Game Four observations

PHILADELPHIA -- Trying to make sense of the Yankees' amazing ninth inning Sunday night is difficult. It all happened so fast. From two outs and nobody on to three runs in and a stranglehold on the World Series. In real time, it might have been five minutes tops. Here's some thoughts on the aftermath:

Johnny Damon: It's likely this is his final tour with the Yankees. If they win this series, the folks in the Big Apple will never forget his mad dash from first to third in the ninth inning (left) About as heads up a play as we've seen ever, let alone in the ninth inning of a tied Series game. What's better in Series lore? Maybe Enos Slaughter scoring from first on a single to win Game Seven in 1946 for the Cardinals over the Red Sox. Somebody give me another example.

A-Rod: No more postseason jokes. Five years of torture are about to be wiped out. If you were in the ballpark Sunday, you knew he was getting a hit off Lidge in the ninth. The feeling was palpbale. When the ball rocketed into left field, his teammates pounced off the bench on to the dirt in front of the dugout. A-Rod pounded his hands together at second base (right) and pointed at them in celebration.

CC Sabathia: Warrior. Threw 107 pitches on three days rest. He'll be good for 110 if he's needed in Game Seven.

Joba Chamberlain: Got two strikeouts on 97-mph gas, then got taken deep on a 95-mph heater by Pedro Feliz. Has pitched great the last two days. Still, there's not much confidence in that bullpen other than Mariano Rivera.

Ryan Howard: Dude is destined to break the Series strikeout record and when he finally scores a run, he misses the plate? And nobody notices?

Brad Lidge: So much for his revival. Had worked 12 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings. Mistake not covering third, mistake pitches to four straight hitters after two out.

The umpires: Terrible strike zone by Mike Everitt. Both teams hated it. He didn't do enough to stop all of the catchers' trips to the mound either and missed Howard not touching home.

The Phillies: They self-destructed in the late innings a lot this year. They won 93 games even though Lidge blew 11 saves. But this was a killer. One out away from having a chance to get a run that would tie the series, they self destruct. Now they're toast. It's just a matter of whether the Yankees finish them off Monday night or need to go back to the Bronx. No way they win three straight. No way.

---Mike Harrington

(www.twitter.com/bnharrington)

Photos: Associated Press

Comments

[Mr. Kevin H. Hodge]

Sir, Good Morning and as World Series..Points to Game 5, To Me, Yankees are Taking Advantage of The Breaks. Slow Infield Hits, Going to Outfield Grass, Mr. Howard, Missing Home Plate and Going Yankees Way, Mr. Lee Phillies Will Come at Us With Full Deck Monday Evening In Citizens Bank Park..But Pin-Strips, 2009 Season Special Indeed as We Continue, Quietly@Professionally, Win One for The Boss. Mr. Kevin H. Hodge