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The game was expected to be a pitching battle and a home run fest. Each team started the World Series game 1 with their ace pitcher.
The two former teammates, Yankees CC Sabathia and Phillies Cliff Lee went head-to-head in game 1. Lee did just what the Phillies needed him to do.
The Phillies bullpen is their weak link. Lee pitched the full game. More importantly, he basically shut down the hot Yankees bats.
In the full nine innings, Lee only allowed six hits and threw 10 strike outs. The only run scored against him was in the bottom of the ninth.
Sabathia came out on the short end of this game. Sabathia pitched only seven innings and allowed four hits. Two of them were home runs by Chase Utley.
During World Series game 1, the Phillies saved their bullpen and used only one pitcher. The Yankees used six pitchers.
The Phillies need two things for them to win the World Series 2009. Their pitching staff has to keep the Yankees bats in check and they need hitting from more than Ryan Howard and Jason Werth.
Lee took care of the pitching task in World Series game 1. Utley and the rest of the Phillies took care of hitting duties.
Utley hit his first home run in the third inning. He added a second one in the sixth inning, giving the Phillies a 2-0 lead over the Yankees.
In the eighth inning, the Phillies loaded the bases with two outs. Raul Ibanez singled scoring Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino. The Phillies vs Yankees score was then 4-0 Phillies.
The Phillies struck again in the ninth inning. Carlos Ruiz doubled and then advanced to third on a Rollins single. Ruiz would then score on a Victorino single.
Ryan Howard then came up to bat and doubled. Rollins scored off of Howard's double. Victorino attempted to score, but was thrown out at home.
Going into the bottom of the ninth inning, the Yankees were down six runs. Derek Jeter led off with a single. Johnny Damon then came up to bat and he singled. It appeared there was still life left in the Yankees.
With Jeter in scoring position on second, Mark Teixeira hit into a force out play. Damon was out at second. Jeter was able to score the Yankees only run. Teixeira advanced to second on a throwing error.
The Yankees had a man in scoring position with only one out. Alex Rodriguez struck out to make it two outs. Jorge Posada went down swinging to end the World Series game 1.
With the 6-1 win, the Phillies take an early lead in the Phillies vs Yankees best of seven series. The Phillies will need more of the strong pitching and hitting that they did in the World Series game 1 if they want to repeat as champions. World Series game 2 is Thursday night at Yankee Stadium.
Written by Denise Clay
Exclusive to HULIQ
Posted October 29th, 2009 by Denise Clay
