World Series notebook: Phillies' top players failed to perform

NEW YORK — Ryan Howard kept striking out. Cole Hamels had a meltdown on the mound. Brad Lidge imploded in a crucial spot.

With their slugger, former ace and closer struggling on the big stage, the Philadelphia Phillies had no chance to repeat. Their bid to become the first NL team in 33 years to win consecutive World Series titles fell two wins short against the New York Yankees with a 7-3 loss in Game 6 Wednesday night.

"Our goal is to come back and play again, and hopefully we play the Yankees again," manager Charlie Manuel said.

Chase Utley tied Reggie Jackson's record for homers in a Series with five, and Cliff Lee earned two wins.

But the Phillies couldn't overcome poor performances by three players who played crucial roles in helping them win the franchise's second championship in 2008. Hamels was MVP of the World Series last year against Tampa Bay. Lidge got two saves vs. the Rays and Howard had three homers and six RBIs.

They won't have fond memories of this one.

The Phillies gave Hamels a 3-0 lead in the pivotal Game 3. But after tossing three scoreless innings, the temperamental lefty fell apart. He allowed five runs over 4 1-3 innings in an 8-5 loss that gave New York a 2-1 lead.

Lidge, who led the majors with 11 blown saves in the regular season, made one appearance against the Yankees. He entered with the score tied in the ninth inning in Game 4. After retiring the first two batters, Lidge gave up three runs in a 7-4 loss.

Howard, the MVP of the NL championship series against Los Angeles, set a record with 13 strikeouts in a World Series. Willie Wilson fanned 12 times for Kansas City against Philadelphia in 1980.

Howard hit a two-run homer Wednesday night. But the All-Star first baseman finished with a .174 batting average (4 for 23), one homer and three RBIs.

NO. 7 FOR STEINBRENNER: Derek Jeter and the New York Yankees said throughout the postseason they wanted to win another title for George Steinbrenner.

The frail owner wasn't around when New York beat Philadelphia 7-3 on Wednesday night to win the World Series, but there's no doubt the outcome brought a smile to his face.

It was the 79-year-old Steinbrenner's seventh crown since he bought the team in 1973 and first since turning over the day-to-day operation of the team to his son, Hal, last November. Hal Steinbrenner was expected to accept the championship trophy.

George Steinbrenner has made few public appearances since his health deteriorated in recent years. He attended the first two games against the Phillies, returning to the new Yankee Stadium for the first time since opening day.

RECORDS: Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira was hit by a pitch in the third inning Wednesday night, tying two World Series records.

Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez each were plunked three times against the Phillies, joining Pittsburgh's Max Carey in 1925 as the only players to be hit three times in a single Series.

The 2009 Yankees, 1909 Pirates and 2001 Diamondbacks are the only clubs with six HBPs as a team in a Series.