PHILADELPHIA — The Flyin’ Hawaiian was almost grounded.
Shane Victorino squared to bunt when — whack! — he was drilled on the right hand. Victorino put a scare into the Phillies after he was hit by an A.J. Burnett fastball in the first inning. He shook his head and stayed in the game, scoring on Chase Utley’s three-run homer.
Though x-rays were negative, the Phillies centerfielder was clearly in discomfort the rest of the way in Philadelphia’s 8-6 Game 5 win over the Yankees on Monday night. He gingerly removed his batting gloves after each at-bat and appeared to have trouble gripping the ball on his throws.
He grimaced and shook his wrist after popping out in the second inning.
Victorino, a native of Hawaii, went 0 for 3 and was replaced in the eighth inning by Ben Francisco. Victorino might catch a break with Thursday’s off day before the Series resumes on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium.
Victorino didn’t know he was replaced until he saw Francisco in center. Victorino pleaded with manager Charlie Manuel to leave him in the game and move Francisco to left field to replace the slower Raul Ibanez. Manuel shook his head no.
Maybe Manuel should have listened to his All-Star after Ibanez barely failed to grab Mark Teixeira’s double in the eighth.
It’s been a rough World Series for centerfielders. Yankees centerfielder Melky Cabrera has a slightly strained left hamstring and was replaced on the roster.
New York’s Brett Gardner made a fantastic catch to rob Jayson Werth in the fifth inning. He made a leaping, outstretched grab and slammed his back into the wall. He was down for a few minutes, but also stayed in the game.
GAME 6 — Starters for Game 6 are back in play.
Manager Charlie Manuel said before Monday night’s game that he has one picked out — Game 2 loser Pedro Martinez is the likely candidate as Philadelphia will try to win its second straight on Wednesday and force a Game 7.
The Yankees likely will start Game 3 winner Andy Pettitte on three days rest.
“Andy is going to do his work today (Monday), his light bullpen session, and we’ll see how he feels tomorrow,” manager Joe Girardi said.
PHOTO FINISH — Joba Chamberlain had one heck of a photo finish.
The Yankees reliever was thrilled to celebrate New York’s Game 4 win on Sunday — he just didn’t realize he was the one credited with the victory.
“It actually didn’t hit me until my sister showed me the picture,” Chamberlain said. “I didn’t even think about it. She took a picture, and she goes, ‘You won in the College World Series and now you won in the World Series.”’
Chamberlain squandered the lead in the eighth inning when he gave up a solo home run to Pedro Feliz that tied the score at 4. The 24-year-old Chamberlain, who pitched for Nebraska in the 1995 College World Series, struck out Carlos Ruiz to end the inning.
Email Story
Printer Friendly 
Quick Job Search
@Nyx.replyAnswerText@