Friday, May 31, 2013
Yanks Get Swept Away
By Rich Mancuso
BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 31- For the first time since the inter league Subway Series started in 1997 with the two New York baseball teams, the Mets swept the cross-town rival Yankees with a 3-1 win Thursday night in the Bronx. The home-and-home series of four games that started in Flushing Queens Monday night concluded in the Bronx with two more games at Yankee Stadium
And for the Mets, a team that had been struggling, the series brought out the best in them with good pitching, timely hitting, and they left the Bronx with a season high five-game winning streak.
The Yankees, on the other hand, are the New York team now in a struggle. They lost their fifth straight, a season high and get ready for division rival Boston for the start of a three-game series that begins Friday evening at Yankee Stadium.
“When you play 162-games you are going to go through these things,” commented Yankees manager Joe Girardi. It is the longest season losing streak under Girardi as manager and the Yankees have now dropped seven of their last nine games.
The Mets streak matched their longest of the last two seasons. They came to the Bronx and picked up where they left off in Queens. That included getting in front early and outstanding pitching.
Thursday night, it was Dillon Gee who quieted the Yankees lineup that suddenly seems vulnerable to the strikeout, as they await the return of first baseman Mark Teixiera and third baseman Kevin Youkillis.
Both continued to rehab with appearances Thursday at Double-A Trenton. They went 1-for-3 against Erie, played seven innings and could be activated this weekend during the Boston series.
But the way, Gee, the Mets’ right hander pitched Thursday night it was hard to get hold of his fastball and changeup. He got his second win in the month of May, the other coming the first of the month against the Marlins. More importantly, Gee needed to step up as his spot in the Mets rotation is in jeopardy with the arrival soon of rookie prospect Zach Wheeler.
Gee struck out a career-high 12, in 7.1 innings, walked none and after a one-out home run ball to Robinson Cano, he retried his last 15 batters. It was his longest outing since going 6/1-3 innings after having shoulder surgery last July to remove a blood clot from his pitching shoulder.
Mets pitchers in the last three games did not issue a walk which also tied a franchise record done three previous times.
“Obviously it’s fun to be out there and pitch, like that,” commented Gee. “Tonight was to be aggressive as possible and force contact and be the guy to control the game.
Gee, (3-6) admitted he had no idea that his pitch count was at 88-pitches and that he had amounted a career high in strike outs until he left the mound. Collins told him good job, and it was not done for precaution. The situation with Robinson Cano due up in the inning had more to do with it.
Regardless, the Yankees had no idea how to attack Gee. And in three of the four games with their cross-town rivals, they were held to one-run.
Girardi said it was no fun the past four games. Losing will do that, so will a five-game losing streak. “Up until these first five games we have been winning a lot of series,” he said.
The optimism was the quality start from left hander Vidal Numo. He made a cause to stay in the Yankees rotation when Andy Pettitte returns from the 15-day disabled list. Pettitte threw 76 pitches in a simulated game Tuesday down in Tampa.
Nuno,(1-2) limited the Mets to 3-hits and two earned runs. He tossed a career high 6.0 innings for the second straight start, retiring 15 of the final 16 batters he faced and did not allow a hit after a double by Anthony Recker in the second inning.
The tenth Yankees rookie pitcher to make a start in the S ubway Series, Nuno was touched for two runs in the second inning. Marlon Byrd hit his second home run in as many days, his sixth of the season that gave the Mets another early inning lead in the four game series.
“It’s hard to lose to your cross-town rivals but it happens,” said Girardi.
Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Bronx News Sports: Bronx Massacre
Bronx News Sports: Bronx Massacre: Mets Beat Up on Yanks in Bx. By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 30- On Wednesday, the scene of the Subway Series shifted...
Bronx Massacre
Mets Beat Up on Yanks in Bx.
BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 30- On Wednesday, the scene of the Subway Series shifted to Yankee Stadium but the results were the same.
A third consecutive pitchers’ duel did not take place as the Mets batters very quickly realized they were in a different atmosphere than at pitching friendly Citi Field.
Yankees hurler David Phelps was only able to retire one of the eight batters he faced in the first inning. Three singles, a double, two walks and an error by third sacker Jayson Nix accounted for five runs and an early shower for Phelps. Reliever Preston Claiborne ended the carnage by retiring the next two batters.
Mets skipper Terry Collins told reporters of the importance of that inning for his club, “[There were] some great at bats in the first inning. That took a lot of heat off Hef[ner] and gave him a chance to pitch his game.”
The outcome was determined by the first eight batters in the game, but the game continued for eight more innings. Marlon Byrd hit a solo homer to right in the third. Lucas Duda doubled in two runs in the fourth, which gave the Mets an insurmountable 8-0 advantage.
Although each team registered 12 hits, in the final score the Mets were ahead by five runs, 9-4. The nine runs were the highest the Mets have scored in one game since April 12, when they scored 16.
The performances of several players were important to their immediate futures and to their teams’ success this season. The Mets had lost all nine of Jeremy Hefner’s starts this year. The native of Oklahoma recorded his first victory of 2012 by pitching six effective innings. He attributed the key to his success to “pitching effectively inside.” He expressed his excitement in starting at Yankee Stadium. “You watch the Yankees on TV wherever you live. Pitching here is cool.”
Ike Davis was another hero of the game who needed a strong showing to remain in the majors. In his previous 16 games, Davis was 4 for 53 for a batting average of .053 with 24 strikeouts. Davis knocked Phelps from the game with a two-run single. He also singled again later in the game.
Collins spoke with feeling and praise for the beleaguered first baseman, “You have to root for him. He’s a tremendous guy. To get him started is a huge boost. If he’s moving forward, we’ll be a better team.”
Yankees hurler Ivan Nova, after a month on the disabled list, made his second relief appearance since April of 2011. He pitched five innings, perhaps in preparation for a future start. Nova gave up one run in his final inning. He yielded only five hits and a walk while fanning six. His control was excellent as 46 of his 61 pitches were strikes.
Yankee manager Joe Girardi remarked, “He threw the ball well tonight and that’s encouraging.”
