10/30: Rivera Converts Two Inning Save to Even Series

Posted by: David
A.J. Burnett was masterful through seven innings and handed off the reigns to Mariano Rivera who didn't disappoint as the Yankees tied the World Series at one game apiece heading to Philadelphia.

The Phillies jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 2nd when Raul Ibanez looped a double just inside the foul line in short left field which bounced into the stands. Matt Stairs followed with a hard grounder which A-Rod couldn't handle and the ball went passed his glove to left.

The Yankees fought back against Pedro Martinez. Mark Texeira hit a home run in the fourth and Hideki Matsui put the Yankees ahead in the sixth when he golfed a down and in curve into the right field seats.

The Yankees scored again in the seventh when Jerry Hairston, Jr. led off with a bloop single over first to right field. Melky Cabrera followed with a line single to right on a hit and run play and that chased pinch runner Brett Gardner to third with no outs.
Jorge Posada pinch hit against new pitcher Chan Ho Park and lined a single up the middle to extend the Yankee lead to 3-1. Derek Jeter tried to bunt and struck out when his two strike bunt attempt went foul. Johnny Damon lined a ball down the first base line which Ryan Howard trapped but the umpire called it a catch and Posada was doubled off to end the inning.

Rivera entered in the eighth and got Carlos Ruiz to ground out to third for the first out. Jimmy Rollins battled with an eleven pitch at bat and eventually walked. Shane Victorino grounded a ball through the right side to put runners on first and second. Mo got tough and got last night's hero Chase Utley to ground in to an inning ending 4-6-3 double play. The replay showed that Utley had beat the play but the Yankees got the call to end the inning with a two run lead.

The Yankees couldn't score in the bottom of the eighth and Mo went out to close door. He got Ryan Howard looking for the first out. Howard struck out all four times up in the game. Jason Werth lined a ball off the end of the bat which Cano gloved behind second and the Raul Ibanez became the last hope for the Phillies. Ibanez delivered his second double of the game up the alley in left center which brought up veteran slugger Matt Stairs. Rivera struck out Stairs swinging to end the game.

For Rivera the save was his 10th in World Series play and 38th postseason of his career. His postseason ERA now stands at 0.76.

Comments

moises Young Diaz wrote:

Arriba Mariano Rivera, the Panamanian Sensational. The Thursday's two-inning save was amazaingly the 14th of Rivera's postseason career. When Mo is on the mound, we always feel great about the yankees chances to win the game. Rivera in October already the king among all Postseason Closers, which means Mo is now simply adding to his legacy. It is going to be very difficult to accomplish that Mariano has done in the Postseason, with 38th all-time Saves, and 10th in the WS.
10/30 14:16:36

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