Damon Comes Through in the Clutch
In the bottom of the 9th inning, with two outs and no one on base and a score of 4-4, Johnny Damon stepped to the plate. After eight pitches, Damon had worked the count full (3 balls, two strikes) after starting the at bat 1-2.
On the 9th pitch of the at bat, the Yankee’s left fielder slapped a pitch to left field for a single. On the first pitch of the next at bat, with Mark Teixeira at the plate and later hit by pitch, safely stole 2nd base and then 3rd. The Phillies defense was shifted to account for the switch hitting Teixeira, batting from the left side of the plate. This shift left third base wide open, for an easy 2-base steal by Damon.
With runners on 1st and 3rd, Alex Rodriguez doubled deep to left field, scoring Johnny Damon, the go ahead run. Jorge Posada followed Rodriguez with a 2-RBI single, putting the Yankees up, 7-4, heading into the bottom of the 9th.
Mariano Rivera came in and closed out the 9th in the fashion that only Rivera can, 3 up, 3 down, in an 8 pitch outing for the Hall of Fame closer.
With tonight’s win, the series now stands at 3 games to 1, in the Yankees favor. New York can close out the series tomorrow night with a win.
Tomorrow’s game is Philadelphia’s last chance to take advantage of their home field advantage. Cliff Lee is starting for the Phillies in tomorrow night in a must win for Philadelphia. A.J. Burnett will start for the Yankees, going on 3 days rest.
Whether the Phillies win tomorrow night or not may not matter, as with home field in the Yankees’ favor the final two games, New York is in great position to close out this series either tomorrow night in Philadelphia or back home in Yankee Stadium on Wednesday.
