Tagged: Philadelphia Phillies
Phillies Win Game 5; Yankees Still Lead Series, 3-2
No second guessing [here] on my part regarding Joe Girardi’s decision to pitch A. J. Burnett on three games rest in Game 5 of the World Series against the Phillies. Even though A.J. was terrible in his start … in my view, Girardi, and the Yankees braintrust, made the right move in sending Burnett to the mound because basically: what other options did they have?
Chad Gaudin, the only possible fourth starter for the Yanks in this series, has not pitched in about a month. He would have pitched no more than three to five innings. So, it would have made very little sense in taking a chance with Gaudin on the mound instead of Burnett, especially, with all the ineffectiveness out of the bullpen.
A.J. was brought to the Bronx to pitch big games for the Yanks, and it seems very clear to me: Game 5 of the World Series was a “big” game. Since Burnett was available to pitch on three games rest, then, there really was no other choice for Girardi, but to pitch A.J. over Gaudin. Period.
There is no way to sugarcoat A.J. Burnett’s performance, though — he was awful.
A.J., who had a solid outing in Game 2, lasted only two innings, allowing, six runs, on four hits, four walks, and two strikeouts.
He was replaced by David Robertson with no outs in the third inning, after walking Utley and Howard, and, then, allowing RBI singles to Jayson Werth and Raul Ibanez before being taken out of the game. Robertson allowed one more run to score for a 6-1 Phillies lead before getting out of the jam without any further damage.
The Phillies took their first lead, 3-1, in the bottom of the first inning on a three-run homer by Chase Utley after the Yanks scored a run in the top of the inning.
In the seventh inning, the Phillies increased their lead to 8-2 on solo home runs by Utley and Ibanez. Utley’s homer was his fifth of the series, tying Reggie Jackson’s record of five homers in the Yankees victory over the Dodgers in the 1977 World Series.
In the meantime, Phillies starter, Cliff Lee pitched seven solid innings before getting into trouble in the top of the eight inning.
Johnny Damon led off the eight with a single which was followed by a single by Mark Teixeira and a two-RBI double by Alex Rodriguez that cut the Phillies lead to 8-4.
Lee (2-0), was replaced by Chan Ho Park with no outs in the eight.
Park faced Nick Swisher, who advanced Rodriguez on a ground ball out. A-Rod then scored on a sac-fly by Robinson Cano that made the score 8-5.
The Yankees scored their final run in the top of the ninth, before Ryan Madson closed out the Phillies 8-6 victory.
The 2009 World Series now heads to the Beautiful Bronx for Game 6, with the New York Yankees leading the series “three” games to “two” over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Another classic pitching match-up is on tap …
Andy Pettitte, (Yankees) vs. Pedro Martinez, (Phillies).
In my view, I think both starters will pitch well, with Andy out-dueling Pedro into the seventh inning.
But, the key for a Yankees win will be a solid bridge directly from Pettitte, with seven strong innings pitched, to the “Great Mariano” Rivera, closing out the Yankees World Series winning final game by recording a two-inning save, pitching a scoreless eight and ninth innings.
Andy to Mariano is: “THE BRIDGE TO VICTORY” !!!
And, a final note: I look for huge offensive numbers by: Hideki Matsui, Jorge Posada, and Mark Teixeira in tonight’s game.
“GO YANKEES” !!!
ONE MORE WIN FOR #27 !!!
Enjoy the game tonight …
— Jimmy, “BY&L”
Damon’s Daring Dash Sparks Yanks 7-4 Win In Game 4
With two outs and the score tied 4-4 in the top of the ninth inning of Game 4 of the 2009 World Series against the Phillies, Johnny Damon battled at the plate until he stroked Brad Lidge’s ninth pitch of the at bat to leftfield for a single that started yet another late-inning rally by the Bronx Bombers.
Then, on the first pitch to next batter Mark Teixeira, Damon took off for second and easily stole the base. On the play, with the shift on the right side of the infield for Teix, Damon quickly poped up from his slide, spun around, and sprinted towards third base which was not covered by any Phillie player because of the shift, earning Johnny an unchallenged second stolen base on a very rare base running play.
The unusual turn of events clearly unnerved the Phillies closer as Lidge then hit Teixeira that set up a first and third situation for Alex Rodriguez.
