Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
It was like 2008 all over again, with the rain coming down rather viciously - this time before the game even started, resulting in a 1hr 20 minute rain delay. Happy Halloween!!
A little bit more ACTION in this game, also the expectant return of 'Cole Hamels, the 2008 World Series Hero' against the legendary Andy Pettitte.
NYY 8 8 1
PHI 5 6 0
After hearing a quiet Yankees home crowd for Game 1 and 2, the deafening roar of Phillies Phans was amazing. These folks really shamed Yankees fans with their enthusiasm and bloodthirsty support of the defending champs. Hamels didn't seem to be on board, though, as he allowed 5 runs (all earned), 2BBs and 2Ks in 4.1 innings of work. Hamels got the hook after allowing 2 singles, 2 doubles (one of each RBI hits), and a walk - 3 runs scored total, with A-Fraud approaching the plate. Pettitte, however, showed how he earned his stars in 6 formidable innings.
Hamels seemd to open the gate by (suddenly) offering curveballs opening the 5th inning - Swisher took his first for a lead-off double, Pettitte took his second for an RBI single. Pettitte's hit was the 1st RBI by a Yankee pitcher during a World Series game since Jim Bouton in 1964. Hamels post-game comments really sent a shock to many fans, when he commented he couldn't wait for the season to end, as he felt drained. Not really fantastic 'team talk' from a guy who is credited for annihilating the Rays in 2008 - I'm sure he's worn out, but yeah the season HAS ended, your team needs you to stop whining and start focusing on your game. I thought about the New Era commercial - "come on, Cole...keep pounding the corners, get him to chase one outside..." if Phillies fans were to ask him the same question, would he respond "who are YOU?!?"
Nick Swisher broke his drought with the lead-off double, then delivering a pudgy solo jack in the 6th. A-Fraud's HR was originally ruled a double when it bounced off the camera lens near the right field corner - OOPS, move the camera and it's a homer. The call was overruled and for the next game, the camera would be moved.
It started raining again in the bottom of the 8th, but by then it was too late for the Phils...behind by 4, Carlos Ruiz' surprise solo homer in the 9th barely threatened - despite Jayson Werth's lead-off solo homers in the 2nd and 6th respectively. Where Utley liked Sabathia, Werth enjoyed Pettitte almost as much.
All these solo homers - they count, but they didn't add up this time.
Yankees lead the series 2-1.
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