ANOTHER COMEBACK WIN FOR THE YANKS TO TAKE 2-1 SERIES LEAD

Game 3 started exactly the way the Phillies needed it to.  Cole Hamels set down the Yankees quickly through the first three innings, and the Phils jumped out to a 3-0 lead over Andy Pettitte, threatening in each of the first three innings.  The crowd was roaring, and the Yanks were in a real hole.

But then things started to deteriorate.  After a walk to Texeira with two outs in the 4^th inning, A-Rod hit a shot off a camera in right field which, upon further review, was ruled a homerun to cut the Phils’ lead to 3-2.  The Yanks then tied it in the 5^th with an RBI hit by Andy Pettitte (of all people), and then scored two more runs off a double by Johnny Damon to jump ahead 5-3, Hamels having been knocked out of the game after only 4 1/3 innings.  And then the Yanks continued to pick away at the Phils’ bullpen, tacking on an additional run in the 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th innings to take an 8-5 victory in Game 3.

Needless to say, this was a huge victory for the Yankees.  With Sabathia slated to start in Game 4 against Joe Blanton, the Phils really needed to win Game 3 behind Cole Hamels, their recent ace, and last year’s World Series MVP.  A win in Game 3 would’ve put the Phils on track to maybe win the Series in five games and close it out in Philly like they did last year.  It would also shift the pressure to the Yankees to win Game 4 behind Sabathia on short rest.  And if for some reason the Yankees and Sabathia stumbled in Game 4 – a game they really should win given the pitching matchups – the Phils would have a rested Cliff Lee to close things out in Game 5.

Instead, the Yankees’ victory in Game 3 now puts Philadelphia in the hole.  For one, it means the Series will definitely go back to the Bronx – unless of course if the Yanks win the whole thing in five games.  It also means that the Phils now have to try to win tomorrow with their #4 starter against Sabathia.  Given how good Sabathia has been (even in his Game 1 loss to Cliff Lee), there is now an excellent chance that the Phils will find themselves down 3 games to 1 after tomorrow night. 

Clutch performances in Game 3 included Nick Swisher, who finally broke out of his slump with a rally-starting double in the 5^th, and then a solo homerun in the 6^th.  Welcome back, Swisher. 

Robinson Cano continues to suck, going 0 for 4 again.  What bothers us most about Cano is his apparent nonchalance about the whole thing.  It may be that he cares very much about not producing; but it sure doesn’t look like it to us. 

Finally, the Yankees’ bullpen put in a decent performance, with Joba and Marte putting in strong 1-2-3 innings in the 7^th and 8^th.  Phil Hughes, on the hand, continues to struggle, as Mariano had to come in for the last two outs in the 9^th.  Fortunately, Mariano only threw 4 pitches, and so will be fully available to pitch in Game 4. 

On the whole, an outstanding team effort that has knocked a very good Phillies team back on its heels.

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