Burnett Propels Yankees Past Pedro & Phillies

YANKEES 3
PHILLIES 1

Pedro Martinez proved that he still had something left, and sent a parting shot across town to the Mets, who refused to sign the veteran this year, by holding the Yankees down through six innings of Thursday night's game two; however, the righty wasn't as good as A.J. Burnett.

Burnett shut down the mighty Phillies. He pitched seven dominant innings, giving up only four hits and a run, while striking out nine Phils in his first ever World Series start. Burnett was one cool customer as he had his way with the outside corner of the plate all night long, frustrating the Philadelphia hitters.

As for Martinez, he was brilliant as well. He blew by the Yankee lineup for most of the evening and held a 1-0 lead heading into the fourth inning.

He struck out eight, and looked like the Pedro of old, who used to electrify Boston fans, and Met fans during the prime of his career. Even though Martinez lost the game, he sent a clear message to Mets GM Omar Minaya, that the embattled GM made, yet, another mistake in a year full of mistakes for the Mets.

Back to the here and now, Mark Tiexeria finally broke through his postseason struggles, blasting a long homer into the Yankee bullpen in right center to tie the game at one. In the sixth, Hideki Matsui lifted a curveball from Martinez, off of the ground, and into the seat in right field to give the Yankees a 2-1 lead.

The Yankees finally got to Martinez in the seventh when the put two on with no body out, before he was removed for another former Met in Chan Ho Park. Park, in typical Chan Ho Park fashion made things worse for the Phillies, by allowing Jorge Posada to line a single up the middle to bring in Brett Gardner to make it 3-1 Yankees.

Fast forward to the eighth, the Yankees bring in Mariano Rivera. Rivera gets the first out with a Carlos Ruiz ground out. Then it gets really interesting. Rivera walks Jimmy Rollins, and gives upa single to Shane Victorino to put two on with one out and Chase Utley and Ryan Howard waiting to bat. This is what baseball is all about: star power vs. star power.

Rivera won the battle this time around, forcing Utley to ground into a double play to end the threat. In the ninth, Rivera allowed Raul Ibanez to reach on a double with two out. Rivera then struck out the power swinging Matt Stairs to end the game, 3-1. Box score.

The series is tied 1-1. Cole Hamels will pitch for Philadelphia against Andy Pettitte.