Yankees secure World Series lead

Rodriguez had struggled in the first two games of the series

The New York Yankees took a 2-1 lead in the World Series after coming from behind to stun Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies' home stadium.

After an 80-minute delay because of rain, the Phillies went 3-0 ahead with the help of Jayson Werth's home run.

But Alex Rodriguez hit a video-reviewed two-run homer in the fourth innings and the Yankees took the lead with three runs in their next visit to the plate.

Nick Swisher and Hideki Matsui also added home runs as the Yankees won 8-5.

The main talking point of the contest was the award of the two-run homer for Rodriguez, the first time such a call had been made in World Series history.

Rodriguez's first hit of the series rebounded off a television camera stationed on the right-field wall before rebounding back into play.

The officials originally called it a double but after reviewing the replay they sent the runners round.

"It was a big hit," said 'A-Rod', who snapped an 0-8 batting slump in his first World Series. "It woke our offence a little bit. It felt really good."

606: DEBATE Your thoughts heading into game four of the World Series

The series remains in Philadelphia for game four on Sunday night.

Momentum appears to have swung New York's way in the best-of-seven series. After Philadelphia had won the opener in the Bronx, New York levelled matters in the second match on their home turf.

The onus is on Philadelphia to try to establish a 3-2 lead over the next two days before the series returns to Yankee Stadium.

After pitching had dominated the first two games, both sets of hitters came out with guns blazing in an entertaining contest - which nevertheless had a bitter sting in the tail for the home fans.

Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte came under pressure as the Phillies forged their early lead, but it was squandered when Cole Hamels got targeted by Rodriguez and co - giving up five runs in two innings to be relieved after the fifth.

It was a tough night for Philadelphia pitcher Cole Hamels

New York's next starting pitcher is the excellent CC Sabathia, coming off three days' rest, with Joe Blanton the man selected by Philadelphia.

Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel said it was time for the defending champions to improve their hitting.

Lead-off hitter Jimmy Rollins is averaging .200, Shane Victorino, second in the batting order, is .182, while Ryan Howard, who hit two homers and drove in 15 runs in the first two play-off series, went 0-for-4 on Saturday to drop his World Series batting average to .154.

Manuel said: "We could come out on Sunday and score runs. We're definitely capable of putting runs on the board. It's just a matter of time. We've got to come out with the idea that we're going to get them tomorrow."