Just like in the ’73 World Series, Yogi Berra will be questioned whether he should have started George Stone. Jon Matlack didn’t retire a batter after the Yankees scored 4 runs in the first, and Mariano staved off a late comeback with 2 scoreless innings in a 6-4 victory, which clinched the series for the Yanks 4-2.

Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter, who were named co-MVP’s, put the series to bed in the first inning. Jeter homered on the first pitch of the ballgame to make it 1-0. After singles by Johnny Damon and Mark Teixeira, Rodriguez sent a 3-run blast into left-field to make it 4-0. Yogi Berra would remove Matlack and replace him with George Stone. If you remember, Stone pitched 4 innings in Game 5 after the Yanks knocked Jerry Koosman out of the box.

Stone wasn’t dominant, but he hurled 5.2 innings and allowed only 1-unearned run, despite 6 walks. The unearned happened in the 6th as Rusty Staub misplayed a fly ball by Nick Swisher, who was driven in on a groundout by Johnny Damon.

Andy Pettitte made up for his poor Game 3 performance by shutting down the Mets for 6 innings. He tired in the 7th and gave up three consecutive singles to Don Hahn, George Theodore, and Buddy Harrelson. Joe Girardi brought in Phil Hughes, who allowed a 3-run homer in the short porch to Wayne Garrett to make it 5-4. This game was becoming eerily similar to the Game 3 situation where the Mets rallied from a 5-0 deficit off Pettitte.

Not this time, however, as Hughes finished off the 7th and the Yanks tacked on another run. Cleon Jones made an error of his own by dropping an A-Rod long fly ball at the wall in left. Tough scoring decision, but the Yanks had an important run on base. Hideki Matsui would drive him in with a single to make it 6-4.

Enter the Sandman. Rivera was touched up for the loss in Game 3. He breezed through the final six outs, striking out 3, earning the save, and closing the door on the game and series.

Andy Pettitte got the win. Matlack took the loss.

Derek Jeter led both teams in hits with 11, which was good for a .440 batting average. A-Rod hit .360 with 2 HRs and 8 RBI. The only other player on the Yankees that hit over the Mendoza Line was Melky Cabrera (.273), the hero of Game 1. The MVP duo carried the Yankees to victory.

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FINAL PLAYER STATS

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Tags: 1973 Mets, 2009 Yankees, Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte, Derek Jeter, George Stone, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Yogi Berra