NFL | NCAAF | NBA | NCAAB | WNBA | NHL | MLB | AFL | CFL | Soccer | Tennis | Handball
Utley ties Jackson's record for homers in a Series
By ROB MAADDI
AP Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA (AP) --  Chase Utley is too old-school to flip his
bat, pause at the plate, jog slowly or do any flashy handshakes
after he hits home runs.

It's not like he doesn't have enough opportunities.

Utley connected twice Monday night to tie Reggie Jackson's
record for homers in a World Series, and the Philadelphia
Phillies beat the New York Yankees 8-6 in Game 5 to avoid
elimination.

Utley is batting .333 (6 for 18) with five homers and eight RBIs
against the Yankees. His success means more cameras follow him
around. Utley - no surprise - prefers to avoid the microphones.

"It's not my favorite part," Utley said. "My favorite part is
playing the game. But it obviously comes with the territory. You
kind of learn how to deal with it as you grow. I'm getting a
little bit more used to it. But I'd rather just go out and
play."

Utley got the Phillies started with a big swing, and the rest of
the slumping big boppers broke out of their hitting funk.

Utley hit a three-run shot off A.J. Burnett in the first inning
and a solo homer off Phil Coke in the seventh, becoming the
second player to have two multihomer games in a World Series.
Willie Aikens did it for Kansas City against the Phillies in
1980.

Jackson hit five homers for the Yankees in the 1977 Series
against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He earned the nickname "Mr.
October" with three in New York's clinching victory in Game 6.

"Obviously, it's great company," Utley said. "At some point, not
right now, maybe I'll look back on it and see what kind of
special moment it is. But right now our goal is to win two more
games."

Coming in, Utley didn't have a hit in the Series off any pitcher
except CC Sabathia. He had an RBI double and three solo homers
off the big lefty, including two in the opener.

Trying to become the seventh team to ever rally from a 3-1
deficit in the World Series, the Phillies forced the first Game
6 since the Florida Marlins beat the Yankees in six in 2003. The
Series resumes in New York on Wednesday night.

The defending champs weren't going to let the Yankees celebrate
in their house.

With Cliff Lee on the mound, it didn't seem the Phillies would
need many runs. Lee had been dominant in the postseason, coming
in with a dazzling 0.54 ERA in four starts.

Pitching on regular rest, Lee didn't have his best stuff. He
allowed five runs in seven-plus innings, but the offense bailed
him out and the left-hander improved to 4-0 in the playoffs.

If the Phillies force a seventh game, Lee could be out there
again on just two days' rest Thursday. It would be his turn to
throw a side session, and Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said
he'll consider using him for a few innings.

"I'm available," Lee said.

Raul Ibanez, who was just 3 for 16 in the Series, hit a solo
homer and RBI single. Jimmy Rollins had two hits and Jayson
Werth had a key RBI single and was robbed of extra bases by
center fielder Brett Gardner.

After New York jumped to a 1-0 lead on a RBI double by Alex
Rodriguez in the first, the Phils answered in their half.

Rollins led off with a single and Victorino took a fastball off
his hand after squaring to bunt. Victorino went down in pain,
but got up and stayed in until the eighth. X-rays on his finger
were negative and Victorino said he was OK.

Utley hit Burnett's next pitch - a 94 mph fastball - over the
right-field fence to give the Phillies a 3-1 lead. He circled
the bases so quickly that he rounded third before Rollins and
Victorino had even crossed the plate.

"He don't like for you to say a whole lot of things about him,"
Manuel said. "But he's one of the most prepared, one of the most
dedicated, he has the most desire and passion to play the game
that I've ever been around. I used to say Kirby Puckett was my
favorite player. The only thing Kirby might have on Chase is
he's more flamboyant because he smiles a lot, and Chase is a
little bit different. He's quiet and he goes about his business
in a real good way."

Utley got things going in the third with a leadoff walk. Werth
lined an RBI single and Ibanez singled in another run, chasing
Burnett.

Burnett pitched a gem against the Phillies in Game 2, allowing
one run and four hits in seven innings of a 3-1 victory. He
frustrated Philadelphia with a biting curveball and many hitters
took first-pitch strikes.

The Phillies came out swinging this time.