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Phils' Ibanez shakes disappointment, delivers as DH

NEW YORK - You are Raul Ibanez and you've waited your whole life for this moment. The World Series. In your hometown.

After struggling early in the game, Raul Ibanez hit a single in the eighth inning that drove in two runs. (Ron Cortes/Staff Photographer)
After struggling early in the game, Raul Ibanez hit a single in the eighth inning that drove in two runs. (Ron Cortes/Staff Photographer)Read more

NEW YORK - You are Raul Ibanez and you've waited your whole life for this moment.

The World Series.

In your hometown.

The Yankees in the other dugout.

And then you see that you're not playing the position you occupied all year, and suddenly the dream script doesn't look quite the same. Instead of left field, you are the designated hitter.

"You're still getting to play," Ibanez said later. "You're still getting your at-bats. You've got to help your team win no matter what you're doing."

Indeed, after struggling early in his role as designated hitter, Ibanez confirmed manager Charlie Manuel's decision and overcame his own disappointment by getting one of the game's biggest hits.

The Phillies led, 2-0, but the Yankees have erased those thin late-inning deficits. Ibanez, with two outs and the bases load, slapped a 2-2 fastball into right field, scoring Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino and making the Phillies' 6-1 Game 1 victory that much less difficult.

"I found a hole," Ibanez said. "It's always good to find a hole."

Manuel knew Ibanez, who had played in left all season, wouldn't want to sit and hit. And, early on anyway, the first-year Phillie didn't look comfortable in the spot. Manuel had suggested as much before the game.

"I look at a decision as something you have to make, and sometimes you do have to make tough decisions," Manuel had said.

"I hear people say, 'Aren't you afraid to hurt his feelings and things like that?' No, I'm not intentionally trying to hurt anyone's feelings. I think if you get to know me, you will see that," said Manuel. "I think, first of all, when I talk to our team, the No. 1 thing is win the game. You can take your feelings, they're out the window. My heart is good, but at the same time, for me to win the ball game is more important than my heart."

In the first inning, the bases were loaded with two outs. Ibanez worked the count full on CC Sabathia before grounding out to second baseman Robinson Cano, ending the inning and the threat.

Ibanez hung his head. His shoulders sagged as he returned to the dugout and watched as his teammates ran out to their regular positions. In the fourth and sixth innings, Ibanez struck out.

"My intention to win the game is much bigger than thinking about the other part of it," Manuel had said beforehand. "He's been playing very good for us. I just think he had an injury this year, and I think right now [Ben] Francisco moves a little bit better."

Ibanez moved much better in the eighth, racing around first base after his big hit and slapping hands vigorously with coach Davey Lopes, the enthusiasm acknowledging his contribution to another Phils series-opening win.

"Any time you got guys in scoring position you want to get them in," Ibanez said. "I was fortunate enough to get a hit and two guys scored."