Everyone, especially Charlie Manuel, thought Brad Lidge was back to his old self just in time, but he allowed three runs in the ninth which gave the Yankees the win 7-4 in a key Game 4, making them one win away from winning the World Series. The Phillies face a very uphill battle down three games to one; one that I don’t believe they can win.
–Player of the Game: Alex Rodriguez. Fact is it does not matter what he did so far this World Series, when he was needed to make a hit, he did. He got the eventual game winning RBI with a shot to left field to score Johnny Damon in the 9th inning.
–If there is one thing this series has proven, it is that a bullpen can be key to success. Mariano Rivera has been money for the Yankees, saving all three games, plus behind him the rest of the bullpen has been effective the past three games with the exception of Joba Chamberlain’s allowing a home run. But other than that, the three wins were solidified by the bullpen. On the other end, sure Ryan Madson has done well for Philadelphia, but in Brad Lidge’s first appearance he allows three runs all on two outs plus the other relievers from game 3 allowed three runs in three innings. The Phillies rotation is solid, but they cannot win the series alone.
–Still not enough production from the top of the Phillies lineup. Chase Utley was good tonight, but Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino and Ryan Howard still cannot figure out Yankee pitching. The power has been there in the series; seven home runs have been hit, but all were solo shots.
–Home plate umpire Mike Everett was terrible tonight. There was no established strike zone, and no pattern of strikes at all. Some pitches that were called balls high would later be called strikes, and vice versa. All the hitters had a right to be upset; if no zone is somewhat established, good pitches are much harder to find. Plus, Ryan Howard never touched home plate when he scored in the fourth inning, but the home plate umpire gave the safe call, indicating he did.
–A fully rested Cliff Lee will take on three-days rested A.J. Burnett on Monday. I believe Philadelphia can win game 5, but there is almost no chance they can win two straight in Yankee Stadium with how they are playing right now.
Blog From Dave Vatz—09 Terrapin Graduate
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