By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, November 2, 2009

Chase Utley rounds the bases after hitting a three-run blast off A.J. Burnett, the first of his two home runs.

PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies still have a long way to go to repeat as world champions. But just getting the World Series 108 miles back up the turnpike to New York with an 8-6 win Monday was a significant accomplishment.

The Phillies won because fully-rested Cliff Lee provided another stellar start. They won because Chase Utley hit two more home runs, matching Reggie Jackson's 32-year-old Series record of five. And they won because the Yankees' decision to start A.J. Burnett on short rest backfired horribly, with the potential of ongoing ramifications.

"We're still fighting," Lee said.

Game 6 will be Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium, with the potential for tremendous theater given the expected pitching matchup of big-game veterans Pedro Martinez (who is confirmed) and Andy Pettitte (who seems likely).

The Yankees still lead the Series 3-2 and have the homefield advantage, courtesy of the Joe Maddon-managed and Carl Crawford-preserved American League All-Star victory, as well as history on their side, as only three teams of the 23 teams who had 3-1 Series leads with the final two games at home have not prevailed (the 1958 Braves, '68 Cardinals and '79 Orioles).

"We're going home with an opportunity to win," captain Derek Jeter said. "I like where we're at."

But the Phillies could have something of an edge, with the momentum, the pressure that will be on the Yankees to not blow it and the benefit of having Martinez on five days' rest in contrast to the 37-year-old Pettitte on three.