Phillies Stay Alive in Game 5

The Phillies made it interesting Monday night after letting a 8-2 lead dwindle into an 8-6 victory in Game 5. Lee wasn't great or flashy as in previous contests, but he held the Yankees to 2 runs before running into trouble in the 8th inning. The Phillies owned this game from the moment Burnett offered a pitch over the middle of the plate to Chase Utley in the bottom of the 1st inning. Suddenly the Phillies were up 3-1 on a 3-run homer off the bat of Utley. For good measure, he would homer again later in the game. Burnett was awful coming off short rest (3 days), and couldn't make it out the 2nd inning before surrendering 5 runs, leaving down 5-1. After Utley's 2nd home run as well as Ibanez's homer, the Phillies led 8-2, never looking back.

Much was made in New York about Joe Girardi's decision to pitch Burnett on short rest instead of Chad Gaudin. After Burnett's shelling, much more will be said about whether it was smart to allow Burnett and Pettitte to pitch on short rest instead of opting for Gaudin in Game 5, and selecting either Burnett or Pettitte for a Game 6 with full rest.

The Yankees are up 3-2 in the series heading back to New York for Game 6. Andy Pettitte will oppose Pedro Martinez. Pettitte will pitch on 3 days rest as Burnett did, whereas Pedro will have a full 4 days. If the Phillies should reach a Game 7, Cliff Lee will be available to pitch at least an inning.