The defending champion Phillies shut down Alex Rodriguez & Co. in the first Series game at the new billion-dollar Yankee Stadium. Trying to become the first National League team to repeat since the Cincinnati Reds in 1975-76, the Phillies' 17-4 postseason run is the best in league history.
Big Red Machine, meet your match.
"We have confidence. We know we have a good team," Utley said.
Game 2 is tonight, with wily Pedro Martinez pitching for the Phillies against jumpy A.J. Burnett.
Ryan Howard reprised his MVP performance, doubling twice and driving in the final run for the Phillies. Rodriguez, however, went hitless and struck out three times in his Series debut.
Hardly looking like the 2-to-1 underdogs they are, the Phillies were in such control that many fans left before the final out.
Lee bamboozled the Yankees with a spiked curveball, deceptive changeup and his usual pinpoint fastball, pitching a six-hitter without a walk. He blanked the Yankees until a run scored on shortstop Jimmy Rollins' throwing error in the ninth inning. The left-hander improved to 3-0 with an 0.54 earned-run average this postseason.
He seemed to enjoy himself, too.
If Lee felt any anxiety in his Series debut, facing the team that led the majors in wins, homers and runs, it didn't show. And if the Phillies were supposed to be intimidated of the pictures of Babe Ruth and all the Yankees greats on the giant videoboard, it didn't happen.
"To be honest, I really never have been nervous in the big leagues," Lee said. "This is what I wanted to do my whole life. This is what I take pride in."
