Phillies Recap: World Series Game Three

2009 World Series

New York Yankees 8, Philadelphia Phillies 5

W - Andy Pettitte (1-0, 6.00), L - Cole Hamels (0-1, 10.38), S - Mariano Rivera (2)

The highly important game three of the 2009 World Series was a much more wide open affair between the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees. After the Phillies jumped out to a quick three-run lead, the Yankees battled back against Cole Hamels and took control of the game. Andy Pettitte did not pitch especially well and had a high pitch count early, but once again, the Phillies did not have a sound approach at the plate, and handed the Yankees another victory. When all the scoring was done, the final was 8-5.

Game Summary: New York Yankees

Andy Pettitte had a very shaky start to his outing, throwing nearly 50 pitches in the first two innings. However, to his credit, he limited the damage and settled in nicely. Once he was handed a lead, he really locked down the Phillies' lineup, who helped him out by becoming less patient as the night moved on. After six innings, Pettitte had allowed four runs on five hits, with two solo homers mixed in. The Yankees' bullpen came in and tossed three innings of scoreless relief.

The Yankee offense really came alive in this game, with Alex Rodriguez and Nick Swisher leading the way. Both Yankee hitters had been struggling this World Series, entering this game. However, they jump started the offense, which at one point scored in five consecutive innings. The Phillies bullpen was exposed after Cole Hamels lasted less than five innings. On the night, the Yankees tallied eight runs on eight hits and took advantage of three walks as well.

Game Summary: Philadelphia Phillies

For Cole Hamels, this was not the start he envisioned. Despite allowing a two run homer to Alex Rodriguez in the fourth inning, Hamels cruised through four with the lead most of the way. In the fifth, the tables were turned and he did not survive the inning. The Phillies pieces together their bullpen from that point, but they were unable to keep the team close, as the Yankees continued to tack on runs late, which proved to be the difference in the game.

The Phillies offense spotted Hamels an early three run lead. However, after that outburst, it seemed as if their approach at the plate changed. The quality of at bats diminished and the Philly hitters got themselves out for most of the rest of the night. Jayson Werth provided the lone offensive spark, with two solo homers, but the rest of the team managed just four other hits in the game. Through three games now, the Phillies big hitters have not performed as needed, and the lineup collectively can be blamed for the 2-1 series hole they now find themselves in.

Phillies World Series Previews
Overview, Rotations, Bullpens, Hitters, Benches

Game Previews: One, Two, Three
Game Recaps: One, Two, Three

Phillies Preview: World Series Game Three

2009 World Series
Philadelphia Phillies (1-1) v. New York Yankees (1-1)

Saturday October 31, 2009
Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

55° F - Overcast

Andy Pettitte, LHP (0-0, 0.00) v. Cole Hamels, LHP (0-0, 0.00)

After splitting the first two games, the Philadelphia Phillies will return home to host the New York Yankees for the next three games of the 2009 World Series. Thus far, it has been an unexpectedly low-scoring series, between two great offensive teams in hitters parks. However, with game three featuring Cole Hamels of the Phillies and Andy Pettitte of the Yankees, both team will hope to continue the pitching-dominant trend. The weather will be seasonably mild with overcast skies and a slight chance of rain.

Starting Pitcher: Andy Pettitte, Yankees

Andy Pettitte is the veteran presence in the Yankees' rotation. The elder statesman of the group, Pettitte has seen and done almost everything as a starter in the postseason. His career 16 wins is first all-time in postseason play and the crafty lefty still has some juice left in the tank. Pettitte pitches primarily to contact at this point in his career, but controls the running game very well with a great pickoff move. The 37-year old won 14 games for the Yankees this season, while logging 194.2 innings.

This season against the Phillies, Andy Pettitte face the Phillies once, allowing four earned runs in seven innings while taking the no-decision in a Yankees win. Pettitte is succeptible to the long ball, but does create an unfavorable matchup for the Phillies, as he is left-handed and can control the running game with a great pickoff move. For his career against Phillies hitters, Pettitte has allowed a .230 batting average in 148 plate appearances, with four home runs. The veteran is one of the best postseason performers, with a major league record 16 postseason wins.

Starting Pitcher: Cole Hamels, Phillies

Cole Hamels struggled through a hangover season from 2008, in which he battled injuries and inconsistency all year long. Still, he is the Phillies' starter with the most playoff pedigree and was able to win 10 games. In 2009, Hamels' innings were down to 193.2 and his strikeout numbers were also down, though he has the ability to miss bats. Hamels' achilles heel has always been the long ball, so if he can keep the ball in the park, the 25-year old is very tough. Hamels will likely be the Phillies' second or third starter.

