A.J. Burnett Helps Yanks Even The Series at 1-1

Yankees right hander A.J. Burnett earned a very much needed win allowing one earned run on four hits through seven innings striking out 9.

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A.J. was terrific getting the win in his first career start in the World Series.

A lot was riding on how he would pitch in game two, and he answered the challenge.

He also got some help from sluggers 1B Mark
Teixeira, and DH Hideki Matsui.

Mark Teixeira tied the game in the bottom of the 4th inning with a solo home run to right center field off of Phillies starter Pedro Martinez.

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When M. Teixeira is hitting that is a sign for good things to come with the Yankees offense.

I am surprised it has taken him this long to hit a home run since his walk off homer in game 2 of the ALDS.

New York got the lead when Hideki Matsui followed Tex's example with a solo home run of his own in the bottom of the 6th inning.

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Hideki has been clutch throughout his post season career, and came through in a big way tonight as the Yankees would keep the lead for the remainder of the game.

RF Jerry Hairston Jr. played a big role leading off the 7th inning with a single to right.

Skipper Joe Girardi played some smart baseball putting on the hit and run as CF Melky Cabrera moved J. Hairston Jr. over to third with a single to right field.

J. Girardi would make the right managerial move again as he sent Jorge Posada to bat for Jose Molina who had caught A.J. Burnett's gem on the mound.

This would cause Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel to bring in Chan Ho Park.

J. Posada delivered an RBI single to give an extra insurance run as the run would go onto the ERA of Pedro Martinez.

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Yankees captain Derek Jeter attempted a 2 strike bunt in the following at bat pushing it foul for the first out.

With one out I understand D. Jeter bunting, but with nobody out you have to let him swing the bat.

In the World Series it is a whole new ballgame for the man as he has four world championships on his resume.

The inning would then be ending on a terrible call as Johnny Damon hit a one hop grounder into Ryan Howards mitt that would be ruled an out in the air.

Jorge Posada, and Melky Cabrera would try to advance as the force out would be made at 2nd to end the threat.

The Yankee fans stopped worrying in the bottom of the 8th as they saw the early arrival of closer Mariano Rivera.

Mariano Rivera was on again throwing two shutout innings to get a 6 out save the 37th of his playoff career.

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Mariano got the job done which was expected, and provided A.J. Burnett with some reliability out of the bullpen.

The Yankees won game two by the score of 3-1 as they prepare for another battle on Saturday this time in Philadelphia.

Maybe a change of scenery will get Yankee 3B Alex Rodriguez back to his groove as he has started off the first two games 0 for 8 with 6 strikeouts.

Alex did so much to get this team to this point, and he is allowed a couple of games to slump.

However now going into game 3 it will be another test for the 3 time MVP who like a lot of players on his team is participating in his first career World Series.

The Phillies will send lefty Cole Hamels to the hill in game three to battle another southpaw the veteran Andy Pettitte who holds the record for most post season wins.

The game will take place at 7:57 pm, and will be a big game as this Series stands at one a piece.

My first nephew A.J. was born this morning two weeks ahead of his due date, is it a coincidence that he was born on the same day as A.J. Burnett's first career World Series start?