Yanks lose Game 5 head back to the Bronx

The New York Yankees were defeated by the Philadelphia Phillies last night by the score of 8-6. A.J. Burnett got the start on 3 days rest and was dreadful. He lasted 2 1/3 innings giving up 6 runs. He had no location or control at all and just couldn't get anything going. The Yankees got off to a fast start against Cliff Lee with a rbi single by A-rod in the first but couldn't score anymore. Cliff Lee wasn't so great himself but was able to give the Phillies 7 innings giving up 5 hits with 5 runs, 3 walks and 3 strikeouts. Chan Ho Park pitched a perfect 8th inning and then things got interesting in the ninth. Brad Lidge who got lit up the night before did not come in to save the game Ryan Madson came in as the closer and gave up a leadoff double to Jorge Posada followed by a single to Hideki Matsui. The Yankees had first and third no outs and were poised for the comeback with the top of the order coming up. Derek Jeter hit into a double play killing the rally though even though a run scored. Johnny Damon kept the game alive with a single and then Mark Teixeira who hasn't done anything offensively in this series popped out to end the game leaving A-rod stranded in the on deck circle. The Yankees had their chances even though A.J. Burnett got lit up and they were way behind.

The real dagger came when it was 6-2 thanks to good relief pitching by Dave Robertson and Alfredo Aceves who pitched 4 innings giving up 0 runs on 2 hits. Phil Coke pitched the seventh and gave up 2 solo homeruns to put the game seemingly out of reach. The Yankees did comeback and those 2 runs turned out to be the game winners. Phil Hughes pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings giving up 1 hit. If it wasn't for Phil Coke's terrible outing who knows what would of happened. The Yankees though are back home in the bronx to try and close it out where there fans will be loud and crazy and Andy Pettitte will be on the mound. He is pitching on 3 days rest which is dangerous but if he can keep them in the game and give them 6 innings the Yankees will take it. The Yankees have a rested Mariano Rivera and Joba Chamberlain along with Damaso Marte to close out the game. I am sure Mariano will be used for 6 outs if need be but we will see what happens. I know Pedro pitched well in Game 2 but I don't think that will be happening again. The Yankees offense has woken up after the first 2 games and scored some runs so I look for them to jump on Pedro and knock him out early and also get to their pen, if Andy doesn't blow up the Yankees could run away with this one but that depends on Andy Pettitte.

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