The Mets will attempt to sweep the four games by starting Dillon Gee (2-6) on Thursday evening. The Yanks will attempt to stop the seep with rookie Vidal Nuño (1-1).
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Bronx News Sports: Mets honor ‘Mo’
Bronx News Sports: Mets honor ‘Mo’: By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 29- Mariano Rivera has had many memories in Flushing Queens as a New York Yankee. Since the in...
Mets honor ‘Mo’
By Rich Mancuso
BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 29- Mariano Rivera has had many memories in Flushing Queens as a New York Yankee. Since the inception of the Subway Series between the Yankees and cross-town Mets, the all-time saves leader in baseball, who is retiring after this season, closed many games on the mound at Shea Stadium and Citi Field.
Baseball teams around the country have been paying tribute to Rivera this season with various ways of honoring the Panamanian native. Tuesday evening, prior to the second game of the four-game Subway Series at Citi Field, Rivera threw out the first pitch via an invite from Mets Chief Operating Officer Fred Wilpon.
It was only appropriate, because Rivera is more than a Yankee. To many, he has represented baseball well and in New York Rivera has become a baseball icon even as he wore pinstripes.
Wilpon, along with New York City Fire Department Commissioner Sal Cassano presented Rivera with a mounted hose nozzle from a FDNY truck and an authentic call box.
The call to the pen has made Rivera the all-time saves leader, and coming into the game Tuesday night he was one game away from surpassing Dennis Eckersley for sole possession of fourth place on baseball’s all-time games pitched list which stands at 1,071.
“Mariano,” commented Wilpon, “we’ve watched you for so many years. It’s a great honor to have you here for the last time. I wish we could see you in the World Series but I’m not sure that is going to happen.”
In the final game of the 2009 Subway Series at Citi Field, Rivera recorded his 500th career save and he threw the final pitch of the 2000 World Series at Shea Stadium won by the Yankees.
And the way the 2013 season is transpiring for the Mets it most likely won’t happen that Rivera will meet the Mets again. This is probably not the last time Rivera will be at Citi Field this season as he makes another visit as a member of the American League All-Star team at the Mid-Summer classic on Tuesday evening July 16th.
Rivera smiled and said to Wilpon, “You never know,” about the Wilpon World Series reference.
“It will be my last game here,” he said. “It has been a great career and I have enjoyed every game that I have played here. I’ve saved some games and I have blown some games here. Overall, it has been wonderful.”
The FDNY tribute was appropriate. Rivera has been tabbed as the greatest “Fireman of all-time.” Mets all-time closer John Franco, 276 saves, was behind home plate and caught the ceremonial first pitch thrown by Rivera.
e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com
Bronx News Sports: Deja Vu All Over Again
Bronx News Sports: Deja Vu All Over Again: Mets Beat Yanks 2-1 By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 29- Game #2 of the Subway Series on Tuesday night was delayed for 1...
Deja Vu All Over Again
Mets Beat Yanks 2-1
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 29- Game #2 of the Subway Series on Tuesday night was delayed for 1 hour and 31 minutes by heavy showers, but there was never an intention to postpone the contest.
A phalanx of camera operators was gathered behind home plate to capture the ceremonial first pitch. Mariano Rivera, the premier closer in baseball history, was being honored on the occasion of his final game at Citi Field by tossing the ball to John Franco, the finest closer in Mets history.
Pitching continued to be in the spotlight when the regular season game began. Starters Hiroki Kuroda and Matt Harvey have, thus far, been the aces of their staffs. The possibility of a perfect game or a no-hitter by either hurler was eliminated early in the game.
The second Met batter in the game, Daniel Murphy, singled to right. The hit was the 24th in his previous 60 at bats, .400, for the hot hitting infielder. Yankee shortstop Reid Brigniac led off the third with a single to right, his first hit as a Yankee.
Although the pitching of the two starters was not perfect, it is only fair to state it was excellent. In a replica of the game of the night before, neither team scored during the first five frames.
As also took place on the night before, the Yankees scored their only run of the game in the top of the sixth. Another similarity was that both run scoring rallies were begun by a base hit by Brett Gardner. On Wednesday, Gardner singled and went to second on an error by rightfielder Marlon Byrd. A single by Lyle Overbay drove Gardner across the plate.
Of the hit by Overbay, Mets manager Terry Collins remarked, “He [Harvey] made a mistake and it cost him.”
After the game, Harvey agreed, “as soon as I let it go, I wanted to take it back.”
Although both starting pitchers pitched well enough to earn the win, they were not involved in the decision. Kuroda pitched seven innings, allowed no runs, walked no batters, gave up only four singles and fanned seven. Harvey, Kuroda’s junior by 14 years, pitched equally well. He yielded six hits, all singles, fanned 10 and did not issue a base on balls, but did give up one run in the sixth.
This season, the 24 year-old has compiled superlative stats, 5-0 won/loss mark, 1.85 ERA, opponents’ batting average of 1.72, 9.7 strikeouts per 9 innings. Smiling, Collins commented, “He’s really going to be fun to watch in the years to come.”
The outcome was determined in a strikingly similar manner to the game the day before. The victim was not reliever David Robertson but surprisingly was the seemingly prefect closer Mariano Rivera. With a 1-0 lead in the ninth and Rivera going for his 19th consecutive save of the season, ran into trouble. In only nine pitches, Daniel Murphy, David Wright and Lucas Duda got consecutive hits to score two runs. Rivera admitted, “It did happen quick.” The humble baseball great took the responsibility, “There’s no excuse. Kuroda pitched an excellent game. For me to do that is unacceptable.”
The final two games of this year’s Subway Series now shift to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Two righties will face off on Wednesday night. David Phelps (3-2) will start for the Yanks against winless Jeremy Hefner (0-5) for the Mets.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Mets Edge Yanks, 2-1, in Subway Series Opener
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 28- The Subway Series kicked off its 17th consecutive year on Monday night at Citi Field with an exciting pitchers’ duel. Unlike the schedule of previous seasons, the two New York teams will play two consecutive two-game series this week, Monday and Tuesday in Queens and Wednesday and Thursday in the Bronx.
