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Utley homers, Phillies knock out Burnett early in Game 5

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Chase Utley's three-run homer in the opening frame off A.J. Burnett set the tone and the Philadelphia Phillies hold a 6-1 lead over the New York Yankees after three innings in Game 5 of the World Series.Even though the defending World Series champions are ahead, they are facing elimination, down 3-1 in the best-of-seven series. The Phillies are also dealing with an injury to center fielder Shane Victorino who was hit on his right index finger by a Burnett pitch in the first inning, although he remains in the game.

Burnett, the Game 2 winner and pitching on three days' rest, was removed with nobody out in the bottom of the third inning and facing a 5-1 deficit.

The Yankees, who have won the last three contests and are coming off a 7-4 win Sunday night, are going after their unprecedented 27th title and their first since 2000 when they beat the Mets in five games.

Phillies starting pitcher Cliff Lee came into the game with a 3-0 mark and 0.54 ERA this postseason and went the distance in a 6-1 victory in the opener of the World Series, but the lefty gave up a run in the opening inning.

Johnny Damon, who scored the go-ahead run Sunday, singled to center with one out. With two down, Alex Rodriguez hit a line RBI double down the right field line.

Rodriguez, who had the go-ahead RBI double with two outs in the ninth inning Sunday, now has 16 RBI in this postseason, passing Bernie Williams (1996) and Scott Brosius (1998) for the most by a Yankee in a single playoff year.

The Phillies, though, got to a shaky Burnett in the bottom half. Jimmy Rollins hit a lead-off single to center. Victorino squared to bunt, but went down in a heap after taking a ball off his finger. Utley then drilled a first-pitch fastball over the wall in right field.

Utley has homered four times in this World Series and six times in the Fall Classic for his career to pass Billy Martin for the most lifetime Series homers by a second baseman.

The Phillies chased Burnett from the mound before the righty could record an out in the third. Utley and Ryan Howard walked before Jayson Werth singled up the middle for a 4-1 lead. A base hit to right from Raul Ibanez extended the margin.

David Robertson entered in relief, but it became 6-1 when Carlos Ruiz was safe at first on a potential double-play ball. Robertson stranded two runners later in the frame by striking out Rollins.

Burnett was the second straight Yankees starter to work on three days' rest as CC Sabathia did it Sunday. He came into Monday's game 4-0 with a 2.33 ERA in four career starts on three days' rest.

Of the 43 teams leading 3-1, 37 have gone on to win the World Series. That's happened each of the last five occasions since Kansas City rallied from a 3-1 deficit to defeat St. Louis in 1985. The Yankees have never lost a World Series when grabbing a 3-1 advantage, winning the title all eight previous times.

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