subject: Mlb- Phillies Take Game 1 Of The World Series Against The Yankees [print this page] The Philadelphia Phillies, MLB defending champions, played at the New York Yankee Stadium, this Tuesday, and crushed the Yankees squad 6-1 in a game that made it clear, that, against the odds, the Phillies will be a tough bone to swallow. Very little could Arod, Jeter and Matsui do against Cliff Lee, who, although pitching against the team that led the league in win, homers and runs, never lost his cool.
Cliff Lee put out the best of his repertoire last night: spiked curveball, deceptive changeup and his well known pinpoint fastball, allowing him to pitch a six hitter while striking out 10 players without a walk. Not bad for his first appearance in the World Series.
A lot was said about the 6 day lay over, since the Phillies won the National League Series Championship and the World Series opener. But it certainly did not affect the performance of the team. They played precise, intelligent, well-planned baseball all night long. An almost perfect game for Cliff and his teammates, until the 9th inning when Jimmy Rollins, Short Stop, threw away a double-play relay, allowing Derek Jeter to score. One thing is certain: before last nights game, the Yankees were favorites by a 2 to 1 margin; after last nights performance, the road ahead would not be as smooth as it seemed.
New York Yankees starting pitcher, CC Sabathia, was certainly not having the best night of his career. CC Sabathia was outdueled by Lee. He allowed two homers from Philadelphias second baseman Chase Utley in the 3rd and 6th innings thus giving a 2-0 lead to the Phillies.
In the top of the eighth inning Philadelphia scored two more runs and worked their way up to a 4-0 lead after Ibanez hit a bouncing ball grounder to the right side of the infield. This allowed Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino to come around the home plate and score.
For most of the game, Cliff was untouchable. He struck out Jorge Posada and Alex Rodriguez each three times. This was the first time that Rodriguez fanned out in a game three times since July 30th.
It was Derek Jeter who did most of the damage for the Yankees. Not that it was much, but still, he was able to double and single twice. Not much was left to do but recognize that Lee was having an amazing evening. "He was great. He's been pitching like that the whole year, the last two years, the postseason," Jeter said. "I don't think it's much of a surprise."
In the top of the 9th inning, after their fourth pitching change since the 8th inning, the Yankees lined up Brian Bruney. Shane Victorino connected a single to the right allowing Ruiz to score from third and Rollins to move to second base. Then Phill Coke relieved Bruney. Ryan Howard hit a double to the right, allowing Rollins to Score for a 6-0 advantage.
On the bottom of the 9th, Mark Teixeira reached on fielderss choice to second, allowing Derek Jeter to score, while Damon was punched out at second base, because of second baseman Rollins throwing error. Needless to say, many New York fans missed that last scored run, since they had left disappointed before the game ended.
Game 1of the World Series went without much of a dispute from the Yankees to the Philadelphia Phillies. But like the New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi observed, One thing, he (Cliff Lee) cant pitch every day.
This Thursday night, Pedro Martinez will try to bring some of Lees magic back when he has to pitch against A.J. Burnett for game number 2 of the World Series.
