Big Bats Bow to Brilliant Burnett

Massive lineups and immense hitters took a backseat to prodigious pitching for the second straight World Series contest. Pedro Martinez and A.J. Burnett intertwined intensity with biting curveballs and accuracy to match marvelous mechanics in game two. The Yankees pulled out a 3-1 victory in yet another come-from-behind Bomber celebration. The arbitrary ace A.J. authored an awesome answer to the Yankees’ game one loss. He pitched well enough to spoil the show and steal the stadium spotlight from Pedro. Martinez threw heat in the upper 80’s and held New York without a run through three innings. The sarcastically sullen starter for Philadelphia darted changeups past the meat of the Yankee lineup, fooling them with 70mph breakers. The 38 year old allowed three runs and scattered six hits, while fanning eight Yankees. Philadelphia skipper, Charlie Manuel, sent Pedro out to the mound in the seventh inning. The Yankees scored an insurance run off Chan Ho Park in relief during the frame. Martinez allowed a pair of singles to lead off the seventh before being pulled by Manuel. Bomber backstop, Jorge Posada, stepped to the plate in a pinch-hitting role and promptly delivered an RBI single to centerfield off Park. It was only a small lead, but enough for All-star closer, Mariano Rivera, to seal the deal for the home team. Rivera worked two innings for his first save of the series. He earned his save this time. Mariano worked out of an eighth inning jam with two Phillies on base. Rivera induced Chase Utley into a double play grounder to Robinson Cano. The double play bill preserved the two run New York lead. In the ninth, Rivera struck out Ryan Howard to complete the MVP first baseman’s “golden sombrero” night of four strikeouts. The closer got Jayson Werth out on an infield linedrive before issuing a double to the relentless Raul Ibanez. Resilient Rivera ended game two by striking out light-hitting, Matt Stairs.
Burnett was brilliant in recorded his first win this post-season. The Phillies provided the Yankees with a practical lead to overcome, and Burnett was solid until his offense came through. Both lineups drove up the pitch counts against the scheduled starters and worked deep into their at-bats. The usually wild Burnett walked just two batters in outlasting his opponent on the hill. Burnett struck out Ibanez and Stairs, both looking, in the top of the seventh. Third baseman, Pedro Feliz, hit a roller to Derek Jeter to conclude Burnett’s effort and the Philadelphia seventh. Mark Teixeira and Hideki Matsui belted solo homeruns off Martinez. Teixeira’s fourth inning smack tied the game at one. DH Matsui provided two hits to lead all New York sluggers. Matsui always embraces his role as an abrasive clutch hitter. When the Japanese megastar is in his element, the Yankees usually win games.
The series is notched once again. The bullpens for both clubs will be critical in determining the series. It’s important to protect the leads. Andy Pettitte and Cole Hamels meet in Philadelphia for a game three Halloween thriller. Be there, or be scare!

Parting points: Kudos to Jose Molina for throwing out a baserunner at first last night. That pick would have never happened if Jorge Posada was behind the plate. Defense wins games in these close playoff contests. Without question, Molina is better defensively at the catcher position. But the Yankees do need Posada’s bat in the lineup. It should be interesting to see how the lineup is shaped for the NL park in the next three games.