And, A-Rod delivered … one of his biggest hits as a Yankee, a RBI double that plated Damon with the go-ahead run, moving the Yankees into the 5-4 lead.
Jorge Posada followed with a two-RBI single that scored Teixeira and Rodriguez with two big insurance runs, capping the scoring in the Yankees 7-4 victory.
The Great Mariano Rivera closed out the Yankees win with an easy one-two-three ninth inning that gave the Bombers a three games to one lead in the 2009 World Series.
The Yankees starter on the mound, CC Sabathia, was pitching with three days rest, and gave the Yanks a very solid effort even though he struggled throughout his six and two-thirds innings of work in which he gave up three runs, on seven hits, three walks, and six strikeouts, while throwing 107 pitches.
Damaso Marte recorded the final out of the seventh inning, protecting the Yanks 4-3 lead as the game entered the eight.
Joba Chamberlain was then called on to build the “Bridge to Mariano”. But, even though Joba struck out the side, he allowed a two-out, solo homer to Pedro Feliz on a three-two pitch that resulted in the Phillies tying the score at 4-4.
The Yankees jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first off Phillies starter Joe Blanton on a lead-off single by Derek Jeter, which was followed by a double by Damon, and, a RBI groundout by Teixeira; A-Rod reaching first on a hit-by-pitch; and, a sac-fly by Posada.
The hit-by-pitch was the third time Alex has been hit in this Series, and resulted in the home plate umpire issuing warnings to both benches. It seems obvious, the Phillies would rather hit A-Rod with one pitch instead of using four balls to walk him to first.
Anyway, the Phillies scored one run in the bottom of the first to cut the Yanks lead in half; and, scored again in the fourth to tie the score 2-2.
Then, in the top of the fifth, Nick Swisher walked; Melky Cabrera singled; Jeter [2-for-4], hit a RBI single that gave the Yanks a 3-2 lead; which was followed by a RBI single by Damon [3-for-5], that increased the Bombers lead to 4-2 at the time.
Blanton delivered a serviceable six innings starting this game for the Phillies, a move that has been, and will always be questioned, as manager Charlie Manuel decided “not” to pitch his “ace” Cliff Lee on three days rest, which would have matched Lee up against the Yankees “ace” CC Sabathia who “was” working on three days rest.
Advantage Joe Girardi on these pitching decisions, as the Yankees manager has perfectly set CC in the rotation to pitch games one, four, and seven [if necessary].
So, the New York Yankees are now up in this Series 3-1, with A.J. Burnett [on three days rest] taking the mound against Cliff Lee in Game 5.
Alex Rodriguez had the game-winning hit in Game 4; but, it was Johnny Damon’s classic nine-pitch at-bat; single; and two stolen bases, in the ninth inning that sparked the Yankees victory.
Much like Paul O’Neill’s classic ten-pitch at-bat against Armando Beitez in the ninth inning of Game One of the 2000 World Series against the New York Mets, Damon’s at-bat has now become another special moment in Yankees history.
Johnny Damon’s great game and play in this World Series may lead to him be selected MVP, as the Yankees are on a solid path to their 27th World Championship.
The “Magic Number” is now “ONE” for number 27.
“GO YANKEES” !!!
— Jimmy, “BY&L”
“CG” Lee Out-Duels “CC” In Game 1 Of World Series
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cliff Lee was in total control on the mound in the first game of the 2009 World Series against the New York Yankees, leading the National League Champs to a 6-1 victory over the Bronx Bombers.
Cliff Lee was brilliant, dazzling Yankee batters with a devastating curveball throughout his 122 pitch effort, that produced ten strikeouts, while Lee allowed one unearned run, six hits [including three hits by Derek Jeter], and no walks, in route to his complete game win.
Yankees starter CC Sabathia pitched well enough to win, throwing 113 pitches over seven solid innings of work, allowing only two runs [two solo homers by second baseman Chase Utley: in the third and sixth innings]; on four hits; three walks; and six strikeouts.
When CC was replaced at the start of the eight inning, the Phillies were leading 2-0; and, that’s when the senseless parade of Yankee relievers was put in motion [once again] by grand marshal, Joe Girardi.
The bullpen was awful, collapsing any possible “Bridge to Mariano” before it was even constructed.
