Cliff Lee, Phillies Win World Series Game 5; May Face Yankees in Game 7

The Philadelphia Phillies' Cliff Lee added to his legend as a World Series pitching god Monday night in Game 5 of the 2009 Major League Baseball World Series, winning his second game and going nearly 8 innings. He may have gone the distance had not Raul Ibanez made a ham-handed attempt at flagging down a fly ball (the ball hit his glove on the outside of the glove). After 112 pitches (but only 3 strikeouts), Cliff Lee still had the lead (and the Phils would maintain the lead for Lee's second World Series victory). After 9 innings, Chan Ho Park's adequate relief in the 8th, and Madson's erratic save in the 9th, the Phillies won Game 5 of the World Series against the hard-charging New York Yankees, 8-6.

But Cliff Lee didn't do it alone. He had a little help from some awakened Philadelphia bats, kicked into gear by the already awake Chase Utley. Chase Utley hit two more home runs in Game 5 (accounting for four of the Phillies eight runs) to become Mr. October of the new millennium, tying Reggie Jackson's five home-run record in a single World Series set in 1977. There was a slight difference, however. Chase Utley tied the record in five World Series games, whereas Reggie Jackson set the record in six. Which means that in Game 6, Chase Utley might just set another record...

Raul Ibanez followed Chase Utley's single-shot homer in the 7th inning with one of his own, adding to the Phillies' 9-hit night. (The New York Yankees actually out-hit the Phillies, but only scored six runs off of their 10 hits.)

And if one believes that Cliff Lee's setting a World Series record in Game 1 with 10 strikeouts and no walks in nine innings, buffering his postseason win record to 5-0, and winning Game 5 was not enough to be considered for the MVP of the 2009 World Series (even though he may be on the losing team by the end of it, with the Yankees leading 3 games to 2), it is even being considered that Lee pitch in Game 7 should the Series reach that ultimate mark.

After the game, Lee told reporters that he was a "little off." However, he said, "I'll pitch whenever they want me to pitch. That's about as clear as I can say it. I'm ready whenever. I don't really get that sore, so I'll be ready to pitch whenever they want me to. If it's going to help the team win, I'm in."

So far, Cliff Lee has been the "win" man, both Phillies victories in Game 1 and Game 5 coming off of his arm. If the 2009 World Series makes it to Game 7 after going back to New York for Game 6, the Phillies just might want Lee to at least throw the ball a few pitches for good luck.

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Sources:

"2009 MLB World Series, Game 5," Fox Television
MLB.com