2009 Chachi #83 World Series Game 5/Chase Utley

World Series Game 5 - November 2, 2009
Phillies 8, Yankees 6

No matter what the outcome, tonight's ballgame was going to be the last game played in Philadelphia in 2009. Staff ace Cliff Lee came through again, pitching 7 solid innings and ensuring the Phils would make a trip to the Bronx for Game 6.

Lee was erratic in the 1st, perhaps weighed down by the magnitude of this potential elimination game for the Phils. The Yankees scored first in the top of the 1st when Johnny Damon scored on an Alex Rodriguez double. The Phils would quickly jump back into things in the bottom of the inning. Jimmy Rollins singled, Shane Victorino was plunked and Chase Utley homered (the first non-solo home run for the Phillies this series) and the good guys led, 3-1.

The Phils chased Yankees starter A.J. Burnett in the 3rd, scoring twice more and taking a 5-1 lead. Chase Utley's solo home run in the 7th gave the Phils a 7-2 lead and landed Chase in the record books with his 7th career World Series home run. Phillies announcer Larry Andersen christened Chase as the first "Mr. Octember." Just to make sure the last few innings were comfortable for the bullpen, Raul Ibañez added a solo shot a few batters later to make it 8-2 . . . and they would need the cushion. The Yankees would score four times in the 8th and 9th innings, but the Phils hung on to force one more game.

He is the Man: Chase Utley's fifth home run of the 2009 World Series tied him with Reggie Jackson for most home runs in a single World Series. Reggie accomplished the feat in 1977.

Public Service Announcement: If you have a toddler and are weighing your dining options while at Disney's Animal Kingdom, you should steer clear of the Rainforest Cafe. Doug was terrified, terrified, of the swinging monkeys, roaring elephants, dangling snakes and the overall noise of the place. We switched tables a few times, but eventually made our exit. Earlier in the day, Doug loved the Kilimanjaro Safari. As we rode through the safari, he turned to me with a huge grin and exclaimed, "This is cool!" And of course, he loved giving Mickey a high five.