Game 3 observations
PHILADELPHIA -- A big comeback produces an 8-5 win and a 2-1 Series lead for the Yankees. Now CC Sabathia is coming back Sunday against Joe Blanton. Even on three days rest, I call that one advantage, Bombers. Be sure to see our Web-only version of the game story, with comments from the clubhouses.
More thoughts from Game Three:
Cole Hamels: Guess 2008 was a fluke? How do you explain it? He's not mentally tough when things go against him and his pitches are flat. What a dilemma for Charlie Manuel. No way you can trust this guy to go in Game Seven. Especially being down, the Phillies need Cliff Lee to match up with Sabathia today and in Seven.
Andy Pettitte: He's mentally tough. He made sure a three-run deficit didn't get bigger. He even got a key hit. The all-time leader in postseason wins. Yeah, there's three rounds so stats are skewed. But we've been doing it 15 years now this way. The stats mean something.
Alex Rodriguez and Nick Swisher: Welcome to the World Series. Especially in A-Rod's case, the Phillies are in trouble if he heats up.
Ryan Howard: He's been a diaster so far. Nine strikeouts. Howard and Chase Utley were 0 for 8 with five Ks in this one as the Yankees continue to neutralize the left-handed bats in the Phillies lineup.
Joe Girardi: Used Hideki Matsui in a good spot and got a pinch home run. But did he really need to use Mariano Rivera in the ninth? Phil Hughes gave up a solo home run and there was still a three-run lead and one out. Wonder if that will hurt Rivera the next two nights.
Philly fans: Citizens Bank Park was electric. Much louder than the new Yankee Stadium. We'll see about the next two days.
The umpires: They got it right on replay. A-Rod's ball hit the camera for a home run. But we do we even have RF umpires if they can't see that ball? What else are they out there for?
---Mike Harrington
Fuzz/Marty: The camera was apparently discussed at length by the umpires during their walkthrough of the ballpark on Friday. It does NOT extend over the fence when it's pointed toward CF and the bases but does when it's looking at the plate and first base.
So the rule was establised if a ball hit the camera it would be a HOME RUN. Charlie Manuel said he was not told that in the meetings but the Phillies seemed OK about it. It may have been discussed with the GMs but not the managers.
Posted by: Mike Harrington | November 01, 2009 at 01:10 PM
Reading about the game last night and Cole Hamels' reaction to what was going on out there was very troubling. This is a guy who was the World Series MVP a year ago. I know he has not pitched well for a while now, but you would think he would have the mental strength one needs to pull himself through, and he is not that mentally tough individual right now. I would not even trust him to go out and pitch for the Phils in relief. He seems like he is ready to check out of the season and start the offseason already. The Phils are in deep trouble. Howard is a straight windmill right now, and their pitching as a collective is not good enough. Lee is fine. But, can you really trust a combo of Pedro, Blanton and possibly another Hamels outing? I don't think so.
Posted by: realNFLfan | November 01, 2009 at 11:18 AM
I don't think Charlie has to worry about Hamels in Game Seven....Lee may win Five tomorrow night but I don't see Blanton or Pedro stopping New York....
As far as the home run call in right....isn't it weird to have a camera that extends over the fence? I didn't think it was obvious that the ball would have gone over the fence had it not hit the camera...probable? perhaps, but not obvious...
Great coverage on the Series so far, Mike! Thanks for the web only game story!
Posted by: Marty | November 01, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Why is the camera lens hanging over the wall in the first place?
Posted by: Fuzz | November 01, 2009 at 09:06 AM