Phillies send series back to Bronx

This time, Joe Girardi’s decision before the game cost the Yankees the win.

A.J. Burnett was sent out on short rest to face Cliff Lee on full rest in Game 5. Lee and the Phillies came away the victors, winning 8-6. 

Quick ‘Cap:
Alex Rodriguez got the Yankees going early with an RBI double in the first inning, but Chase Utley responded with a three-run homer off Burnett before he recorded an out. The Phillies responded with three more runs in the third, forcing Burnett out of the game.

The Yankees’ bullpen kept the team in the game until Utley and Raul Ibanez homered off Phil Coke in the seventh. The Yanks rallied for three off Lee in the eighth and added what would’ve been the tying run in the ninth. Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira had chances to tie the game in the ninth, but a double play and a strikeout put that idea to rest. Full box score here.

Thoughts:
Like I said in my twitter poll, I really believe this game should have been sacrificed to give Burnett a chance to win it in Game 6. I was glad to see the Yankees make a late comeback. It would have been ugly to lose 8-1 or 8-2.

Line of the Night:
Utley: 2-for-3, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 3 R, BB. He tied Reggie Jackson’s World Series record of five homers on his second homer. The way he is swinging, he’s on pace to break Mr. October’s record.

Up Next:
Game 6 is back in the Bronx, and will presumably see a couple of veterans battle it out: Pedro Martinez and Andy Pettitte. What a matchup. I’ll have preview and more chatter up tomorrow. Thanks for tuning in today.