Wednesday, Nov. 04, 2009

Mom of Yankees' Chamberlain faces prison for drugs

LINCOLN, Neb. -- The mother of New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain faces up to 20 years in prison on a felony drug-sale charge.

The Lincoln Journal Star reported Tuesday that Jackie Standley pleaded no contest Monday to delivery of a controlled substance in Lincoln, Neb.

Sentencing is set for Dec. 16, pending a recommendation from a drug and alcohol treatment center.

Lincoln police say the 44-year-old Standley was arrested in May after selling a gram of methamphetamine to an undercover officer at her Lincoln apartment.

The Yankees play Game 6 of the World Series against Philadelphia on Wednesday.

Phillies' ace may start Game 7 on 2 days' rest

PHILADELPHIA Cliff Lee's perfect postseason might not be over yet.

Lee could earn a Game 7 start for the Philadelphia Phillies if they force the World Series to a decisive game against the New York Yankees.

The Phillies' left-handed ace has been flawless in the postseason with a 4-0 record and a 1.56 ERA in five starts. Manager Charlie Manuel bypassed Lee for a Game 4 start on three day' rest because he wanted to keep him on his regular schedule.

He wasn't his usual dominant self taking his normal turn in Game 5 on Monday night. Lee had far from his best stuff and allowed five runs in seven-plus innings before his bullpen bailed him out in Philadelphia's 8-6 win over the Yankees.

Lee pitched 231 2-3 innings for the Indians and Phillies this season, and another 40 1-3 innings in the playoffs. Lee, the Game 1 winner, has pitched at least seven innings in all five postseason starts.

Manuel's philosophy might change if Game 6 starter Pedro Martinez can help the Phillies win Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium and tie the Series at 3.

Lee would usually throw a bullpen session on Thursday. Manuel might use him for a few innings on just two days' rest.

"We don't know about that yet," Manuel said. "I'll talk to him about what he thinks about if he can pitch at all or something."

A-Rod sets postseason record for Yanks

A-Rod is atop the Yankees' postseason RBI list.

Alex Rodriguez was 2 for 4 with three RBIs in Game 5 and now has knocked in 18 runs this postseason. He set the team record with 16 on an RBI double in the first inning of New York's 8-6 loss to the Phillies on Monday night.

Rodriguez passed Bernie Williams (1996) and Scott Brosius (1998), who each had 15. Rodriguez is also closing in on the single postseason record for RBIs. Cleveland's Sandy Alomar Jr. (1997), Anaheim's Scott Spiezio (2002) and Boston's David Ortiz (2004) all had 19.

Victorino expects to play in Game 6

Shane Victorino swiveled on a chair toward the pack of media and flashed two thumbs up. His hand was fine and he expects to play in Game 6.

"Two thumbs up everybody," he said. "That's all you need to know."

Victorino put a scare into the Phillies after he was hit on the right index finger 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, Victorino went 0 for 3 and was replaced in the eighth inning by Ben Francisco.

Season is a numbers game for Yanks' Girardi

Joe Girardi's goal has always been on his back. The Yankees manager wears uniform No. 27 because the franchise has been chasing its 27^th championship.

Girardi hadn't considered a uniform switch next season if the Yankees beat the Phillies. But with New York holding a 3-2 edge in the Series, Girardi is focused on the present.

"I'm sure my kids would have recommendations what my uniform number should be, but I haven't thought about that," Girardi said.