Yankees Diaries

Turning Point
The top of the ninth produced what might be the biggest set of plays that will ultimately allow the Yankees to win their 27th world championship. Johnny Damon's unbelievable at-bat against Philadelphia closer Brad Lidge with two outs extended the inning. With a 3-2 count, Damon lined a base hit to left that fell right in front of Raul Ibanez.

With Damon on first and Mark Teixeira at bat, the Phillies put on the shift. Damon took advantage. He stole second and as a result of the shift against Teixeira, Damon made a great play and ran to third. It had to have been one of the most insightful plays in the history of the World Series. The extra base itself might not have made a difference in terms of scoring on a base hit because Damon is fast enough to make it from second with two outs. But this play changed the way that Lidge had to approach hitters as he couldn’t throw the slider in the dirt in fear of a wild pitch.

Unsung Hero
Damon deserves the unsung hero award for the game as well. He scored the game-winning run in the ninth on Alex Rodriguez's double. In addition, honorable mention goes to Jorge Posada who hit a sinking fly ball to left that scored both Teixeira and A-Rod to give the Yankees some insurance. As Yankees fans have seen for years, Mariano Rivera came in and shut the Phillies out to bring the Yankees within one win of yet another world championship.

Key Stat
Rivera's ERA in the World Series: 0.00. Rivera, who will turn 40 at the end of the month, continues to be the rock at the end of the Yankees bullpen. On a night when Joba Chamberlain blew the lead and cost Sabathia a win, the Yankees were able to pick him up score some runs and turn it over to Rivera.
Going into the bottom of the ninth the Fox cameras showed the faces of Phillies fans and it was a look of no hope. That’s the way it has been for so many years: If the Yankees are ahead and turn the ball over to Mariano, you might as well start heading to the exits. Rivera has always kept a low profile, and as a result may not always get the attention he deserves, but when this veteran goes to work he is all business. Let’s bring it home tonight, A.J.

-- ANDREW COHEN

Turning Point
In the fourth inning, Alex Rodriguez hit a blast that was initially ruled a double after hitting a TV camera. But the call was overturned as replay confirmed that A-Rod had hit a homer. It was a two-run shot that cut the Phillies' lead to 3-2, and in the very next inning the Yankees scored three runs to jump out to a lead they would not give away. Andy Pettitte, who was not as great as he has been in past years, was part of that rally. He picked up RBI to drive in Nick Swisher off last year’s playoff MVP Cole Hamels. It was the first run batted in by a Yankees pitcher in World Series since Jim Bouton in 1964. The way the Yankees have been rolling these days any lead they have seems safe with the Sandman at the end of the line. Mariano pitched once again the Yankees regained home-field advantage with a 2-1 series lead.

Unsung Hero
The unsung hero of Game 3 had to be Nick Swisher. After an absolutely brutal ALCS and being benched for Game 2 against Philadelphia, Nick went 2 for 4 with a double and a home run. This game was huge for his confidence after many New York media outlets were calling for him to stay benched. If the Yankees want to continue to roll, they are going to need to rely on guys like Swisher, the unsung heroes who don’t have the huge contracts but had great regular seasons, to put them in a better position to succeed.

Key Stat
Some attention needs to be paid toward the 29 2/3 innings CC Sabathia is pitched so far in this postseason. The Yankees have elected to go with Sabathia today in Game 4, which means he will have pitched four out of his last five starts on just three days rest. Although this is exactly why the Yankees got Sabathia, there is only so much even a Major League arm can take. He is earning his paycheck and giving the Yankee faithful hope that World Series No. 27 will be delivered to the Bronx, but it should be noted that this guy is being worked tough.

-- ANDREW COHEN