Phil Hughes walked two batters at the start of the eight, and was booed off the mound after being replaced by Damaso Marte who was the most effective Yankee reliever, retiring the two batters he faced.
With two outs, David Robertson replaced Marte, and promptly issued a four-pitch walk to load the bases. Then, Robertson gave up a two-RBI single to the next batter Raul Ibanez that increased the Phillies lead to 4-0.
Brian Bruney, who for reasons unknown was added to the World Series roster, allowed the final two Phillies runs in the ninth, without any help from Phil Coke – the final Yankee pitcher out of the pen. This continued ineffectiveness put the game out of reach for the Yanks as Cliff Lee was still on the mound painting his masterpiece.
The Yankees scored a meaningless unearned run in the bottom of the ninth on a throwing error by shortstop Jimmy Rollins on a double play attempt that capped the scoring in the Phillies 6-1 victory.
Maybe, even if CC Sabathia was allowed to stay in this game into the ninth inning, it still would not have made a difference in the score because Cliff Lee was just way too dominant on this night in the Bronx.
But, Joe Girardi has to stop “over-managing” the bullpen the rest of this World Series.
If four, or five, [or more], Yankee relievers are constantly brought into each game, the odds are: not all these pitchers are going to be effective and pitch well. The only bridge to Mariano Rivera should be built directly from the starting pitcher each game.
And, maybe, even allowing the Yankees starters to complete some games would be a very refreshing path to victory.
Just look at the game Cliff Lee pitched in Game One — a “CG” victory.
It is time for Manager Joe Girardi to forget about “pitch-counts”; “inning limitations”; “righty/lefty pitching matchups”; or, “using the middle relievers” out of the Yankees bullpen.
Let the starters pitch into the eight and ninth innings; then, go to the “Great Mariano”.
This is the reason why CC, A.J., and Andy were given huge contracts in 2009 — to start, and lead the Yankees to victory.
There will be plenty of time to rest after the World Series is over; and, the deeper our starters pitch in each game, the greater the Yankees chances of winning their 27th World Championship this year.
— Jimmy, “BY&L”
Road To The 2009 MLB World Championship
I do not usually like to make predictions ’cause you never know how a baseball game or series is going to turn out. Any team can get hot at the right time of the year, and go on to win big ball games and Championship series’, all the way to winning the World Series.
Also, if the New York Yankees are involved in any playoff or World Series games, I am always going to to root for my all-time favorite team, the Bronx Bombers, throughout the post-season. So, I will never pick the Yankees to lose a series.
With all the above said, the following are my views on which teams will win the Division and Championship Series’ in both leagues, and, also, the 2009 World Series winner …
ALDS
Yankees over Twins — 4 games
Red Sox over Angels — 5 games
NLDS
Dodgers over Cardinals — 5 games
Phillies over Rockies — 4 games
ALCS
Yankees over Red Sox — 7 games
NLCS
Dodgers over Phillies — 7 games
WORLD SERIES
New York Yankees over Los Angeles Dodgers — 6 games
The New York Yankees, 2009 World Champions …
Their 27th World Championship !!!
Congratulations to all teams playing in the 2009 Post-Season !!!
May every “game” and each “series” be fun and exciting to watch !!!
Everybody, enjoy all the baseball action !!!
— Jimmy, “BY&L”
Philadelphia Phillies Win 2008 World Series
The Philadelphia Phillies entered Game 5 of the 2008 World Series, leading the Tampa Bay Rays, three games to one. This game started on Monday night, October 27th; and, finally ended about 50 hours later, Wednesday night, October 29, 2008, with the Phillies beating the Rays, 4-3, to become baseball’s 2008 World Champions.
Congratulations to the Philadelphia Phillies !!!
Of course, the rain also played a big part in this World Series, causing the series to be suspended for 48 hours, the first time a World Series has been interrupted by a suspended game.
It was worth the wait, though, as the final three innings of this game were full of baseball action, and only took 1 hour, and 21 minutes to play. Imagine that, a World Series game that actually finished before 10:00 p.m. in the eastern part of our Country. I made a point of looking at the clock right after the final out was recorded, and there it was 9:58 p.m.