The ceremonial first pitch appropriately saluted veterans on Memorial Day and the Mets in their home ballpark as Joey Falcone, a Columbia student and Navy veteran, tossed the ball to his dad, Pete Falcone, a former Mets hurler.
The two starting pitchers, Phil Hughes of the Yanks and Jonathan Niese of the Mets, did not allow a runner to cross the plate during the first five innings. One baserunner for each team reached third base during that period.
David Wright tripled with two out in the first. With one out in the top of the second, David Adams and Ichiro Suzuki singled. Lyle Overbay drew a base on balls to fill the sacks for the Yanks. Catcher Chris Stewart grounded into a double play to end the rally.
The first single tally for each club came quickly. Brett Gardner began the sixth with a triple to deep center. The next batter, Jayson Nix, singled to score Gardner. It appeared that Gardner would be the game’s star as he robbed Daniel Murphy of a two-run homer with an outstanding catch above the 385’ sign in center in the bottom of that inning, but the hero’s mantle would be placed elsewhere before the game concluded.
David Wright blasted a 2-2 pitch into the left field seats to lead-off the seventh and tie the contest at 1-1. Mets manager Terry Collins spoke of his team’s captain, “Big players make big plays [and] that’s why he’s the captain.” Yankees skipper Joe Girardi was no less impressed by Wright than Collins was, “He’s a superstar and he put a superstar at bat on him [Hughes].”
The impressive pitchers’ duel between the two starters ended in the eighth as both starters departed at the conclusion of the seventh frame. In addition to the one earned run, Niese yielded eight hits and walked one batter. Collins praised his starter, “He gave up some hits but got outs when he needed them.” Besides the four bagger hit by Wright, Hughes only gave up three hits and did not walk a batter.
The Mets broke the tie in the bottom of the eighth with reliever David Robertson on the mound. With runners on first and third, and two men out, Murphy drove in the winning run with a single to center. The hot hitting outfielder is batting .373 (23 for 59) in his last 15 games.
Mets closer Bobby Parnell converted his sixth straight save opportunity by shutting down the Yanks in the ninth. Collins believed this performance was a turning point for Parnell, “I think he’s come of age for sure. He hasn’t pitched in a game like tonight. I think he’s going to be good for a long time.”
The second of the two games in Queens will feature another potential pitchers’ duel between Hiroki Kuroda (6-3) of the Yanks and undefeated Matt Harvey (5-0) of the Mets.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Soccer Showdown at Yankee Stadium
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 26-Two of the major powers of the English Premier League, Chelsea FC and Manchester City FC, clashed on the pitch of Yankee Stadium on Saturday evening. The teams have met many times in their more than 100 years of history.
Their latest encounter before Saturday’s game was two days earlier at a sold-out Busch Stadium in St. Louis. In that exciting meeting, Manchester City came back from a 3-0 deficit to capture the friendly by a 4-3 margin.
Neither world-renowned football club is a stranger to the New York area. City faced the Red Bulls in 2010. Chelsea participated in the first soccer match at the current Yankee Stadium last year, when they defeated PSG (Paris Saint Germain).
Earlier in the week, a partnership between Manchester City and the Yankees was announced. The two highly successful century old sports organizations will work together, with City being the majority owner, to operate the newest team in the MLS (Major League Soccer), the New York FC. Although a home stadium has yet to be determined, the team will begin play during the 2015 season.
On the day of the match, the 161 BID (Business Improvement District), under the direction of its director, Dr. Cary Goodman, tried to make the neighborhood businesses especially accommodating to the international visitors. Several area sports bars gave a total of 400 sky blue commemorative mini-soccer balls to its patrons on Saturday. On behalf of the businesses, Goodman remarked, “We want everyone to enjoy this great soccer match. These are two great teams, representing two great soccer traditions. It should be great.”
Directly prior to the English match, all the fans in the stadium that arrived early had the opportunity to watch live coverage on the gant screen in centerfield of the 2013 UEFA Champions League championship from Wembley Stadium that was captured by Bayern Munich over Borussia Dortmund, 2-1. Members of Chelsea, had particular interest in viewing the match as they were victorious over Bayern in the 2012 title tilt.
Despite the cold, (58 degrees), windy, (22 mph, gusting to 35) and rainy afternoon in the Bronx, 39,465 purchased tickets to the match. The crowd exceeded in size the crowd who saw Chelsea in 2012 and the attendance at 14 of the 24 home games of the Yankees this season. These figures demonstrate that world class soccer can be taken seriously as a spectator sport in the United States.
As in their game on Thursday, there was no dearth of goals scored by the two English sides at the friendly in the Bronx. Manchester continued its superior play of Thursday by netting the only two goals of the first half. Midfielder Gareth Barry scored at the three minute mark and was followed by Samir Nasri 26 minutes later. City goaltender Joe Hart, who will be joining the English National Team upon his return home, stopped all five Chelsea shots on goal.
The two sides alternated goals in the second half. Ramires, the Brazilin midfielder, scored the first two for Chelsea. The third was scored on a free kick by Spain’s striker Juan Mata at the 82 minute mark.
A native of each of three European nations scored a goal in the second half for Manchester. France’s Nasri made his second score of the match, England’s James Milner and Bosnian Edin Dzeko each scored.
It was announced on the day of the match that Chelsea will return to the U.S. in the summer to participate in the Inaugural Guinness International Champion’s Cup with seven other world renowned sides, A.C. Milan, Inter, Juventus, Real Madrid, Valencia, Everton, and L.A. Galaxy.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Bronx News Sports: Monroe Track Takes Home National Bling
Bronx News Sports: Monroe Track Takes Home National Bling: By Gary Axelbank BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 20- Three of the brightest stars in the Monroe Mustangs track and field constellation took ...
Monroe Track Takes Home National Bling
By Gary Axelbank
BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 20- Three of the brightest stars in the Monroe Mustangs track and field constellation took home some impressive jewelry at the 2013 NJCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships held this past weekend at Gowans Stadium in Hutchinson, KS.
