World Series Game 1 Wrapup
Stan McNeal - SportingNews.com
Oct 29, 2009
Defending Champ Phillies Hand Yankees First Home Loss of Postseason
NEW YORK — The Phillies gave the Yankees a dose of their own CC in Game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday night. As in Cliff Lee and Chase Utley. Lee tossed a complete-game, six-hit gem and Utley blasted two homers off CC Sabathia in Philadelphia's 6-1 win. It was as simple as C, C and C.
Cliff in control
Lee didn't allow more than one baserunner in any inning until the Yankees scored an unearned run in the ninth. He was on from the first batter, striking out Derek Jeter on three pitches. Lee struck out Alex Rodriguez three times, didn't walk anyone and finished with 10 Ks.
Chase crushes
Utley's two-out homer in the third came on the ninth pitch of the at-bat. Homer No. 2 was a no-doubter in the sixth. He crushed an 0-2 fastball into the second deck in right. "My approach was to make him work a little," Utley said. "I was trying to hit the fastball because I thought that was my best way to be successful."
Confidence is contagious
Surrounded by a lineup of defending World Series champions, Lee coolly silenced the sellout crowd in a driving drizzle. "Sometimes when you go to a team that has had success, you want to step up even more," Phillies closer Brad Lidge said. "He's already a great pitcher and being around us, he's elevated his game even more."
Another reason the Phillies should be confident: The winner of Game 1 has won the past six World Series.
Coming attractions: It's Pedro's turn
Game 2 is tonight (7:57 ET) at the Stadium; Pedro Martinez will pitch for the Phillies against A.J. Burnett. Martinez hasn't pitched in new Yankee Stadium, but he has a history against the Yankees, as he proudly admits. On Wednesday, he called himself "the most influential player that ever stepped in Yankee Stadium." Pedro can make a major influence on this World Series if he can help put New York in a 2-0 hole.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
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