PETTITTE HELPS HIMSELF

After a slump-breaking homer from ARod pulled the Yankees within one, Nick Swisher, busting his own slide, doubled down the left field line. It was then up to pitcher Andy Pettitte, who had given up 3 runs to the Phillies, to try to get his right fielder home. The pitcher indeed helped his own cause ripping a single that scored Swisher, and tied the game. From there, the Yankees went on to win 8-5, but it was the Yankee veteran that once again did what he's always done best: kept the Yankees in the game.

Meanwhile, Cole Hamels imploded for the Phillies, with the highlight being Swisher and ARod putting their last few games aside and breaking their slumps against him. Swisher employed a new batting stance that extended his legs further, and made him move less. Batting coach Kevin Long needs to be heartily thanked for that. ARod, on the other hand, just needs to thank himself for believing his two game slide was nothing more than getting beat by good pitching. He's been the MVP of the post-season, and he certainly proved he's turned a major corner. His home run is also a major reason why instant replay can be so vital to baseball. Best call of the post-season thus far.

On the Phillies side of things, you have really be wowed by Jayson Werth. This guy has turned into a superstar this year, and his skills were on display in this game. If he can become a consistent player for them in the next couple of years, he'll be in for a major contract.

Two guys on the Yankee side of things that deserve new contracts are Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui. Damon had a big hit, and Matsui had a pinch-hit home run, his second shot in two games. I won't go into detail about this now, but you can bank that I feel that both of these guys deserve to return.

Speaking of returning, CC Sabathia returns tonight on three days rest to take on Joe Blanton in a huge Game Four!