World Series: Hoosier Dad

NEW YORK - Even in defeat, Pedro Martinez came out looking like a winner.

The veteran right-hander shined for six innings in the 3-1 loss to the Yankees in Game 2 of the World Series but took the loss. After the game, he was showed why he will never be considered a loser.

"Regardless of what happened, the fact that I was the loser today for the game, I'm extremely proud and happy being able to participate, compete against a real, real good team, a very solid team, be able to put my team in position to catch up or win that game," he said. "At the same time tell myself that I made the right decision by coming back and getting this opportunity, putting myself in the position to get an opportunity to pitch in the World Series."

He also showed why many consider him one of the classiest players in the game. On his way out of the game in the eighth inning, he smiled at the fans. He talked about how he addressed a loud Yankees fan.

"It's a new Yankee Stadium, but the fans remain the fans," he said. "I remember one guy sitting right in front of the front row with his daughter, sitting with his daughter, and his daughter in one arm, and a cup of beer in the other hand and saying all kinds of nasty stuff.  I just told him, 'Your daughter is right beside you.  It's a little girl.  It's a shame you're saying all these things.'"

That's simply Pedro being Pedro. He speaks his mind and he pitches with heart.

Unfortunately for the Phillies' fans he is not receiving much run support. Thursday marked the second time in a row that Martinez did not have strong run support from his offense. He threw seven scoreless innings against the Dodgers in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series, but the Phillies scored once and lost, 2-1.

He was the tough-luck loser again Thursday.

"I felt like Pedro did a tremendous job," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "He changed speeds, and he definitely moved the ball around, and he was aggressive.  He wasn't afraid to throw inside to some of their big hitters, and he pitched a good game.  Pedro got hurt by the long ball off lefthanded hitters, and that's kind of  it was a heck of a game.  It was a very close game, and we couldn't pull it out."

Martinez's mistakes Thursday came with first baseman Mark T eixeira and Hideki Matsui at the plate. Each Yankees' slugger hit a solo home run,

"When I made a couple of mistakes, I paid for them," he said. "Teixeira's home run to me, seems like he hit a good pitch.  I just have to tip my hat and kind of let it go.  Matsui I was disappointed. I was just into a groove and pitching and throwing pitches, and just flip a curveball there, kind of paid for it."

There's a chance Martinez could pitch at Yankee Stadium once more if his turns comes up again. There's also a chance he never pitches in a big league game again.

."If we win the World Series, I'd suggest you fly to Dominican and come and ask me," he said. "If we don't win it, I'll probably give it another shot. "