On Fox, CH 5, in New York, at 10:00 p.m., they usually make an announcement, “It’s 10:00 p.m. Do you know where your children are”? Well, hopefully, there were many children, the young baseball fans of the future, in front of their T.V. screens watching the final out of a World Series, and the celebration that followed by the Phillies.
Under regular circumstances, this game would have ended about 12:30 a.m., or later, in the early morning of the next day. So, a very “rare” basball event, indeed. Even, rarer than a shutout, or complete game — a World Series game that ended before midnight, and on the same day it started. Well, this game started on Monday, and ended on Wedneday. But, I think you get the picture.
When Game 5 was suspended, the score was tied, 2-2, going into the bottom of the 6th inning. Then, the rain took center stage for two days.
The Phillies quickly broke the tie in the bottom of the 6th off Rays reliever, Grant Balfour, on a lead off double by pinch-hitter, Geoff Jenkins, who advanced to second base on a sac-bunt by Jimmy Rollins, and scored on a RBI single by Jayson Werth, to move the Phillies into the 3-2 lead.
Rays Manager, Joe Maddon, then brought J.P. Howell into pitch, who got out of the jam, retiring the next two batters without any further damage.
The Rays came right back in the top of the 7th, when after Dioner Navarro struck out leading off the inning against Phillies reliever, Ryan Madson; Rocco Baldelli blasted a solo homerun to leftfield, to tie the score again, 3-3.
Tampa Bay continued the rally with a single by next batter, Jason Bartlett, who advanced to second on a sac-bunt by pitcher J.P. Howell. Then, Akinori Iwamura hit a ball up the middle that looked like it would roll into the outfield and drive home the go-ahead run.
But, second baseman, Chase Utley, made a great play to field the ball, then faked a throw to first base, instead turning towards home, firing the ball to catcher, Carlos Ruiz, who placed the tag on Bartlett for the final out of the inning. Bartlett may have ran through the stop sign by the third base coach, trying to score the run, on what was scored a single by Iwamura.
Philadelphia completed the scoring in this game in the bottom of the 7th inning, starting with a lead off double off the left-centerfield wall by Pat Burrell, on which he really didn’t hustle [on] out of the box; and, as Fox TV, Baseball Analyst, Tim McCarver said, “Burrell could have been on third with a triple if he hustled”. McCarver continued by saying, “Burrell ‘could have’, not ‘should have’ been on third”, taking into consideration the old baseball adage, “never make the first or last out of an inning at third”.
Burrell advanced to third base anyway, though, on a grounder to second, after a couple of failed sac-bunt attempts, by Shane Victorino.
Pedro Feliz then stroked a RBI single, driving home Burrell with the Phillies 4th run, that turned out to be the winning run in this historic World Series game.
The Rays tried once again to comeback in this game, as Carl Crawford led off the top of the 8th inning with a single. But, B.J. Upton grounded into a 6-4-3 double play; and, Carlos Pena flied out to left, keeping the score in favor of the Phillies, 4-3.
David Price pitched a scoreless 8th inning for the Rays, to send the game into the top of the 9th, with the Phillies needing three outs for victory.
Phillies Manager, Charlie Manuel, brought in Brad Lidge to close out this game.
And, Lidge delivered.
He got Evan Longoria to pop-out to second base for out number one; then, after Navarro singled, and pinch-runner, Fernando Perez, stole second, Lidge retired pinch-hitter, Ben Zobrist, on a hard line drive to rightfield, for the second out of the 9th. And, finally, Brad Lidge, struck out, pinch-hitter, Hinske, to record the last out of the game, saving the Phillies 4-3 victory, to win the World Series, crowning the Philadelphia Phillies the 2008 Baseball World Champions.
It was a fun World Series, and the Phillies deserved to win their well-earned victory.
Congratulations to the World Series MVP, the Phillies ace starter, Cole Hamels.
Congratulations to Rays Manager, Joe Maddon, and the whole Tampa Bay Rays organization for an awesome 2008 Baseball Season.
And, Congratulations, once again, to Phillies Manager, Charlie Manuel, and all in the Philadelphia Phillies organization for their great season; and, their victory in this World Series, winning the 2008 Baseball World Championship.
Yanks Sweep Phillies To Win 1950 World Series
Saturday, October 7, 1950 — Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York — In “Game 4” of the 1950 World Series, the Yankees scored two runs in the first inning, and three runs in the sixth inning; and, that’s all the runs they would need, to beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 5-2, sweeping the first four games of this best of seven series, to win the 1950 World Championship.