Lithuanian sophomore Tautvydas 'TK' Kieras won his second straight national discus championship, Sengalese freshman Mamadou Gueye finished second in the long jump and third in the triple jump, and Colombian sophomore Francisco Escobar took fourth in the pole vault. Those remarkable achievements helped propel the Mustangs men's team to a sixth place overall finish in the Nationals out of 36 teams. They also finished sixth at the Indoor Nationals in March.
"We did great this weekend," said head coach Mark Goodman. "Those three athletes exemplify the best of the Mustangs. They are quality citizens, excellent students, and in the biggest showcase of the year, performed better than almost everyone in the nation. Actually, we had some opportunities to score points that didn't pan out and when I look at the final team standings it's clear that we are becoming one of the premier track programs in the NJCAA."
TK's performance was an example of a true champion rising to the occiasion. Out of his six throws, he had fouled on three of them and he was rooted at the fifth spot going into his final throw. But just as he did when he won the national title in 2012, his final toss won him the 2013 championship. His 51.98m was actually well below his own customary distance, but it was unsurpassed at this meet, earning him two national titles in his two years at Monroe.
"TK is a champion, no doubt about it," Coach Goodman said. "He practices diligently and everything he does, from his diet, to his leisure activities, to his mental fitness, to his willingness to improve at his sport, fueled his achievements at Monroe."
Kieras will bring his gold medals with him when he continues his college career at Mississippi State in the fall.
Gueye's performance over the weekend was no less remarkable. Beset with painful tendinitis, his coaches urged him to ease up in the more grueling triple jump to save his knees for the long jump on Saturday. But once he hit the runway on Friday morning, his competitive spirit took over and he made it clear to jumping coach Rachel Cassata that he could not triple jump without trying to win. His 52'3" was good for third.
On Saturday, as he limped around the track during warmups, no one could think they were looking at the future silver medalist. But indeed, he jumped 25' 1/2" and took second. He had won the triple jump at the indoor nationals in March, and was second in the long jump, there too.
Though Escobar's story is laced with glory off the field, he will tell you that it's his sport that is the source of all his accomplishments, including winning the Mr. World title in the fall, and completing his studies at Monroe with a 3.8 GPA. At the Nationals on Saturday morning he jumped 14'7", taking fourth in the process.
In other action, the men's 4x400m relay team (Antione Davis, Joshua Blango, Damion Walker, Joel Johnson) ran 3:13.57 in the final race of the long weekend, simultaneously taking sixth place and moving the Mustangs from a ninth-place team finish, to sixth. It is noteworthy that in the semifinals on Friday they set a school record, running 3:12.96.
In addition to running the 4x400m, Blango qualified for three races on Saturday. He also did the 110m hurdles (14.33, 14.14 in the semis) and 400m hurdles, where he had a fifth place finish, but was DQ'd for hooking a hurdle.
In the 100m dash, Suwaibou Sanneh ran a fast 10.3 in Saturday's finals, finishing sixth. On Friday he qualified with an even faster 10.19.
Johnson set a school record on Friday in the 400m dash, running 48.62.
Monroe had a difficult moment on Friday as high hopes were dashed in the men's 4x100m when the first and second legs mishandled the baton and dropped it. As a result, Monroe was DQ'd and did not get a chance to follow-up their Penn Pelays championship.
The women's 4x100m (Manaiza Kelley, Melika Lewis, Shanice Cameron, Tyra Jamison) finished ninth with a school record time of 47.11, just missing the cut for the finals.
Dennisha Frazier competed in the high jump and the long jump.
"When I look back at this long season, we had our largest-ever cross country team go to the nationals, we finished sixth in the indoor and our indoor women's 4x400m relay was at the All-american level, and we were quite successful at outdoors, too, " said Coach Goodman. "We'll rest for a split second and then go back at putting together another quality team for next year."
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Yanks-Blue Jays Rained Out
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 19- For the first time during the 2013 season, a game at Yankee Stadium was postponed because of inclement weather. An early morning rain that was expected to continue throughout the day caused the postponement of the final game of the current Yankees homestand.
The rare pitching matchup scheduled for Sunday afternoon appeared fully capable of providing excitement for the attending fans. C.C. Sabathia (A.L.-2007) and R.A. Dickey(N.L.-2012), would have been the fifth combo of starting former Cy Young Award winners in a contest at the current Yankee Stadium Sabathia faced a former Cy Young recipient, “King” Felix Hernandez of the Mariners in his last start five days ago. Dickey would have been the 11th Cy Young Award winner to start against Sabathia.
The Blue Jays, losers of their last nine games at Yankee Stadium, were glad to be returning home to Toronto. They will face Tampa on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Yankees will travel to Baltimore for a three game series that will begin on Monday night. Sabathia will be in the starting role on Monday.
A make-up date for the washed-out contest was not announced, but will most likely occur in the late summer as the Blue Jays return to the Bronx for a three game set on August 20-22.
BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 19- For the first time during the 2013 season, a game at Yankee Stadium was postponed because of inclement weather. An early morning rain that was expected to continue throughout the day caused the postponement of the final game of the current Yankees homestand.
The rare pitching matchup scheduled for Sunday afternoon appeared fully capable of providing excitement for the attending fans. C.C. Sabathia (A.L.-2007) and R.A. Dickey(N.L.-2012), would have been the fifth combo of starting former Cy Young Award winners in a contest at the current Yankee Stadium Sabathia faced a former Cy Young recipient, “King” Felix Hernandez of the Mariners in his last start five days ago. Dickey would have been the 11th Cy Young Award winner to start against Sabathia.
The Blue Jays, losers of their last nine games at Yankee Stadium, were glad to be returning home to Toronto. They will face Tampa on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Yankees will travel to Baltimore for a three game series that will begin on Monday night. Sabathia will be in the starting role on Monday.
A make-up date for the washed-out contest was not announced, but will most likely occur in the late summer as the Blue Jays return to the Bronx for a three game set on August 20-22.
Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Itchin' to Stay Pitchin'
Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Itchin' to Stay Pitchin': Phelps and Cano lead the way in Yankees win over Blue Jays By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 19- David Phelps came out of the New Yo...
Bronx News Sports: Itchin' to Stay Pitchin'
Bronx News Sports: Itchin' to Stay Pitchin': Phelps and Cano lead the way in Yankees win over Blue Jays By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 19- David Phelps came out of the New Yor...
Itchin' to Stay Pitchin'
Phelps and Cano lead the way in Yankees win over Blue Jays
By Rich Mancuso
BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 19- David Phelps came out of the New York Yankees bullpen and put into a temporary starting role for the injured Ivan Nova. Manager Joe Girardi, who has depended on various replacements because of the walking wounded in pinstripes, may want to retain Phelps as a starter after his latest outing Saturday afternoon in the Bronx.
Phelps, in his fourth start for the injured Nova, struck out eight and threw a season-high seven innings as the Yankees defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 7-2 at Yankee Stadium, their ninth straight win over the struggling Jays in the Bronx. New York goes for a sweep of the three-game series Sunday afternoon with left hander CC Sabathia (4-3) getting the start
Phelps, (2-2) earned his first win as a starter this season. He was dominant and Toronto had trouble getting runs home. That started in the first inning when the right hander picked off Jose Bautista at second and struck out J.P. Arencibia to conclude an inning that appeared to be trouble.
And in the third inning, Phelps with runners on first and second induced Melky Cabrera to ground into a double play with no score in the game. Simply put, the Blue Jays could not mount a rally, and Phlelps continued to make a statement to his manager.
“He’s faced two tough lineups his last two starts, that’s not easy to do,” commented Girardi. He was referring to Phelps’ last outing at Cleveland on Monday, the Yankees’ game one loss of two where Phelps allowed one-run in 6.2 innings in a 1-0 loss.
Girardi added, about his replacement starter, important also because of Andy Pettitte put on the 15-day disabled list, “It’s not easy to do. He continues to make strides. We always envisioned him as a starter. We like what he is doing.”
And, there is every reason to envision Phelps staying around. Nova is not expected back anytime soon. The Yankees bullpen would benefit with the addition again of Phelps, but seems to be doing fine having had a stretch of 28.0 consecutive scoreless innings snapped Wednesday night in a loss to Seattle.
“I was making pitches when I needed to, “said Phelps. “I was all over the place today." Besides giving up six hits, he walked three. He added, “I will do everything I can to stay here and help this team win.”
He alluded to a Yankees team that has been hindered with injuries, and with viable replacements that have been doing the job, which is good enough for their ninth win in their last 12 games and first place in the American League East.
“A lot have picked us to be last, but this has been a group effort in this clubhouse,” he said. “I would like to continue to be a part of this here.”
The Yankees used the long ball again. Robinson Cano recorded his 12th career multi-home run game and Travis Hafner homered in his first game since Monday at Cleveland after missing the last five games with right shoulder inflammation.
“He makes everyone that much better,” commented Girardi about Cano who hit his 11th and 12th home runs in the third and fifth innings off losing pitcher Brandon Morrow (1-3). Both were hit with one-on and two-out.
It was the second loss in two starts this season for Morrow against the Yankees. On April 19 at the Rogers Centre up in Toronto, the Yankees tagged him for seven runs and nine hits in a 9-4 loss. This time it was Cano who did the damage.
Enough damage for Morrow to say, “New York’s Robinson Cano, he was the whole ballgame.”
Cano, ahead of his home run pace of last year commented, “That was a good game.” Yes it was for him, and the injury free second baseman was asked about taking a leadership role with the younger guys filling the void.
“That’s not the kind of thing in my mind right now. Right now the focus is just to win games.” And the way Cano is hitting the long ball and with Phelps filling the void as well, the Yankees could be winning a lot more ballgames.
Comment: Rich Mancuso- Ring786@aol.com
By Rich Mancuso
BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 19- David Phelps came out of the New York Yankees bullpen and put into a temporary starting role for the injured Ivan Nova. Manager Joe Girardi, who has depended on various replacements because of the walking wounded in pinstripes, may want to retain Phelps as a starter after his latest outing Saturday afternoon in the Bronx.
Phelps, in his fourth start for the injured Nova, struck out eight and threw a season-high seven innings as the Yankees defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 7-2 at Yankee Stadium, their ninth straight win over the struggling Jays in the Bronx. New York goes for a sweep of the three-game series Sunday afternoon with left hander CC Sabathia (4-3) getting the start
Phelps, (2-2) earned his first win as a starter this season. He was dominant and Toronto had trouble getting runs home. That started in the first inning when the right hander picked off Jose Bautista at second and struck out J.P. Arencibia to conclude an inning that appeared to be trouble.
And in the third inning, Phelps with runners on first and second induced Melky Cabrera to ground into a double play with no score in the game. Simply put, the Blue Jays could not mount a rally, and Phlelps continued to make a statement to his manager.
“He’s faced two tough lineups his last two starts, that’s not easy to do,” commented Girardi. He was referring to Phelps’ last outing at Cleveland on Monday, the Yankees’ game one loss of two where Phelps allowed one-run in 6.2 innings in a 1-0 loss.
Girardi added, about his replacement starter, important also because of Andy Pettitte put on the 15-day disabled list, “It’s not easy to do. He continues to make strides. We always envisioned him as a starter. We like what he is doing.”
And, there is every reason to envision Phelps staying around. Nova is not expected back anytime soon. The Yankees bullpen would benefit with the addition again of Phelps, but seems to be doing fine having had a stretch of 28.0 consecutive scoreless innings snapped Wednesday night in a loss to Seattle.
“I was making pitches when I needed to, “said Phelps. “I was all over the place today." Besides giving up six hits, he walked three. He added, “I will do everything I can to stay here and help this team win.”
He alluded to a Yankees team that has been hindered with injuries, and with viable replacements that have been doing the job, which is good enough for their ninth win in their last 12 games and first place in the American League East.
