Utley keeps Phillies hopes alive

Philadelphia Phillies kept alive their hopes of retaining the World Series by beating New York Yankees 8-6 - although the Phillies trail 3-2 in the series.

Two home runs by Chase Utley and expert pitching by Cliff Lee set up the win.

The Phillies led 6-1 early on, made it 8-2 after seven innings, and survived a late Yankees rally in the eighth.

Game six of the best-of-seven series is in New York on Wednesday - with the Yankees needing just one more win to clinch their 27th.

However, a Philadelphia triumph on Wednesday would force a deciding seventh game on Thursday.

Left-hander Lee was awarded his second win of the Fall Classic, having pitched the Phillies to victory in game one, gave up just two runs in the first seven innings before the Yankees knocked in three more runs in the eighth.

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" I hope the series goes to a Game 7 as this is when the real nervousness begins! "

By contrast, Yankees starter AJ Burnett gave up six runs before leaving the game early in the third innings.

Second baseman Utley now has a record-equalling five homers in this World Series, matching Yankees legend Reggie Jackson's total from 1977.

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.

Meanwhile, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said he hoped Utley could keep up his good form to take the Series to a decider.

"Chase, when he gets hot, definitely he can get hot and stay hot for a month or two," said Manuel. "Knock on wood."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he was not surprised by Utley's heroics.

"He's a very dangerous hitter, and he puts up great numbers every year," he said.

However, the Phillies are waiting on the fitness of centre fielder Shane Victorino, who was struck on the hand by a fastball from Burnett in the first innings.

"He had X-rays, and it's not broken, but as the game went on, his finger kept swelling," Manuel added.

"He couldn't grip the ball and he also couldn't grip the bat. Eventually he had to come out of the game."

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