by Ed Gruver / Ed Gruver , Intelligencer Journal/New Era

Blue Sunday - already written into Philly sports lore as the sequel to Black Friday - left the defending world champs one loss from extinction. And if the stiff, shocked expressions in their clubhouse early Monday morning served as an indication, it also left the Fightins feeling as if they were not only getting figuratively mugged by the Bronx dwellers, but also getting their pockets picked by the city slickers.

Witness Johnny Damon outfoxing the Phils' infield by swiping second and third Sunday in the ninth inning of Game 4, an absolutely crucial sequence that caused Brad Lidge to abandon his signature slider. We all know what happened after that.

Witness Andy Pettitte's pick-off move, so proficient in Game 3 here Saturday night that Jimmy Rollins was actually retreating to first base as the Yankee southpaw fired home.

And witness Yankees catcher Jose Molina picking Jayson Werth off first base in Game 2 last Thursday night in Yankee Stadium.

Big-city ball, right, Charlie Manuel?

"I felt that the game Cole (Hamels) started (Saturday) night, the Yankees kind of took it to us," the Phils skipper said Monday afternoon. "But I felt like the other two were real close games. When it got down to it, they outplayed us because they got the hit at the big moment, they got the pitching at the big moment and they made all the big plays."

They make all the small ones, too. It's not a good idea to give these Yankees extra chances. In many ways, their style of play personifies the cold opportunism of big-city life. Leave the door open an inch, and the Yanks will kick it in.

The Phils have taken note.

"They get that one little hit or we walk a guy and next thing you know they'll make it a big inning," center fielder Shane Victorino said. "You've got to tip your hat to them for what they've done."

Tip your hat, or ball your fist?

Manuel promised Monday his squad would answer in a manner appropriate to Broad Street.

"We know what's up for grabs," he said. "We've got to go get it. We're going to out there and play like always."

Translation: Grip it and rip it.

But it's the Bombers who, on this night, adopted the policy first. To a rowdy bleacher chorus of "You took steroids!" A-Rod roped an RBI double into the right field corner and the sound of silence echoed into the South Philly night.

The Phils, who had appeared cheerful and composed during BP earlier in the evening, responded. Rollins re-energized the raucous, sellout crowd with a sharp single off A.J. Burnett. Shane Victorino squared to bunt and hit the dirt in agony when the pitch rode in - and into - his right fist. Fightins fans saw it as a retaliatory strike for liberties taken by their hurlers - A-Rod had been drilled three times in two games - and shook the stadium with deafening, unprintable chants.

When Chase Utley drove a Burnett delivery deep into the center field seats, the Towel Twirlers rose in unison, and Joe Girardi's warning from earlier in the day came rushing back.

"I think of this Phillies club, they're the defending world champions," the Yankee boss said. "They're very tested."

The score stuck at 3-1 until the third. That's when the Phils, taking their cue from the brawlers at The Blue Horizon over on North Broad, KO'd Burnett with three more runs. Girardi's decision to start the Game 2 winner on short rest -three days rather than his customary four - proved disastrous.

Backed by a big lead, Lee settled into stride. The southpaw began each inning by wind-milling his left arm furiously, turning toward center and delivering a phantom pitch.

A superstitious habit, to be sure.

But there seemed little need for such measures this night. Manuel's "grip it and rip it" philosophy resulted in the kind of powerball these Phils are famous for. And Utley's bravura performance made certain that Blue Sunday was supplanted by manic Monday.

The Phils? They began the night seeking to find a way to win on their home turf.

By night's end, they were hoping to find themselves in a New York state of mind.

egruver@lnpnews.com

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