“A lot have picked us to be last, but this has been a group effort in this clubhouse,” he said. “I would like to continue to be a part of this here.”
The Yankees used the long ball again. Robinson Cano recorded his 12th career multi-home run game and Travis Hafner homered in his first game since Monday at Cleveland after missing the last five games with right shoulder inflammation.
“He makes everyone that much better,” commented Girardi about Cano who hit his 11th and 12th home runs in the third and fifth innings off losing pitcher Brandon Morrow (1-3). Both were hit with one-on and two-out.
It was the second loss in two starts this season for Morrow against the Yankees. On April 19 at the Rogers Centre up in Toronto, the Yankees tagged him for seven runs and nine hits in a 9-4 loss. This time it was Cano who did the damage.
Enough damage for Morrow to say, “New York’s Robinson Cano, he was the whole ballgame.”
Cano, ahead of his home run pace of last year commented, “That was a good game.” Yes it was for him, and the injury free second baseman was asked about taking a leadership role with the younger guys filling the void.
“That’s not the kind of thing in my mind right now. Right now the focus is just to win games.” And the way Cano is hitting the long ball and with Phelps filling the void as well, the Yankees could be winning a lot more ballgames.
Comment: Rich Mancuso- Ring786@aol.com
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Ain't that a Pitch!
Yankees Hurlers Shut Out Blue Jays, 5-0
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 18- The Yankees remained on top of the American League East standings after shutting out the Toronto Blue Jays, 5-0 in game #1 of a three-game weekend series. The outstanding performance of starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda was especially reassuring to Yankees fans as approximately one hour before the game began it was announced that veteran starting pitcher Andy Pettitte was being placed on the 15 day disabled list. Pettitte is the 13th Yankees player who has been on the DL this year.
Kuroda has been the most impressive of the Yankees starting rotation. The win on Friday night raised his record to 6-2. His ERA has fallen to a season low of 1.99. The native of Japan kept his opponent scoreless for the second time this year. Kuroda retired 23 of the 26 batters he faced, 16 of the final 17. He gave up only two hits and one walk in eight innings. Rookie Preston Claiborne completed the shutout by blanking the Blue Jays in the ninth although he did yield two hits. Claiborne has not given up a run in eight innings of relief in 2013. Coincidently, on the 15th anniversary of the perfect game pitched by David Wells, excellent pitching was the story for the Yankees.
Yankee manager Joe Girardi, obviously, expressed high praise for his starter, “He [Kuroda] was just really, really good. He had a very good fastball, a very good slider and a very good split. It’s nice whenever you don’t have to use your bullpen. He continues to impress us.”
Kuroda realized his pitches were effective early in the game, “Early in the first inning when I struck out [Edwin] Encarnación and [Jose] Bautista, I knew I was in a good position.” After surrendering a lead-off double to former Yankee Melky Cabrera, Kuroda fanned the next two batters.
The Yankees scored what proved to be the winning run after the first three batters in the game. Brett Gardner tripled off starter Mark Buehrle. Jayson Nix drew a base on balls. Robinson Cano’s ground out to second drove in the first tally of the game.
Yankee third sacker David Adams, playing in his third big league game, was successful at the plate. With a single and a double, he recorded his first multi-hit game. The last Yankee player to hit in each of his first three contests was Shelley Duncan in 2007. Adams scored his first runs in the majors after each of his hits. The young player said, “I’m blessed to be here. On days like this this [Yankee wins], it’s awesome.” Adams recognizes his role on the team, “I’m just trying to do my job, take some pressure off the big guys.”
David Phelps (1-2) will start for New York on Saturday afternoon against Brandon Morrow (1-2).
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 18- The Yankees remained on top of the American League East standings after shutting out the Toronto Blue Jays, 5-0 in game #1 of a three-game weekend series. The outstanding performance of starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda was especially reassuring to Yankees fans as approximately one hour before the game began it was announced that veteran starting pitcher Andy Pettitte was being placed on the 15 day disabled list. Pettitte is the 13th Yankees player who has been on the DL this year.
Kuroda has been the most impressive of the Yankees starting rotation. The win on Friday night raised his record to 6-2. His ERA has fallen to a season low of 1.99. The native of Japan kept his opponent scoreless for the second time this year. Kuroda retired 23 of the 26 batters he faced, 16 of the final 17. He gave up only two hits and one walk in eight innings. Rookie Preston Claiborne completed the shutout by blanking the Blue Jays in the ninth although he did yield two hits. Claiborne has not given up a run in eight innings of relief in 2013. Coincidently, on the 15th anniversary of the perfect game pitched by David Wells, excellent pitching was the story for the Yankees.
Yankee manager Joe Girardi, obviously, expressed high praise for his starter, “He [Kuroda] was just really, really good. He had a very good fastball, a very good slider and a very good split. It’s nice whenever you don’t have to use your bullpen. He continues to impress us.”
Kuroda realized his pitches were effective early in the game, “Early in the first inning when I struck out [Edwin] Encarnación and [Jose] Bautista, I knew I was in a good position.” After surrendering a lead-off double to former Yankee Melky Cabrera, Kuroda fanned the next two batters.
The Yankees scored what proved to be the winning run after the first three batters in the game. Brett Gardner tripled off starter Mark Buehrle. Jayson Nix drew a base on balls. Robinson Cano’s ground out to second drove in the first tally of the game.
Yankee third sacker David Adams, playing in his third big league game, was successful at the plate. With a single and a double, he recorded his first multi-hit game. The last Yankee player to hit in each of his first three contests was Shelley Duncan in 2007. Adams scored his first runs in the majors after each of his hits. The young player said, “I’m blessed to be here. On days like this this [Yankee wins], it’s awesome.” Adams recognizes his role on the team, “I’m just trying to do my job, take some pressure off the big guys.”
David Phelps (1-2) will start for New York on Saturday afternoon against Brandon Morrow (1-2).
Friday, May 17, 2013
Another Yankee Down?
