One-Two Punch of Schilling and Johnson Knocked out Yankees

``That he stood up on the mound itself was a great fear for us.``

``He completely dominated our hitters including me.``

It was not for sure like the usual exaggeration of Americans. Yankee Manager Joe Torre and most popular shortstop Derek Jeter who have been known to be strongly proud and arrogant acknowledged their complete defeat in an interview after the game.

In World Series game two at Arizona`s home Bank One Ballpark, Phoenix, the ML all-time best team, the fourth consecutive World Series title chaser, New York Yankees could not even stand against the Arizona armed with `one-two punch of Schilling and Johnson`.

Johnson followed Curt Schilling`s winning opener with an even more imposing three-hit shutout, a 4-0 win in his World Series debut. It was a best outing in his career. During first three innings, Johnson retreated nine batters with 7 strikeouts and 2 groundball outs. And he finally led his team`s 4-0 win throwing 9 scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts and 3 hits.

On the other hand, the Yankee batters were helpless against Big Unit, to the extent that Randy Velarde (career BA 0.452 against Randy Johnson) was the only hitter without a strikeout among the starting line-up.

However, it was only unsatisfactory point for Korean fans that when Manager Bob Brenly asked Johnson whether he wanted to pitch more in the ninth, considering closer Kim Byung-Hyun who was warming up in the bullpen, he said `yes` without hesitation.

Meanwhile, Manager Brenly`s commanding was also radiant. Substituting for Steve Finley, No. five hitter Danny Bautista hit a RBI-double in the second. And with one out in the seventh and a runner at first, Bautista bounced a ball off Pettitte`s right thigh for a single, which served up next hitter Matt Williams` three run homer to make it 4-0.

Overshadowed by Johnson`s fabulous outing, Matt Williams became a first player who hit a World Series homer in three different teams following the San Francisco Giants in 1989 and the Cleveland Indians in 1997.

The game three will be held at 9: 30 am on 31st (Korean Time), in which the Yankees will attempt at revenging with a 20-win starter Roger Clemens against a 4-win starter Brian Anderson.

zangpabo@donga.com