The Yankees jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead off Phillies starting pitcher, Bob Miller (11-6; 3.57 ERA), in the bottom of the first, when Gene Woodling led off the inning by reaching first on an error; advanced to second on a Phil Rizzuto ground out; and, scored the first run on a RBI single by Yogi Berra. Berra then scored the Bombers second run on a RBI double by Joe DiMaggio.
After the second run scored, Phillies manager, Eddie Sawyer, replaced Miller with the National League’s MVP, Jim Konstanty, who retired the next two batters, Johnny Mize and Bobby Brown, to close out the first inning without any further damage.
The Phillies had a couple of chances to score off Yankees starting pitcher, Whitey Ford (9-1; 2.81 ERA), in the first and fourth innings, when they had two runners on base in each inning, but did not score; with the 4th inning ending in a 3-3-2 double play.
In the bottom of the 6th, Yogi Berra hit a lead off homeun; then, DiMaggio reached first on a hit by pitch, and scored on a triple by Bobby Brown. Hank Bauer was up next, and drove home Brown on a sac-fly to leftfield, increasing the Yankees lead to 5-0.
In the meantime, Whitey Ford was cruising along with a shutout going into the top of the 9th inning when he pitched himself into a little trouble.
Ford walked lead off batter Willie Jones; hit the next batter, Del Ennis; and, then, got Dick Sisler to hit into a force play at second, setting up a first and third situation, with one out. Ford then struck out Granny Hamner for the second out of the inning.
So, with two outs, Andy Seminick was the last chance up at the plate to keep the game going for the Phillies. Seminick hit a fly ball to leftfield that looked like it was going to be the final out of the game, but Gene Woodling made an error that allowed two unearned runs to score, cutting the Yanks lead to 5-2.
The next batter, Mike Goliat, singled, bringing Casey Stengel out of the dugout to replace Ford with Allie Reynolds to get the final out of the game.
The Yankee fans booed this move by Stengel; but, Reynolds struck out pinch-hitter, Stan Lopata, for the final out of the Bronx Bombers 5-2 World Series victory, giving the Yanks the crown of “1950 World Champions”, the New York Yankees 13th World Championship at the time.
This was a great World Series that was dominated by awesome pitching by both teams.
The Yankee pitchers allowed only three earned runs over 37 innings in the series, for a 0.73 ERA.
And, the Phillies also delivered solid pitching efforts, with a 2.27 ERA throughout the series.
Finally, The “Babe Ruth Award”, MVP of the 1950 World Series was awarded to the Yankees second baseman, Jerry Coleman.
To read more about this final Game; and, the 1950 World Series, click on:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA195010070.shtml
1950 World Series, Game Three … Yankees 3, Phillies 2
Friday, October 6, 1950 — Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York — With the Yankees leading this Series, 2-0, Game Three moved to Yankee Stadium in New York.
The pitching matchup featured, Ken Heintzelman (3-9; 4.09 ERA) for the Philadelphia Phillies; vs. Ed Lopat (18-8; 3.47 ERA) starting for the Yankees.
The Yankees scored first in this game in the bottom of the third inning, when after two outs, Phil Rizzuto walked; stole second; advanced to third on a bad throw by catcher, Andy Seminick; and, was driven home on a RBI single by Jerry Coleman, for the 1-0 lead.
In the top of the 6th, the Phillies tied the score, 1-1, on a double to leftfield by Del Ennis, who scored on a RBI single by Dick Sisler.
The Phillies then went ahead in the game in the top of the 7th inning, on a lead off single by Granny Hamner, who advanced to second on a sac-bunt by Seminick; and, scored on a RBI single by Mike Goliat that gave Philadelphia a 2-1 lead.
This back-and-forth game became tied again in the bottom of the 8th. After two outs, the Yankees loaded the bases on three straight walks, that knocked Heintzelman out of the game. Jim Konstanty was brought in from the Phillies bullpen, by manager, Eddie Sawyer, to try to get out of this jam without any runs scoring.
Konstanty did his job, getting Bobby Brown [pinch-hitting for Hank Bauer] to hit a groundball to short. But, the ball was misplayed by shortstop Hamner for an error that allowed Coleman to score the tying run.
