A.J. Burnett took a page from Cliff Lee's how-to manual and backed by a few key hits and a sharp pickoff throw, New York drew even with the Phillies at one game apiece.
Mark Teixeira and Hideki Matsui helped rally the Yankees with solo home runs off familiar foe Pedro Martinez, and Burnett's biting curveball frustrated Philadelphia in a 3-1 victory Thursday night.
After his team lost 6-1 in Wednesday's opener, Burnett happened to hear Lee talk about confidence during an on-field interview. It left an impression.
"He talked about belief in his stuff, and all I told myself last night and today was the same thing," Burnett said. "I went out tonight with confidence, and just, you know, the game just rolled by."
Light-hitting Matt Stairs, in a 4-for-51 slide, put the Phillies on top with an RBI single in the second off the glove of third baseman Alex Rodriguez. Philadelphia never got another runner past second base against Burnett and Mariano Rivera, who combined on a six-hitter.
After a day off, Game 3 will be at Philadelphia on Saturday night.
"We're not depressed at all. We feel pretty good," Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins said.
New York had managed only an unearned run in the first 12 innings of the Series but came to life after a pickoff throw from backup catcher Jose Molina caught Jayson Werth off first in the fourth inning. The Yankees went on to their first Series win at their new $1.5 billion ballpark - and their first since taking a 2-1 lead against Florida in 2003.
