World Series Score: Damon's Double-Steal Motors Yankees to Game 4 Win, 3-1 Series Lead

Johnny Damon’s stolen base(s) in the 9^th inning of World Series Game 4 between the Yankees and the Phillies was either brilliant or really stupid. Either way, it certainly was effective and has sent the Phillies to the brink of elimination, and the Yankees ever closer to their 27^th championship.

With two outs and the score tied 4-4 in the top of the 9^th, Damon fell behind Philly closer Brad Lidge in the count 1-2 before fighting back to fill the count 3-2. Damon won the battle by lining the ninth pitch of the at-bat, a fastball, into left field. Knowing he needed to get into scoring position, Damon stole second on a poor throw by Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz. That’s where the fun part started for Yankees fans.

With Teixeira at the plate, the Phillies were in the shift, leaving third baseman Pedro Feliz covering second on the steal. When Damon got there, seeing Feliz get pulled off the bag on the throw, he looked to third and noticed nobody was covering. From there it was a foot race, with the still-speedy Damon out-kicking Feliz and getting a rare double-steal.

With Damon on third, Teixeira ultimately reached after being hit by a pitch, Alex Rodriguez came to the plate and promptly doubled to left scoring Damon. The Yankees would score twice more in the inning on their way to a 7-4 win and a 3-1 Series lead.

While the play was spectacular insomuch as it worked out, Damon scored the go-ahead (and ultimately winning) run, was it worth the risk? Once he reaches second, he’s already in scoring position with two of the league’s best hitters coming up behind him in Teixeira and A-Rod. Then again, with a man on third Lidge’s pitch options become limited, taking his sinker completely off the table. Teixeira and A-Rod can just sit on his fastball.

Either way, the gamble paid off and the New York Yankees are on the cusp of another annoying offseason, leaving this Red Sox (and part-time Phillies fan) bummed out.

Cliff Lee takes the hill tonight for the Phils, facing AJ Burnett in a must-win game.