Johnny Mize was the next batter up, and Konstanty got him to pop out to third, leaving the bases loaded, and the game in a 2-2 deadlock.
Ed Lopat was pinch hit for in the bottom of the 8th, so his work was finished in this game, after pitching a solid eight innings, allowing two runs, on nine hits, no walks, and five strikeouts.
Yankees manager, Casey Stengel, called in reliever, Tom Ferrick, to pitch the 9th inning; and, even though Ferrick allowed two runners to get on base, the Phillies did not score a run, sending this game into the bottom of the 9th still tied, 2-2.
Russ Meyers was now pitching for the Phillies, and quickly retired the first two Yankee batters, making it look like the game might go into extra innings.
But, then, the Yankees stroked three straight singles — a single to centerfield by Gene Woodling; a Phil Rizzuto (1-for-3; 1 Run), single, also to centerfield, that advanced Woodling to second base; and, then, finally, a game-winning, RBI single by Jerry Coleman (3-for-4; 1 Run; 2 RBI’s), driving home Woodling with the winning run in the Yankees 3-2 victory.
This win gave the New York Yankees a “three games to none” lead against the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1950 World Series.
For more about Game Three in this series, and, also, the 1950 World Series, click on:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA195010060.shtml
In the 2008 World Series, the Philadelphia Phillies took a 3-1 lead in this series against the Tampa Bay Rays, over the weekend.
Game 3 — Saturday, October 25, 2008 — Phillies 5, Rays 4
Game 4 — Sunday, October 26, 2008 — Phillies 10, Rays 2
Game 5 — is scheduled to be played, Monday, October 27th, in Philadelphia.
1950 World Series, Game Two … Yankees 2, Phillies 1
Thursday, October 5, 1950 — Shibe Park, Philadelphia — In Game 2 of the 1950 World Series, the New York Yankees won another classic game against the Philadelphia Phillies, as the game went into extra innings tied 1-1, when Joe DiMaggio hit a dramatic lead-off homerun in the top of the 10th inning that gave the Yankees the 2-1 lead.
The Bronx Bombers held onto that lead, closing out the game in the bottom of the 10th, to take a 2-0 lead in this Series.
Just like in Game One, when Vic Raschi of the Yankees, out-dueled, Jim Konstanty of the Phillies, in the Yanks 1-0 win; Game Two delivered two more great pitching performances, by Allie Reynolds, the Yankees starter; and, Robin Roberts, who started for the Phillies. Both pitchers completed the full 10 innings each team played, with Reynolds ending up the victor.
The Yankees scored the first run of the game in the top of the second, when after two outs, Jerry Coleman walked; advanced on a single by Allie Raynolds; and, then scored on a RBI infield single to short by Gene Woodling. Yankees 1, Phillies 0.
In the bottom of the 5th, the Phillies tied the score. Mike Goliat led off the inning with a single, and after Roberts failed to move him over on a sac-bunt, Eddie Waitkus singled to set-up a first and third situation. Then, Goliat was driven home on a RBI sac-fly to leftfield by Richie Ashburn that evened the score, 1-1.
The Yankees had a chance to take the lead in the top of the 8th, when Bobby Brown and Hank Bauer singled with one out. But, Coleman grounded out; and, then, Reynolds [hitting in this key late-game situation] struck out, ending the rally.
In the bottom of the 9th inning, with one out, Philadelphia had a chance to win this game by getting two runners on base, a double by Granny Hammer, and an intentional walk to Dick Whitman. But, Mike Goliat hit into an inning ending 6-4-3 double play, sending this game into extra innings.
Joe DiMaggio was the lead-off batter for the Yankees in the top of the 10th inning. He was (0-for-4) up to this point in the game, but Joe D. was about to be the hero once again, as he hit a homerun that moved the Bombers into the 2-1 lead.
Robin Roberts shut down the Yankees the rest of the inning without any other runs scoring, which finished his great performance of 10 innings pitched, allowing two runs, on ten hits, three walks, and five strikeouts.
The Phillies started the bottom of the 10th inning with a lead-off walk. But, Reynolds retired the next three batters to complete the Yankees 2-1 victory.