Despite having a rough postseason thus far, the Phillies are hopeful that Cole Hamels can regain his World Series MVP form from 2008. Hamels faced the Yankees once this season, going six innings allowing two runs and a homer, in an extra-inning win for the Phillies. In his career against the Yankees, Hamels has allowed a .290 batting average in 66 plate appearances. The key for the young lefty will be to keep the ball in the park and limit his pitch count as much as possible.

Starting Lineup: New York Yankees

Statistics versus Cole Hamels
1. Derek Jeter, SS (4/7, 0 HR, 1 K)

2. Johnny Damon, LF (3/5, 0 HR, 0 K)

3. Mark Teixeira, 1B (5/17, 2 HR, 3 K)

4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B (0/4, 0 HR, 4 K)

5. Jorge Posada, C (0/3, 0 HR, 1 K)

6. Robinson Cano, 2B (0/3, 0 HR, 0 K)

7. Jerry Hairston, Jr., RF (2/10, 1 HR, 1 K)

8. Melky Cabrera, CF (3/6, 0 HR, 0 K)

Starting Lineup: Philadelphia Phillies

Statistics versus Andy Pettitte
1. Jimmy Rollins, SS (4/18, 1 HR, 2 K)

2. Shane Victorino, CF (3/6, 0 HR, 1 K)

3. Chase Utley, 2B (1/7, 0 HR, 3 K)

4. Ryan Howard, 1B (1/9, 0 HR, 1 K)

5. Jayson Werth, RF (1/13, 1 HR, 5 K)

6. Raul Ibanez, LF (6/21, 1 HR, 5 K)

7. Pedro Feliz, 3B (2/7, 0 HR, 1 K)

8. Carlos Ruiz, C (2/3, 1 HR, 0 K)

Phillies World Series Previews

Overview, Rotations, Bullpens, Hitters, Benches
Game Previews: One, Two, Three

Game Recaps: One, Two, Three

Phillies Recap: World Series Game Two

2009 World Series
Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees

W - A.J. Burnett (1-0, 1.29), L - Pedro Martinez (0-1, 4.50), S - Mariano Rivera (1)

Game two of the World Series was another very close, low-scoring game. The Philadelphia Phillies, behind Pedro Martinez, took an early lead. After dueling for several innings with A.J. Burnett, the Yankees used the long ball to surge ahead in the game. In what turned into a late game battle of the bullpens, the Yankees were able to hold on to a small lead and pull out a win by a final score of 3-1. The win evened the series at one as the teams head back to Philadelphia for the next three games.

Game Summary: Philadelphia Phillies

Pedro Martinez started the game for the Phillies, with many questions unanswered about his abilities at his age. However, the veteran pitcher showed that he still has something left in the tank, as he kept the Yankees hitters off balance and off the scoreboard for most of the night. Martinez was hurt by a pair of solo homers, but only allowed six hits and a pair of walks overall. In six plus solid innings, the future Hall of Famer struck out eight Yankee hitters, but left the game trailing, having allowed three earned runs. The Phillies' pen did a decent job, but it was in vain.

On offense, the Phillies didn't stir much. They seemed somewhat patient with Burnett early in the game, working his pitch count. But the right-hander settled in and held the Phillies in check, after an early Matt Stairs RBI single. The Phillies managed only five hits and three walks through the game. Ryan Howard had an especially tough night, as he struck out four times, thanks to some extremely generous strike calls. In the eighth, the Phils put a pair of runners on before a double play ended the threat. The offense was to blame as they could not get anything substantial going against Yankee pitching.

Game Summary: New York Yankees

A.J. Burnett was a wildcard coming into the game, with the Yankees uncertain what he would bring to the table. However, after a somewhat shaky start, Burnett settled in a dominated the Phillies' lineup for seven innings. The big righty added nine strikeouts and allowed just four hits. He walked two, one intentional, and gave up just one earned run. Mariano Rivera was brought in for a six-out save. He struggled through the eighth inning, throwing over 20 pitches, before completing the game in the ninth.

The Yankees offense really didn't do much against Pedro Martinez on the night. However, two mistake pitches were hit out of the park to give the Yankees the lead. In the seventh inning, they tacked on an important insurance run, but were unable to get more runs across. On the night, they didn't perform especially well and were not all that patient, but grinded out just enough to provide the final margin for the game.

Phillies World Series Previews
Overview, Rotations, Bullpens, Hitters, Benches

Game Previews: One, Two, Three
Game Recaps: One, Two, Three