The Yankees began their post-2000 All-Star break with a series split against the then-Florida Marlins in the Bronx before beginning another interleague series with the Philadelphia Phillies. The first game was about as exciting as any game can get, with the Yankees eventually walking off the Phils in 10 innings after a pair of wild rallies.

Heading into the middle contest of the three-game series with David Cone on the mound, the Yankees looked to win their third of their first four games back in their hopes to finally separate themselves from the pack in the American League East.

July 17: Yankees 8, Phillies 10 (box score)

Record: 47-40 (0.5 GA in AL East)

Nine years before the Phillies and Yankees would meet in the World Series, the Terry Francona-led Phils finished as one of the worst teams in the National League, while the Yankees were searching for their third World Series title in a row. But their series in the middle of July in 2000 certainly provided some excellent entertainment. With a walk-off win by the Yankees in game one, there was bound to be more fireworks.

Both Cone and Phillies starter Dave Coggin pitched perfect first innings, but first blood was drawn by the Phillies when Mike Lieberthal smashed a two-run home run in the top of the second following a walk from Scott Rolen. The Yankees had a look at tying the game with the bases loaded in the bottom half of the inning, but they were not able to convert, and the Phillies dodged the danger momentarily.

Cone bounced back in the top of the third, pitching another one-two-three inning, and the Yankees’ offense tied the game up. Coggin worked two straight outs to begin the home-half of the third, but three consecutive walks to Paul O’Neill, Bernie Williams, and David Justice brought Tino Martinez to the plate. A single to right scored two runs, including one from Williams that injured Lieberthal on the slide into home.

However, following the inning the Yankees needed both from their pitcher and the offense, Cone fell back to where he had been throughout the 2000 season — in a muck. Future brilliant Yankees trade pickup Bobby Abreu smoked a double to right field, and Rolen singled, putting Abreu on third. Tom Prince pinch-hit for Lieberthal and who drove in Abreu to take the lead. Then, former No. 1 overall pick Pat Burrell added a three-run home run for Philadelphia, making the score 6-2 in favor of the visitors.

After Jeter flew out to start the bottom of the fifth, O’Neill smacked a solo home run to make the score 6-3 in favor of the Phillies. Then, after a Williams walk and a Justice single, it was Martinez again who drove in a run for the Yankees, putting the Yankees two runs back for the second time in the game.

Jason Grimsley took over for Cone in the top of the sixth inning and worked a one-two-three frame. Mark Brownson did the same for the Phils, and soon, Francona’s club added their insurance runs back. Grimsley hit the leadoff batter and saw two singles from Doug Glanville and Kevin Sefcik load the bases. Abreu, who had been around the offense all night, smoked a 2-0 pitch over the right-field wall for a decisive grand slam, making it a 10-4 ballgame.

From the bottom of the seventh inning to the bottom of the ninth, Martinez added a couple more RBIs, smashing a solo shot in the latter as well. The Yankees got the tying run to the plate in the form of Chuck Knoblauch, but his fly out to deep right wasn’t enough; the Yankees lost the game, 10-8.

Read the full 2000 Yankees Diary series here.