APWhether or not Damon's presence at third base influenced Lidge to throw fastballs to Rodriguez — rather than his out-pitch, the slider — isn't certain. Damon thought that might have been the case, but Rodriguez said that wasn't on his mind.
“No not at all,'' Rodriguez said. “His money pitch is a slider, and that's where he gets all his punchouts. And I hit a fastball for a homer (off Lidge) earlier in the year.''
Whatever, Rodriguez got two fastballs, and hit the second one for what turned out to be the game-winning RBI — and some retribution for being hit by a pitch for the third time in two games.
He said, “I don't want to comment about being hit,'' in two languages during a postgame interview session, but then later added: “I will say this: That one time I got hit in (Saturday's) game — my first at-bat — that kind of woke me up a little bit and just reminded me, hey, this is the World Series, let's get it going a little bit. So it worked out.''
Jorge Posada then slapped a double for two more insurance runs, the incomparable Rivera needed eight pitches to close out the ninth, and the Phillies had a bitter loss to deal with.
After a loss in Game 3, they found themselves trailing for the first time in six postseason series over the last two years. Now they're down to an elimination game, and with a sputtering offense that has a .220 batting average and scored seven of its 16 runs on solo home runs.
“We won 22 or so games from the seventh inning on,'' Manuel said. “That's got to tell you something about the resilience of our team. (But) tonight was tough. We're in the World Series now.''
But not for much longer unless Phillies ace Cliff Lee wins the battle of Arkansas in Game 5 — when he will face fellow Arkansas native A.J. Burnett.
“It's not very often two guys from the state of Arkansas make it to the big leagues, much less square off against each other in the World Series,'' Lee said.
But it is fairly often the Yankees find themselves winning the World Series. In their 40th Fall Classic appearance, they are one win away from world championship No. 27.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
DeMarco: Plug in a well-heeled ownership group and negotiate one of those mega-bucks TV deals that are going around, and the Dodgers could become the west coast version of the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox.
Slideshow |
more photos |
HardballTalk headlines |
Interactive |
Slideshow |
Unbreakable records in baseball A look at the most unbreakable records in baseball including Nolan Ryan's seven no-hitters. |
Slideshow |
The top tools of baseball You hear a lot about the tools of baseball, but who are the best hitters, fielders and pitchers? We break it down. more photos |
Slideshow |
The Week in Sports Pictures The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more. more photos |