Allie Reynolds pitched a brilliant 10 inning complete game win, giving up one run, on seven hits, four walks, and six strikeouts.
With this 2-1 victory, the Yankees took a 2-0 lead in this series. To read more about this Game Two, and the 1950 World Series, click on:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHI/PHI195010050.shtml
In “Game Two” of the 2008 World Series, the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 4-2, to even this series, one game apiece.
The Rays got on the scoreboard first, when Akinori Iwamura led off the bottom of the first inning with a walk; and, advanced to third on B.J. Upton’s single to right. On the play, Jayson Werth misplayed the ball, allowing Upton to go to second. Then, Iwamura scored on a ground out by Carlos Pena; and, Upton scored on a ground out by Evan Longoria, that gave the Rays the early 2-0 lead.
“Small-Ball”, “Small-Ball”, “Small-Ball” … I wonder if Joe Girardi and the Yankee players were watching?
After the game, Rays Manager, Joe Maddon, made a point to discuss how important small-ball is; and, he said, it is very important to “score runs with outs”.
That was always the philosophy of the great Yankees Manager, Billy Martin, who said, “it’s important to score the first run of a game anyway you can, so the other team would have to score at least two runs to win the game.” Well, in the case of this World Series Game, the Phillies would need at least three runs to win.
The Rays scored another run in the bottom of the second, when they loaded the bases, and B.J. Upton drove home Dioner Navarro on a RBI single. But, on the play, Rocco Baldelli was out at the plate when he tried to score on a nice throw from the outfield to catcher Carlos Ruiz, who held onto the ball for the out, even though Baldelli made a hard slide into Ruiz.
The score was now 3-0, as the game moved into the bottom of the 4th, when Tampa Bay increased their lead to 4-0 on a beautiful safety squeeze by Jason Bartlett that scored Cliff Floyd. [More small-ball by the Rays]
The Phillies had chances to score some runs in the early innings, but Rays starter, James Shields pitched good enough to not allow any runs over his 5.2 innings of work, in which he gave up seven hits, and two walks, while striking out four.
Joe Maddon finally had to go to the bullpen in the 6th inning, when the Phillies had runners on first and third with two outs.
Dan Wheeler was called into the game, and got Pedro Feliz to hit into a fielders choice that ended the rally, holding the Rays 4-0 advantage in the game.
Wheeler walked the lead-off batter, Ruiz, (2-for-2; 1 run; 2 walks), in the top of the 7th inning, before striking out the next two batters, Rollins and Werth, which completed his very effective performance.
Maddon decided to bring in David Price at this point; Price walked Chase Utley, then struck out Ryan Howard to end the Phillies rally, keeping the 4-0 score in favor of the Rays.
Phillies starter, Brett Myers, completed his work in this game after retiring the side in the 7th inning. Myers allowed four runs [three earned], on seven hits, three walks, and two strikeouts.
Price remained in the game in the top of the 8th, and quickly got two outs. But, then, pinch-hitter, Eric Bruntlett, blasted a solo homer off Price, that broke up the shutout, decresing the Rays lead to 4-1. Price then retired the final batter without any further damage.
The Rays didn’t score in the bottom of the 8th, when Phillies reliever, J.C. Romero, pitched a scoreless inning. The game now moved into the top of the 9th inning.
In the 9th, the Phillies scored their second and final run on an error by Evan Longoria; but, David Price then closed out the inning, preserving the Rays 4-1 victory, tying this Series at one game apiece.
Game Three moves to Philadelphia on Saturday, October 25, 2008.
1950 World Series, Game One … Yankees 1, Phillies 0
On Wednesday, October 4, 1950, at Shibe Park, in Philadelphia, the New York Yankees (98-56) played the Philadelphia Phillies (91-63) in Game One of the 1950 World Series.
If the Yankees were the American League representative in the 2008 World Series against the Phillies, there would be many stories about the 1950 Series because it was the only time that the Yankees and Phillies met in Baseball’s Fall Classic.
Game 1 of the 1950 Series was a classic pitching matchup, as Yankees righthander starter, Vic Raschi, (21-8; 4.00 ERA; 1 SV), out-pitched the National League MVP, Phillies righthander, Jim Konstanty, (16-7; 2.66 ERA; 22 SV), leading the Yankees to victory.
