By Ronald Blum, The Associated Press
NEW YORK
October 30, 2009 08:54 am
—
Mark Teixeira and Hideki Matsui shook the New York Yankees from their lumber slumber and sent the World Series to Philadelphia all tied up.
Teixeira and Matsui hit solo homers off familiar foe Pedro Martinez, backing a sharp performance by A.J. Burnett and giving the Yankees a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 2 on Thursday night.
A night after getting stopped by Cliff Lee in the opener 6-1, the Yanks bounced back from an early deficit and won in the Series for the first time since taking a 2-1 lead against Florida in 2003.
After a day off, Game 3 will be at Philadelphia on Saturday night.
Light-hitting Matt Stairs put the Phillies on top with an RBI single in the second. Burnett then used a biting curveball to keep Philadelphia from advancing another runner past second base against him.
Teixeira, in an 8-for-44 (.182) postseason slump, tied the score when he led off the fourth with a drive into the Yankees’ bullpen in right field. Matsui then put New York ahead with two outs in the sixth, reaching down for a curveball below his knees and driving it a few rows into the seats in right.
Burnett got his first win following three postseason no-decisions for the Yankees, allowing four hits in seven innings and retiring his last eight batters. He struck out nine — including Ryan Howard three times.
Mariano Rivera got six outs for his 38th postseason save, his 10th in World Series play. After the Phillies put two on with one out in the eighth, Game 1 star Chase Utley grounded into an inning-ending double play.
Rivera fanned Howard looking to start the ninth then struck out Stairs with a runner at second to end it.
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Photos
New York Yankees' Jorge Posada, left, congratulates Mariano Rivera after winning Game 2 of the Major League Baseball World Series Thursday in New York. The Yankees defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1 to tie the series 1-1. Associated Press
Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, left, and Shane Victorino watch the end of Game 2 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the New York Yankees Thursday in New York. The Yankees defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1 to tie the series 1-1 Associated Press
New York Yankees congratulate each other after winning Game 2 of the Major League Baseball World Series Thursday in New York. The Yankees defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1 to tie the series 1-1. Associated Press
Philadelphia Phillies' Ryan Howard stands in the infield during eighth inning of Game 2 of the Major League Baseball World Series Thursday in New York. Howard struck out all four times at bat during the game. The New York Yankees defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1 to tie the series 1-1. Associated Press
Singers Alicia Keys, left, and Shawn "JAY-Z" Carter leave the field at Yankee Stadium after performing before Game 2 of the Major League Baseball World Series Thursday. Associated Press