A Philadelphia newspaper apologized to readers for mistakenly running an ad congratulating the Philadelphia Phillies on winning back-to-back World Series titles.

Following their stunning rally in the ninth inning and 7-4 victory Sunday, the New York Yankees held a 3-1 lead in the World Series on Monday, when the ad ran in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The three-quarter-page Macy’s ad is on the back of the front section and features a T-shirt with the Phillies logo, the commissioner’s trophy and the phrase “Back To Back World Series Champions.”

The Inquirer released a message to readers saying the paper deeply regrets the error.

Meetings on the mound

All those meetings on the mound called by catcher Jorge Posada and the New York Yankees are giving Major League Baseball pause, too.

Posada and pals visited pitcher CC Sabathia eight times — in a single inning — on Sunday, grinding Game 4 of the World Series to a standstill. Agitated Phillies fans booed each trip.

Baseball has tried speed up rules and guidelines in recent years, with varying results. Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon was fined a few times this season and even had a ball called on him for taking too long to pitch. Hitters are encouraged to stay in the batter’s box.

One trip to the mound is allowed per inning – by a manager or coach – before a pitcher must be pulled. There is no limit, however, on players-only meetings.

The Yankees held six in the first inning of Game 4. Then came eight more – four alone with Jayson Werth hitting – in the fifth. Damaso Marte relieved Sabathia in the seventh. After two pitches, Posada made the 60-foot, 6-inch trudge yet again.

Sabathia wound up striking out Werth with two runners on. Perhaps the Phillies could have used a meeting to figure out who covers third base if Johnny Damon steals second against an overshifted infield.

Short hops

Injured outfielder Melky Cabrera has been replaced by backup infielder Ramiro Peña on the Yankees’ World Series roster. Cabrera left the Yankees’ win in Game 4 in the middle of the sixth inning with a slightly strained left hamstring. … Sunday night’s Game 4 was the highest-rated World Series game in five years, drawing a 13.5 fast national rating and 22 share on Fox. That’s up 45 percent from last year’s Phillies-Rays Game 4. Fox said it’s the best rating for any World Series game since 2004 when the Red Sox ended their 86-year championship drought in Game 4. …New York Mets right fielder Jeff Francoeur underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb and is expected to be ready for spring training. …The San Francisco Giants have promoted Triple-A hitting coach Hensley “Bam Bam” Meulens to the major league club. Meulens replaces Carney Lansford.