The 'Chase' to Stay Alive

Philadelphia Second baseman Chase Ut(ter)ley propelled the Phillies to a 8-6 World Series victory Monday night with a record tying fifth home run that forces a game 6 against the New York Yankees scheduled for Wednesday night in the Bronx.

Utley stroked two more dingers during the game in front of a 46,000-strong home crowd that was resistant to showing those Damn Yankees any brotherly love.

His first-inning fourth and seventh-ining fifth homers of the series tied the current record held by then Oakland’s Reggie JacksonReggie Jackson during the 1977 Fall Classic for most HRs during a single World Series.

The Yankees attempt to muster another ninth inning comeback fell short after Derrick Jeter hit into a double play and former Anaheim Angel Mark TeixeiraMark Teixeira whiffed for the last out in the top of the ninth.

“It’s pretty cool,” the understated Utley told a reporter. “It’s pretty surreal. I’m glad we got the win tonight. We’re going back to Yankee Stadium.”

Cliff LeeCliff Lee pitched another masterpiece to stave off any victory dance by the Bronx Bombers.

Game 6 comes up Wednesday night, with New York’s Andy PettitteAndy Pettitte on three days rest against Pedro Martinez.

Utley first appearance at the plate garnered a go-ahead, three-run homer off NY’s A.J. BurnettA.J. Burnett and added another solo shot to join Jackson as the only players to hit five home runs in a single World Series.

During the first three innings the Phillies hit early and often forcing Burnett from the game before the end of the third inning. He allowed six hits, four runs and four walks in two plus innings before being “Chased”.

“If we would have pitched today, we probably would have won,” Yankees manager Joe GirardiJoe Girardi lamented to the press. “That’s the bottom line.”

If the Phillies prevail to become the first NL team to win consecutive Series titles since the 1975-76 Cincinnati Reds, many think Girardi’s pitching decisions will be second-guessed. No Series champion has gone the entire postseason with just three starters since the 1991 Minnesota Twins — when there were just two rounds of playoffs.

New York is trying to atone for its 2001 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks and the 2003 disaster to the Florida Marlins to capture its 27th Title as World Baseball Champions.

They can't count on Chase's help.