Although they lost Game 5 in Philadelphia on Monday, they need to win one of the next two games at home to claim their unprecedented 27th World Series title.

"It beats playing the last two here," said Johnny Damon, who singled to bring the tying run to the plate for a second time in the ninth inning of Monday's 8-6 loss to the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

"We're OK. Obviously we wish we could have won tonight. It didn't happen, (but) the mood's fine. We understand we have a very good chance and hopefully can take care of it (in Game 6) Wednesday."

The Yankees expect to send Andy Pettitte to the mound on three days' rest against Pedro Martinez in Game 6. Manager Joe Girardi, however, remained non-committal, pending a conversation with Pettitte at Tuesday's workout to judge his physical condition. Pettitte threw a side session Monday.

"We're always confident with Andy pitching," said Derek Jeter, who grounded into a double play with runners at first and third with no outs in the ninth, representing the tying run. "He's got a job to do. We also have a job to do.

"We have a good feeling. We came here, a tough place to play, and won a couple games. Now we get the opportunity to go back home and play Game 6."

Essentially, all the Yankees have to do is prevent a three-game losing streak.

But the Yankees, despite their 103-59 regular season record (and 10-4 mark in the postseason) did lose three or more games in succession seven times this season, most recently Sept. 30-Oct. 3 when they lost a game to Kansas City and two games at Tampa Bay.

"Obviously, we wanted it wrapped up tonight," said Brett Gardner, replacing injured Melky Cabrera in center field. "But to come here and win two out of three — that's what we hoped for. So, we're up 3-2 going home and looking forward to Wednesday."

Damon liked the way the Yankees battled back from an 8-2 eighth-inning deficit against Cliff Lee and had Philadelphia closer Ryan Madson on the ropes in the ninth.

"It seems like some of the guys found their swings," Damon said. "It was a positive last two innings for us."

Mark Teixeira, who doubled against Lee in the eighth, saw some positives.

"Give us some credit," he said. "we scored five runs off (Lee) and really battled against the hottest pitcher in baseball."

Reliever Phil Coke, who gave up solo homers to Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez, will be among those seeking a bit of redemption.

"I'm pretty embarrassed," Coke said. "Those runs ended up being the difference. But there's only one way to go about this game — that's to go out and get 'em tomorrow."

Outfielder Nick Swisher concurred.

"We'll have a quick ride home, work out (Tuesday) and we'll get ready to go. The great thing about this team is we keep battling. Nothing gets in our way."

Enlarge By Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Johnny Damon grounds out to first, breaking his bat but driving in a run in the Yankees' 8-6 loss to the Phillies in Game 5. "The mood is fine," Damon said after the game.