight. Mr. October hit 5 in 6 games in 1977 vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers, including 3 in the decisive game 6. On 3 pitches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2- Pulled Yankees- Regular CF Melky Cabrera is out for the remainder of the series with a hamstring injury. Brett Gardner, an upgrade defensively and on the bases, will start in his spot. Backup middle infielder Ramiro Pena took Cabrera’s roster spot on an emergency basis.
3- Hurt Hawaiian- Phillies lead off man and CF Shane Victorino was hit attempting to bunt in the 1st but stayed in the game until the 7th. His finger swelled up and he was pulled.
4- Clutch-Rod- Rodriquez set a Yankees single post season record with his 18th rbi in the game. Not bad for a guy many(This blogger included! ) doubted.
5- Missing Mark- Teixeira went 1 for 5 and is now 2 for 19(.105) in the series. Not good for a man who led the AL in both homers and rbi.
