Ut-Oh! Lee and longball take down Yanks in Game 1

October 29, 9:47 AMMLB ExaminerAlex Brown

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Utley watches one leave Yankee Stadium

AP Photo/David J. Phillip

If you think you have to change your game in the postseason, think again. The Philadelphia Phillies got it done in Game 1 the way they have all season- with the longball – two, to be precise, courtesy of Chase Utley. Of course, a complete game, 10 strikeout pitching performance by Cliff Lee doesn’t hurt your chances either. The Phillies would ultimately ride Utley and Lee to a 6-1 Game 1 victory over the New York Yankees, stealing an all important win on the road.

This is not your typical American League sluggers versus National League small-ball World Series. The Phillies can put a lineup out there that would rival an American League squad, with four players hitting over 30 home runs during the 2009 regular season. Any of the Philadelphia hitters has the potential to be the hero on any given night, but Game 1 belonged to Utley – the star second baseman hit two early home runs that put the Yankees in a hole they would never climb out of.

Which brings me to Phillies’ starter, Cliff Lee. Lee matched up with his former Cleveland teammate CC Sabathia in what was sure to be an epic duel. Lee was absolutely dominant in the Game 1 victory, throwing a complete game and allowing only one (unearned) run while striking out 10 Yankee batters. Needless to say, he’s come a long way since being left off of the Indian’s 2007 playoff roster.

What does tonight’s Game 2 have in store? Well, this will be the return of Pedro Martinez to Yankee Stadium – which should be dramatic, even if it is a new ballpark. Can Pedro dial in some playoff magic, like he did in 2004 as a member of the Boston Red Sox? Or will the Yankee bats break out after being shut down by Lee?
 

2009 MLB Postseason Coverage on Examiner