In winning a second straight National League title, the resilient Phils overcame many problems in 2009: Their ace and closer were rarely comfortable, their offense endured prolonged slumps, and their spring was interrupted by the death of longtime broadcaster Harry Kalas.
After all that, the question facing the Phils in April was relevant again in the World Series: Did they have enough pitching?
In this Series, the Phils' arms could not match the Yankees' bats. "When they needed that big inning, they were able to get that inning," Victorino said. "They always had that big hit."
Said manager Charlie Manuel, who gathered his players after the game to say he was proud of them: "We kind of sputtered a little bit."
Against a powerful Yankees team, the staff appeared fatally thin last night. The issue began with Martinez, a midseason acquisition. One of the pitcher's favorite phrases since he arrived in July has been "old goat," typically used in reference to himself.
On Tuesday, he promoted last night's game as a face-off of old goats; indeed, Martinez, 38, and Pettitte, 37, first faced each other May 31, 1998. Both are nearing the end of long and memorable careers, and both were still effective enough this year to be trusted in their teams' most important game of the season.
Throughout his four innings, Martinez had little to offer. He threw his first fastball of the night to Matsui in the second, after walking Alex Rodriguez to begin the inning. Matsui crushed the 87-m.p.h. offering over the right-field wall, but foul.
