SPORTS HITS

The New York Yankees open their wallets and finally broke through and got their payoff a World Series Championship. Hideki Matsui tied a World Series record with six RBIs, Andy Pettitte won on short rest and New York beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 in Game 6. Matsui did not have a lot of at-bats in the World Series, but still got the MVP as he made every bat count and in Game 6 he was clutch.

The Yankees used some very good pitching from CC Sabathia and got the timely hitting when they needed it to get the win. This is the same formula they used all season long and in the post season as well. The Yankees were the best team all season long and they proved it last night once again.

For the Phillies they never gave up and gave it their best shot. I was surprised they even made it back to the World Series so you have to give them credit as well. They should be around for awhile and is one of the better teams in Major League Baseball.

Both the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies both can’t wait until Game 6 arrives so they can prove they want it more. The Yankees are hoping Andy Pettitte can close it out for them on less rest than he is use to. The Phillies will counter with Pedro Martinez who knows how much this game means to him and his teammates. Pedro has a lot riding on this game as far as pitching a little longer in the Major leagues so he will want to perform well.

In Game 6 it will all come down to who wants it more and makes the less mistakes. When you are trailing in a series every mistake, strikeout is that much more important. If you are ahead in the series you have a little cushion, not a lot though. Mistakes will determine who wins this game, but it could come down to who forces those mistakes by wanting it more than the other team. In the end Game 6 should be a very good game for the fans to watch.

What a difference a year makes for Cole Hamels. Last year he was the toast of Phillies fans and this year he has been the opposite. Hamels made a comment and as usual it was taken the wrong way by some and now has Hamels on the outside looking in. Hamels was near perfect last year and captured the World Series MVP last year. This year has been a real struggle for him and the playoffs have been no better for Hamels.

Even one of his own players have questioned Hamels comments and that is a shame. Hamels is having a rough season, but is a competitor and has asked for the ball in Game 7 from his manager. Now I do not know if there will be a Game 7, but I know if I was Charlie Manuel I would give Hamels the ball. The bottom line is if it was not for Hamels last year Philadelphia would not be wearing World Series rings.

No matter what I am sure Cole Hamels has learned to watch what he puts out in the press these days. No matter what you say many times it can be twisted around on you so that is something players want to always remember.

Brad Lidge has been pitching well for the Philadelphia Phillies, but when they really needed him he could not come through last night. A-Rod and Johnny Damon did the damage in the ninth inning and the Yankees came away with a 7-4 win in Philadelphia. This gives the Yankees a commanding 3-1 lead in the World Series and only need one more win to clinch the title.

Johnny Damon stole second and when he seen no one was covering third he took that base as well and then A-Rod delivered also when it counted for once. For the Phillies last night they had their chances, but did not get the job done. Now their backs are against the wall and they need Cliff Lee to pitch well tonight or it will be all over for them.

It was Halloween last night in Philadelphia, but it was the Yankees enjoying the night as Andy Pettitte pitched well enough to get a 8-5 victory. The win gives the Yankees a 2-1 series lead. Pettitte now has 17 postseason wins which is very impressive and he did not have his best stuff, but did enough to win the game. The Yankees got three home runs and they seem to hit the ball much better tonight.

For the Phillies Cole Hamels did not have it last night and they could never really get to Pettitte like they needed to. The Phillies are a team that never panics and they know you must win four games in the series so they will just come back tomorrow and try again.   Game 4 is Sunday night. Joe Blanton pitches against Yankees ace CC Sabathia, who goes on three days’ rest for the second time this postseason so we will see how that will work out. Should be another good game.

The New York Yankees are just one win away from the World Series after a 10-1 beat down of the Los Angeles Angels. CC Sabathia pitched eight strong innings giving up just one run and Alex Rodriguez continued to swing a hot bat for the Yankees.  The key this night though was Sabathia who was on his game. He made the pitches when he needed to and the Angels had no answers for him.

For the Angels their backs are against the wall and must really hit the ball better if they have any hopes of extending this series. The Yankees pitching staff has handled them real well so far and unless something changes I see this series ending real soon. The Angels have had their chances, but cannot seem to get the one hit they need when it matters most. If you can’t do that you will never beat the Yankees in this series.

It seems if people thought the Philadelphia Phillies were a fluke last year they better think again. Jimmie Rollins was able to  line a two-run double with two outs in the ninth inning and give the Philadelphia Phillies a come from behind 5-4 win in the bottom of the ninth. It seems these Phillies never say die and that was the way they were last year.

For the Dodgers they can only regroup and try to get the next game as their backs are against the wall. They understand what they have to do and Joe Torre has been here before so they will be ready to play. They have to forget about this game and move on and get ready for the next one. Things happen and the Dodgers must come out and get Game 5 or they will be done for the season.

For awhile it looked like the Los Angeles Angels were going to be down 3-0 to the Yankees. After the Yankees used the long ball early to build a 3-0 the Angels fought back to win 5-4 in 11 innings. Howie Kendrick homered to get the Angels on the board and had a very good game to help lead the Angels back.

Vladimir Guerrero also homered to tie the score at 3-3.  It was  Jeff Mathis  who hit a two-out double in the 11th inning to drive home the winning run and help the Angels stay in the series. Now the Angels have a chance to make a series out of this. We will have to see what they do Tuesday and if they can continue to roll along.

The Los Angeles Angels better learn to stopping giving away baseball games or they will be home once again watching from the comfort of their homes. Errors have been the main problem for the Angels so far in this series and a crucial one in the 13th inning cost them this game by a score of 4-3. Now they are down 2-0 against the Yankees which is a place you do not like to see yourself.

Some credit also must be given to the Yankees as well. They got two good performances from their starters and when the Angels have miscues they made the most of them. This is exactly what a good team needs to do and they are doing exactly that. Give a tip of the hat to the Yankees they seem to play their best ball when the score is tight and if you make a mistake they will make you pay for it.

MLB baseball playoffs have been something that many MLB executives might want to forget about real soon. The umpires have blown many calls that could have lead to some interesting outcomes, but since the calls can’t be changed it really does not matter. I have heard several managers talk about having a challenge given to them when a mistake happens like it has so far in the MLB playoffs.

This system would be similar to what they do in the NFL. I am for anything that gets the calls right. The bottom line is you want to get the calls right and make sure no team gets an advantage. So, far in this years playoffs to many calls have been blown and that really should not happen with the technology we have in today’s world. Hopefully MLB Baseball will look at the problem and hopefully correct the problem that exists right now.