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.

Game 5

Phillies 8, Yankees 6

Monday, November 2, 2009 — 7:57 PM (ET) at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

WP: Cliff Lee (2-0)  LP: A. J. Burnett (1-1)  SV: Ryan Madson (1)
HRs:  PHI — Chase Utley 2 (5), Raul Ibanez (1)

The Yankees replaced Melky Cabrera on their postseason roster with Ramiro Pena due to his injury in Game 4, while Brett Gardner took Cabrera’s place in center field.[43] The Yankees scored first in the first inning, with a Johnny Damon reaching base with a single and then scoring on a two-out double by Alex Rodriguez. The Phillies responded in the bottom of the inning with a single by Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino reaching after being hit by a pitch, and finally a three-run home run by Chase Utley to take the lead. The Phillies added to their lead in the third inning with Chase Utley and Ryan Howard drawing walks followed by RBI singles by Jayson Werth and Raul Ibanez. A. J. Burnett was relieved by David Robertson with no outs in the inning who allowed another run to score on a Carlos Ruiz ground out before the inning was over.

Robertson held the Phillies scoreless for a second inning in the fourth. Jorge Posada entered as a pinch hitter the fifth inning for Jose Molina and ground out. Eric Hinske then pinch hit for Robertson and walked, advanced to third on a Derek Jeter single, and scored on a ground out by Johnny Damon. Alfredo Aceves entered as the new Yankee pitcher in the bottom of the fifth. The first batter he faced, Jayson Werth, hit a deep drive to center field but it was caught for an out by Brett Gardner who collided into the outfield wall to complete the play. Aceves completed the inning without a run scoring, inducing ground outs from Raul Ibanez and Carlos Ruiz. Phil Coke relieved Aceves in the seventh inning and helped two Phillies players tie World Series records. First, Chase Utley tied Reggie Jackson’s record for most home runs in a World Series with a solo home run, his fifth of the series. Coke then struck out Ryan Howard, Howard’s 12th strikeout for the series, tying Willie Wilson’s record for most strikeouts in a World Series. Finally, Coke was driven from the game after allowing another solo home run, this time to Raul Ibanez, and was relieved by Phil Hughes.

Shane Victorino was replaced defensively in the eighth inning by Ben Francisco. Phillies starter Cliff Lee was driven from the game after allowing a single to Johnny Damon followed by a double for Mark Teixeira and a double by Alex Rodriguez that scored both runners. Chan Ho Park relieved Lee and induced a ground out from Nick Swisher which advanced Rodriguez to third base who scored on a sacrifice fly by Robinson Cano. Ryan Madson entered in the ninth to close the game, allowing a double to Jorge Posada and a single to Hideki Matsui without recording an out. Batting with men on first and third base Derek Jeter grounded into a double play, allowing Posada to score but emptying the bases. Johnny Damon would single to bring Mark Teixeira to bat as the potential tying run, but Madson struck Teixeira out to record his first World Series save.