AP News
(2009-10-30 01:37:25)
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The New York Yankees tipped their caps to Philadelphia pitcher Cliff Lee, who was brilliant in winning Wednesday's World Series opener 6-1, and then turned their focus on leveling the Fall Classic in Game Two.
"It's big, we need to win it and take it to Philly 1-1," Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez told reporters about Thursday's game in New York that has A.J. Burnett opposing Phillies starter Pedro Martinez.
The best-of-seven series shifts to Philadelphia on Saturday for three games, if needed.
Lee humbled the powerful New York lineup and quieted a crowd of more than 50,000 by yielding just six hits and striking out 10 without a walk in the complete-game victory.
"He was dominant," said Rodriguez, who struck out three times and went 0-for-4 at the plate. "He dominated our lineup. He probably would have dominated any lineup tonight."
The only run mustered by the American League champions came on a throwing error by shortstop Jimmy Rollins in the ninth.
"We have to leave it behind and start again tomorrow," catcher Jorge Posada said. "We can't think about this game anymore."
Derek Jeter, whose three hits represented half the Yankees total, said there was no need to panic.
"We've just got to win a game, it's nothing more complicated than that," the Yankees captain said. "You don't do anything different. You handle every game the same. If we had won the game, it would be the same."
Jeter said going up against Martinez, a familiar foe from his seven seasons with bitter rivals the Boston Red Sox, may not be any easier for them.
"More of the same," the shortstop said. "Pedro knows how to pitch. He likes this atmosphere, he likes the big stage."
(Writing by Larry Fine, Editing by Peter Rutherford)
