NEW YORK, 26 October 2003 — The Florida Marlins are looking to cap another series comeback with a victory in New York that would give them their second World Series title in the past six years.
“Obviously we would like to close it out on Saturday and not have to worry about Sunday,” said Marlins’ Jeff Conine, who doubled and walked in Florida’s 6-4 victory in game five of the World Series.
The Marlins have a 3-2 series lead on the New York Yankees and can end their superb season with a victory in Game Six.
But first they must return to hostile Yankee Stadium where they will face left-hander Andy Pettitte. Marlins have rediscovered their offense the last two games and have been winning games with “small ball”.
They hit just one home run in the first five games of the World Series. Of Florida’s 40 hits in this series, 31 have been singles.
“We know it is going to be a tough battle,” said Marlins third baseman Mike Lowell. “But I think we will be ready. We are not going to get wrapped up in the idea that all we have to do is go 1-1. We’re focused.”
Florida are looking for their third series comeback this season as the Marlins trailed San Francisco in the National League division series before winning three games to one and trailed Chicago 3-1 in the NLCS before winning three straight to take the series 4-3. In the first three games of the series, the Marlins had 21 strikeouts, which equaled their hit total. They managed just five hits in those games.
But on Thursday they got at least one hit from eight different players. Luis Castillo was the lone starter who didn’t get a hit.
The Marlins will face Pettite and then, if necessary, right-hander Mike Mussina on Sunday. “It’s tough. We got to face Pettitte and Mussina,” said pitcher Brad Penny, the hero of game five with four strikeouts and his second win in the series. “We know it is not over. We are real excited but we got to go out there and take care of business.”
Florida manager Jack McKeon said he will start right-hander Josh Beckett.
“We figured we might as well go with our best,” said McKeon on Friday. “We’re gonna try to win one at a time.”
