Pettitte and Matsui hook Marlins as Yankees level World Series

HIDEKI MATSUI smashed a three-run homer in the first inning and Andy Pettitte tossed eight scoreless innings as the New York Yankees evened the World Series at a game apiece with a 6-1 triumph over the Florida Marlins on Sunday night.

After going one for 12 with runners in scoring position in the series opener and facing the unenviable prospect of being down two games with the series headed to Florida, New York got an early clutch hit from its Japanese rookie who is nicknamed Godzilla.

The Yankees had runners at the corners and two outs when Marlins starter Mark Redman (0-1) fell behind Matsui, 3-0.