Versatile Pettitte vaults Yankees to Game 3 victory

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Andy Pettitte couldn't help but watch the 14th RBI of his career -- and the first from a Yanks pitcher in the World Series since 1964. AP World Series 2009 Game 6 Yanks 7, Phillies 3 | Box Score | SI Photos Posnanski: It was simply the Yanks' year Jenkins: Lack of pitching depth cost Phils Matsui named MVP after 6 RBIs in clincher Jeter, Pettitte, Posada, Rivera win 5th title Phillies' bid for repeat falls short vs. Yanks A-Rod enjoys moment after year of turmoil Steinbrenner wins seventh title as owner SI Photos Game 6 highlights All 27 championships Previous Coverage Select an option Game 5 Utley's homers help Phils force Game 6 Jenkins: Both managers deserve heat Posnanski: Utley's sweet swing delivers SI Photos: Select shots from Game 5 Game 4 A-Rod's late heroics put Yankees on brink Jenkins: Yankees take control of series Posnanski: Damon makes the difference SI Photos: Select shots from Game 4 Game 3 Yankees power past Phillies in Game 3 Verducci: Hamel's gaffe dooms Phillies Keith: Yankees finally break out the bats SI Photos: Select shots from Game 3 Game 2 Yanks chase Pedro, even World Series Verducci: Manuel's key decisions backfire Posnanski: Another great escape for Mo Keith: Even in loss, Pedro grabs spotlight Jenkins: Teixeira, Burnett come up huge SI Photos: Select shots from Game 2 Game 1 Lee, Utley overpower Yankees in opener Posnanski: Cool hand Lee stifles Yankees Jenkins: Utley lets hit bat do the talking Keith: Yankees' bats silenced in opener SI Photos: Select shots from Game 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Reiter: Five reasons the Yankees will win Jenkins: Five reasons the Phillies will win Keith: Position-by-position breakdown Corcoran: Players who need to step up Verducci: East Coast Baseball jinx Jenkins: Historic showdown on tap Heyman: Yankees-Phillies top matchups Podcast: Verducci previews Yanks-Phillies

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- If the New York Yankees have any money left over after the World Series, they might consider buying a bunch of earplugs. Because Derek Jeter predicts they're going to hear it all winter from Andy Pettitte.

The winningest pitcher in postseason history hung on for another victory Saturday night. It was Pettitte's bat, however, that he'll crow about.

Minus the DH at Citizens Bank Park, Pettitte had to swing for himself. He did fine, delivering a tying single that helped the Yankees beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-5 on Saturday night for a 2-1 Series lead over the defending champs.

The fifth-inning looper marked the first RBI by a Yankees pitcher in the World Series since Jim Bouton in 1964. While a batboy ran a jacket to Pettitte at first base, Jeter stepped into the batter's box.

"We're going to have to listen to Pettitte now," the Yankees captain told plate umpire Brian Gorman in a conversation replay on Fox. "He's been bragging about his hitting all year."

Pettitte later hustled home on Johnny Damon's double. Well, the ol' left-hander did the best he could on the bases -- Jeter almost caught Pettitte after rounding third.

Quite a run that Handy Andy has been on for quite a while.

Hoping to add a fifth championship ring, Pettitte earned his 17th postseason win and evened his Series record at 4-4. He overcame a rare, bases-loaded walk, worked around early trouble and left after the sixth inning with a 6-4 lead.

Pettitte was at his best against Chase Utley and Ryan Howard -- the Phillies' big boppers were hitless in six at-bats against Pettitte, striking out four times.

"He closed off our left-handed hitters," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said.

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