Yankees World Series 2009: A-Rod, clutch hits seal 3-1 series lead over the Phillies

November 2, 8:35 AMNew York Yankees ExaminerPete Sabatini

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The CC Sabathia vs. Joe Blanton match-up was one the Yankees wanted to win.

Heading off to face Cliff Lee, the Yankees didn’t want to be even in the series and thanks to some clutch hitting in the ninth, they won’t have to.

While CC and AJ Burnett have done it well, the Yankees would like to avoid sending the more veteran Andy Pettitte to the mound on short rest.

Thanks to Johnny Damon taking two bases on his ninth inning steal followed by big time clutch hits by Mr. Clutch himself Alex Rodriguez to put the Yankees up and two runs for insurance batted in by Jorge Posada the Bombers took the game 7-4 and have a little room to work.

The offense still isn’t firing on all cylinders and the bullpen still isn’t much of a bridge to an overworked Mariano, but the Yankees are gritting it out – something they couldn’t do in recent seasons.

Chan Ho Park can spit on the ball all he wants (photo here) but the Yankees look like nothing can keep them down.

As A-Rod said in his postgame comments, the team has been here before and knows better than to take anything for granted, but a 3-1 series lead can do wonders for the nerves.

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