More Yankee Injuries? Andy Pettitte, Chris Stewart
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 17- It took 3 hours and 26 minutes for the Yankees to lose the rubber game of the three-game series with Seattle. Although the Thursday night loss was disappointing, the Yanks are still in first place in the American League East. The biggest worry for Yankees executives and fans is the seriousness of the physical condition of Andy Pettitte and Chris Stewart.
The Yankees veteran left-hander Andy Pettitte seems snake-bit when pitching against the Seattle Mariners. Seattle is the only American League franchise that has a winning record over Pettitte. The Mariners have handed him 13 losses in the 25 games he has pitched against them. He has 5-10 in his last 15 decisions.
On Thursday night, Pettitte failed to record his 250th win in the majors as he was removed from the contest after pitching only 4.2 innings. At the start of the fifth, the starting pitcher told manager Joe Girardi he had a little spasm, but wanted to remain in the game once two were out. Girardi recalled, “When I saw the drop in velocity, I had some concern. To me, his trap had a knot in it.” The manager does not know if the lefty will miss a turn or even be out of action longer.
Pettitte gave up two runs, four hits, three walks, and threw a wild pitch during his time on the mound. He left with the Yankees trailing, 2-1.
Interestingly, Seattle’s starter, Hector Noesi, threw the same number of pitches as Pettitte, 79, but he was not involved in the decision as he left the game after only 4.1 innings.
The Yankees scored their first tally in the second with two out. Curtis Granderson beat out an infield hit in only his third career start as designated hitter. He advanced to second on an error by the first baseman on the same play and crossed the plate after a double by David Adams. Adams, who began his in the majors on the previous night, recorded his first extra-base hit and first run batted in.
The Mariners scored an insurance run in the sixth, which proved to be needed, when outfielder Michael Morse led off the inning with his 10th four bagger. The home run was the hot hitting outfielder’s 9th hit in his previous 14 at bats.
The Yanks cut the deficit to a single run in the seventh as they pushed one run over the plate on an infield single by Robinson Cano.
Seattle closer Tom Wilhelmsen recorded his 11th save of the season in 11 save opportunities by holding the Yankees to an infield single in the ninth.
Catcher Chris Stewart was replaced by Austin Romine in the eighth. Girardi said Stewart complained of pain in his left groin. After the game, the manager said, “Let’s see what the MRI says.” When asked if he would bring up another catcher from the minors, he responded, “We’ll just have to see.”
The Yankees will begin a three game series with the visiting Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night. Hiroki Kuroda (5-2) will start for New York against Mark Buerhle (1-2) for Toronto.
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 17- It took 3 hours and 26 minutes for the Yankees to lose the rubber game of the three-game series with Seattle. Although the Thursday night loss was disappointing, the Yanks are still in first place in the American League East. The biggest worry for Yankees executives and fans is the seriousness of the physical condition of Andy Pettitte and Chris Stewart.
The Yankees veteran left-hander Andy Pettitte seems snake-bit when pitching against the Seattle Mariners. Seattle is the only American League franchise that has a winning record over Pettitte. The Mariners have handed him 13 losses in the 25 games he has pitched against them. He has 5-10 in his last 15 decisions.
On Thursday night, Pettitte failed to record his 250th win in the majors as he was removed from the contest after pitching only 4.2 innings. At the start of the fifth, the starting pitcher told manager Joe Girardi he had a little spasm, but wanted to remain in the game once two were out. Girardi recalled, “When I saw the drop in velocity, I had some concern. To me, his trap had a knot in it.” The manager does not know if the lefty will miss a turn or even be out of action longer.
Pettitte gave up two runs, four hits, three walks, and threw a wild pitch during his time on the mound. He left with the Yankees trailing, 2-1.
Interestingly, Seattle’s starter, Hector Noesi, threw the same number of pitches as Pettitte, 79, but he was not involved in the decision as he left the game after only 4.1 innings.
The Yankees scored their first tally in the second with two out. Curtis Granderson beat out an infield hit in only his third career start as designated hitter. He advanced to second on an error by the first baseman on the same play and crossed the plate after a double by David Adams. Adams, who began his in the majors on the previous night, recorded his first extra-base hit and first run batted in.
The Mariners scored an insurance run in the sixth, which proved to be needed, when outfielder Michael Morse led off the inning with his 10th four bagger. The home run was the hot hitting outfielder’s 9th hit in his previous 14 at bats.
The Yanks cut the deficit to a single run in the seventh as they pushed one run over the plate on an infield single by Robinson Cano.
Seattle closer Tom Wilhelmsen recorded his 11th save of the season in 11 save opportunities by holding the Yankees to an infield single in the ninth.
Catcher Chris Stewart was replaced by Austin Romine in the eighth. Girardi said Stewart complained of pain in his left groin. After the game, the manager said, “Let’s see what the MRI says.” When asked if he would bring up another catcher from the minors, he responded, “We’ll just have to see.”
The Yankees will begin a three game series with the visiting Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night. Hiroki Kuroda (5-2) will start for New York against Mark Buerhle (1-2) for Toronto.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Bronx News Sports: Lehman High School baseball
Bronx News Sports: Lehman High School baseball: Lions Maul Kennedy Photo by Gerson Legend BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 16- Lehman hosted Kennedy in a Bronx PSAL league game on Wed...
Lehman High School baseball
Lions Maul Kennedy
Photo by Gerson Legend
BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 16- Lehman hosted Kennedy in a Bronx PSAL league game on Wednesday. The Pelham Bay high school beat Kennedy 5-2. Lehman has clinched a playoff spot finishing first in the Bronx A West.
Bronx News Sports: Boos For Hughes
Bronx News Sports: Boos For Hughes: Yanks Stunned by Mariners in 12-2 Loss By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 16- Game #2 of the series with the Seattle Mariners feature...
Boos For Hughes
Yanks Stunned by Mariners in 12-2 Loss
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 16- Game #2 of the series with the Seattle Mariners featured a number of strange events and was a complete debacle for the Yankees. Before the first Yankees player approached the plate in the bottom of the first, the Yanks were trailing by seven runs.
