Yankees to start Burnett in Game 5

Sports Network | November 2, 2009

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi has decided to start A.J. Burnett on three days' rest for Monday's Game 5 of the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

New York won, 7-4, Sunday night to move within a victory of the franchise's 27th title. The Yankees hold a 3-1 lead in the series.

Burnett picked up the victory in Game 2 when the Yankees beat Pedro Martinez in a 3-1 final. In that game, Burnett allowed four hits and a run while walking two and fanning nine over seven innings. He's 4-0 with a 2.33 ERA in four career starts on three days' rest.

"I've waited a long time for it, and I'm going to take it full stride," said Burnett. "I'm going to go out there with everything I've got, and you take nothing for granted. I've seen some crazy things this postseason, and I guess that's why they call it postseason baseball, because anything can happen."

Girardi didn't say who he would start in Game 6, if there is one, but he didn't rule out bringing back Andy Pettitte on short rest for that game at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday. Pettitte earned the victory in Game 3 Saturday night, his 17th all-time in the playoffs, which is a major league record.

The defending World Series-champion Phillies will start lefty Cliff Lee in Game 5. Lee has sparkled with a 3-0 mark and a 0.54 ERA (two earned runs, 33 1/3 innings) this postseason. He threw a complete game to win the series opener.