PHILADELPHIA — Alex Rodriguez waited all game for this hit. Heck, he waited his whole career.
Rodriguez delivered the biggest hit of his life, a go-ahead, two-out double in the ninth inning off Brad Lidge and the New York Yankees took advantage of Johnny Damon's alert dash to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-4 last night for a 3-1 lead in the World Series.
Derek Jeter delivered all game and Mariano Rivera closed it out as the Yankees moved within one win of that elusive 27th championship and first since 2000. Rodriguez could really savor this victory — seething after again being hit by a pitch, he struck back with his potent black bat.
The Yankees will try to clinch it tonight when A.J. Burnett faces October ace Cliff Lee.
Chase Utley and Pedro Feliz hit late home runs for the Phillies that tied it at 4. Then it moved to the ninth and Phils brought in Lidge — a postseason star last year, who had struggled all season before regaining his touch this October.
But November was not so kind to him.
