Ryght Now

Game 6

Wednesday, November 4, 2009 - 7:57 PM (ET) at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York

New York Yankees – 7, Philadelphia Phillies – 3

WP: Andy Petitte (2-0)  LP: Pedro Martinez (0-2)
HRs:  PHI — Ryan Howard (1)  NYY — Hideki Matsui (3)

This game was the first Game 6 in a World Series since the 2003 World Series six years earlier, the longest such period in the history of the World Series.Prior to the game Mary J. Blige, a native of The Bronx, performed “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The Yankees struck first with an Alex Rodriguez walk opening the bottom of the second inning followed by a two-run home run by Hideki Matsui. The Phillies quickly responded with a triple by Carlos Ruiz and a run scoring on a Jimmy Rollins sacrifice fly in the top of the third. Matsui answered back, adding to the Yankee lead again with a single with the bases loaded in the bottom of the third, scoring Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon. Damon, injured running the bases while scoring, was replaced defensively in the top of the fourth by Jerry Hairston, Jr. Phillies starter Pedro Martinez was removed after just four innings, relieved in the fifth by Chad Durbin. Durbin allowed a ground rule double to Jeter, who advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Hairston and scored on a single by Mark Teixeira. Durbin then hit Alex Rodriguez and was relieved by J.A. Happ after recording just one out. Happ allowed a two-run double to Matsui, his fifth and sixth RBI of the game which tied a World Series record for most RBI in a single game set by Bobby Richardson in the 1960 World Series.

The Phillies brought the game closer in the top of the sixth inning as Chase Utley drew a walk and Ryan Howard followed him with a two-run home run, bringing the game to 7-3. After Raúl Ibáñez hit a double into right field, Joba Chamberlain relieved Andy Pettitte and closed the sixth without scoring. Chan Ho Park came in for Happ, ending any Yankee threat that inning. Chamberlain was relieved by Damaso Marte in the top of the seventh after allowing two baserunners, but Marte struck out Chase Utley to end the inning scoreless. After Park allowed a single to Alex Rodriguez Scott Eyre replaced him. Eyre allowed Rodriguez to steal second and intentionally walked Jorge Posada but escaped the inning without allowing a run.

Marte recorded one out, a strikeout of Ryan Howard, in the top of the eighth inning. This strikeout was particularly notable as with it Ryan Howard set a new World Series record for most strikeouts in a single series with a total of 13. After the out, Marte was relieved by the Yankees closer Mariano Rivera in a non-save situation. Rivera allowed a double to Raúl Ibáñez, but no runs, in the eighth. After retiring the first two batters in the eighth, Eyre gave way to Ryan Madson who allowed a single to Jeter before ending the bottom of the eighth inning. Matt Stairs led off the ninth as a pinch hitter, but lined out. Carlos Ruiz worked a walk from Rivera, but successive outs by Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino ended the game 7-3.