Vic Raschi pitched one of the greatest games in World Series history, tossing a complete game, two-hit, 1-0 shutout, allowing only one walk while striking out five, in a game that took 2 hours and 17 minutes to play.
Raschi retired the first 13 batters he faced, before allowing a one-out, 5th inning hit to Willie Jones. Andy Seminick also singled in this inning, setting up a first and second situaton with two outs. But, Raschi struck out Mike Goliat to end the only threat the Phillies made, to score in the game.
The Phillies drew a one out walk in the top of the 6th, but that was it, as far as the Phillies getting any more runners on base. Raschi finished the game as strong as he started by retiring the final 11 batters he faced, to earn the 1-0 shutout that gave the Yankees a 1-0 lead in this series.
The Yankees scored their only run in this game in the top of the 4th, when Bobby Brown led off the inning with a double; advanced to third on a long fly ball to centerfield by Hank Bauer; and, scored on a RBI sac-fly to leftfield by Jerry Coleman [a little small-ball by the 1950 Yankees].
Phillies starter, Jim Konstanty, also had a great game, pitching 8 solid innings, allowing the one run, on four hits, four walks, and no strikeouts. Russ Meyer came in from the bullpen to pitch a scoreless 9th inning for the Phillies, giving up only one hit.
It is also interesting to note: 1950 was the year the great Yankees shortstop, Phil Rizzuto, (.324 BA), won the American League MVP award. And, it was also the first year the great Whitey Ford pitched for the Yankees. Ford had a record of 9-1, with a 2.81 ERA.
Check out more about this game, and the 1950 World Series by clicking on:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHI/PHI195010040.shtml
In the last 87 years, since 1921, the New York Yankees have appeared in 47 Post-Seasons; winning 39 American League Championships; and, 26 World Championships !!!
Check out the “Yankees Post-Season Results” by clicking on:
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/history/postseason_results.jsp
And, yes, there was a World Series “Game One”, on Wednesday, October 22, 2008, in Tampa Bay.
In the first game of the 2008 World Series, the Philadelphia Phillies, led by a solid pitching performance by their starter, Cole Hamels, beat the Tampa Bay Rays, 3-2.
The Phillies jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead, off Rays starter Scott Kazmir, in the top of the first inning, when Jayson Werth walked, and scored on a two-run homerun by Chase Utley, (2-for-4; 1 run; 2 RBI).
In the top of the second, the Phillies had a chance to open up an even bigger lead, by loading the bases with one out. But, on a fly out to centerfield, Shane Victorino, trying to score from third, was thrown out at the plate by B.J. Upton, ending the inning without any runs scoring.
The Phillies did score their final run in the top of the 4th, when Victorino, (2-for-4), who led off the inning with a single, scored on a ground out to short that increased the Phillies lead to 3-0 at the time.
Tampa Bay got on the board in the bottom of the 4th, on a Carl Crawford homerun, desreasing the Phillies lead to 3-1.
Then, in the bottom of the 5th, the Rays scored what turned out to be the final run of the game when Jason Bartlett was driven home on a RBI double by Akinori Iwamura, who was (3-for-4) on the night, cutting the score to 3-2.
Scott Kazmir lasted only six innings in this game, allowing three runs, on six hits, four walks, and four strikeouts. But, four relievers out of the Rays bullpen shut down the Phillies the rest of the way, throwing three scoreless innings, that held Philadelphia to the three runs they scored off Kazmir, giving Tampa Bay a chance to comeback in this game.
The Phillies pitching was just a little better on this night, as Cole Hamels delivered an awesome effort, throwing seven strong innings, allowing two runs, on five hits, and two walks, while striking out five.
And, the Phillies bullpen was just as good as the Rays pen, closing the deal in this game.
Ryan Madson pitched a scoreless 8th; and, Brad Lidge, closed it out by striking out two, while throwing a scoreless 9th inning, to save the Phillies 3-2 victory.
So, the Phillies have the advantage leading this Series 1-0, as “Game 2” will be played on Thursday night, October 23th.
My prediction before this World Series began, was: the Tampa Bay Rays over the Philadelphia Phillies in 7 Games. There is a long way to go in this series, and I still think, when the final out of this World Series is recorded, the Tampa Bay Rays will be the 2008 World Champions.
Baseball, The Yankees, and Life... 