The Yankees take game two of the World Series by going back to the formula that works so well for them. The 3 P's, pitching, patience and then pouncing. AJ Burnett was spectacular tonight mesmerizing the Phillies hitters with a good fastball and better breaking pitch. His curveball kept the other side puzzled.
Yankees got the timely hits that they needed from Mark Texiera and Matsui, each with a solo homerun, Matsui's put the Yanks up by one in the 7th. After Phillies pitching game, Jerry Hairston Jr and Melky Cabrera followed with singles off of Pedro Martinez, who I was shocked to see him start the 7th inning before giving up the homer to Matsui.
What was the Philly manager Manuel thinking? Pedro got out of a jam in the 6th, that should of been it. This is baseball not Pedro's Ego vs. Yankees. Pedro is clearly not what he was in the past, but still is a crafty and smart pitcher. But apparently, Charlie Manuel did not get the memo that the Yankees own Pedro late in the game and has for past 5-6 years.
After Pedro leaves the game, the Yanks' Jorge Posada Victimizes Chan Ho Park with a rope base hit, scoring Brett Gardner, who pinch ran for Hairston Jr. The Yankees would have had a chance to score more, if not for the umpires. MLB announced that they would use veteran umps for the game and they can't get it right. Obviously on the ball hit by Johnny Damon, Ryan Howard short hopped the ball. He knew it because he made the move to first, before throwing to second where Rollins tagged Posada and the umpire called him out.
Girardi had no choice but to put Mariano Rivera in the 8th asking the legendary closer for 2 innings, to seal the Yankee victory and getting the Yankees even in this World Series. But tonight’s game goes to AJ Burnett for keeping the Phillies in a stooper at the plate. The series now shifts to Philadelphia. Strap yourself in folks, the fun has just begun.
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-Dre