After Yankees starter Phil Hughes retired the first Seattle batter in the game, the next seven batters successfully reached base. The key blow of the 11 batter inning was a grand slam homer by Raúl Ibañez. The Yankees post-season hero of 2012 blasted a 0-1 pitch into the seats for his 11th career grand slam.
The shortest start of Hughes’s career in the majors lasted only 0.2 innings. The 36 pitch effort by Hughes yielded six hits, two walks and seven runs to Seattle. The very disappointed hurler explained his feelings after the contest, “Nothing was happening for me. Nobody feels worse than I do. It’s going to be tough to sleep the next couple of nights.”
The optimistic Yankees manager Joe Girardi tried to put the performance of Hughes in perspective, “If you start long enough, you’re going to get one of these [games]. You’ve got to throw it out and put it behind you.”
A plethora of injuries created a situation in which two Yankees made their MLB debuts in the game. Right-handed pitcher Brett Marshall was called up on Monday. In an attempt to save the bullpen, Marshall pitched 5.2 innings in his first game in the majors. With one out and one on in the fifth, Marshall gave up the second homer of the game to Ibañez. The Yankee Stadium atmosphere is especially pleasing to Ibañez as he has hit nine home runs in his last 11 games at the current stadium. The other three runs surrendered by Marshall also came on a four bagger. With two on and no one out in the sixth, Kyle Seagar drove in three runs with a home run. After the contest, Marshall said, “You don’t expect your first game to be like that.”
David Adams celebrated his 26th birthday by playing in his first major league game. He described his feelings of being the first Yankee to make his major league debut on his birthday, “I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I was going to be.”
Adams started at third base on the day he was called up from the minors. Adams hit a ground ball through the middle for a single in the sixth. Of the ball that was saved, he commented, “My wife and mother are going to fight over it. Maybe I’ll get them some boxing gloves.”
The two runs scored off the winning pitcher, Hisashi Iwakuma (5-1) were by solo homers, one by Vernon Wells in the first and the other by Chris Stewart in the fifth.
Another strange occurrence was that infielder Alberto Gonzalez was sent to the mound with two out in the ninth. Girardi described his question to Gonzalez, “I need you for an out or two, are you okay with it?” Gonzalez retired Robert Andino on a fly to right.
Andy Pettitte (4-2) will be going for his 250th win in the rubber game on Wednesday night against starter Aaron Harang (1-4) for Seattle.
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 16- Game #2 of the series with the Seattle Mariners featured a number of strange events and was a complete debacle for the Yankees. Before the first Yankees player approached the plate in the bottom of the first, the Yanks were trailing by seven runs.
After Yankees starter Phil Hughes retired the first Seattle batter in the game, the next seven batters successfully reached base. The key blow of the 11 batter inning was a grand slam homer by Raúl Ibañez. The Yankees post-season hero of 2012 blasted a 0-1 pitch into the seats for his 11th career grand slam.
The shortest start of Hughes’s career in the majors lasted only 0.2 innings. The 36 pitch effort by Hughes yielded six hits, two walks and seven runs to Seattle. The very disappointed hurler explained his feelings after the contest, “Nothing was happening for me. Nobody feels worse than I do. It’s going to be tough to sleep the next couple of nights.”
The optimistic Yankees manager Joe Girardi tried to put the performance of Hughes in perspective, “If you start long enough, you’re going to get one of these [games]. You’ve got to throw it out and put it behind you.”
A plethora of injuries created a situation in which two Yankees made their MLB debuts in the game. Right-handed pitcher Brett Marshall was called up on Monday. In an attempt to save the bullpen, Marshall pitched 5.2 innings in his first game in the majors. With one out and one on in the fifth, Marshall gave up the second homer of the game to Ibañez. The Yankee Stadium atmosphere is especially pleasing to Ibañez as he has hit nine home runs in his last 11 games at the current stadium. The other three runs surrendered by Marshall also came on a four bagger. With two on and no one out in the sixth, Kyle Seagar drove in three runs with a home run. After the contest, Marshall said, “You don’t expect your first game to be like that.”
David Adams celebrated his 26th birthday by playing in his first major league game. He described his feelings of being the first Yankee to make his major league debut on his birthday, “I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I was going to be.”
Adams started at third base on the day he was called up from the minors. Adams hit a ground ball through the middle for a single in the sixth. Of the ball that was saved, he commented, “My wife and mother are going to fight over it. Maybe I’ll get them some boxing gloves.”
The two runs scored off the winning pitcher, Hisashi Iwakuma (5-1) were by solo homers, one by Vernon Wells in the first and the other by Chris Stewart in the fifth.
Another strange occurrence was that infielder Alberto Gonzalez was sent to the mound with two out in the ninth. Girardi described his question to Gonzalez, “I need you for an out or two, are you okay with it?” Gonzalez retired Robert Andino on a fly to right.
Andy Pettitte (4-2) will be going for his 250th win in the rubber game on Wednesday night against starter Aaron Harang (1-4) for Seattle.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Bronx News Sports: Opening Day for Grandy
Bronx News Sports: Opening Day for Grandy: Granderson Returns to Yank Lineup By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 15- The first of the seriously injured Yankees All-Stars, ...
Opening Day for Grandy
Granderson Returns to Yank Lineup
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 15- The first of the seriously injured Yankees All-Stars, Curtis Granderson, returned to the lineup for the Yanks on May 14. The game was the first for Grandy in the 2013 season, but the 39th for the team.
Flashback to February 24. Granderson walked to home plate in the first inning of the first home Spring Training game for the Yankees. Toronto’s left-handed hurler J.A. Happ threw a pitch that fractured Granderson’s right forearm.
Since that occurrence, the 32-year-old outfielder has been in an intensive rehab program in an attempt, now successful, to return to the lineup. Granderson spoke about the lengthy healing process before his return, “I knew it was a broken bone and I can’t go ahead and do anything if it’s still broken. You’ve got to let it heal. And once it was able to heal, we’ve got to start swinging and getting my legs back underneath me.”
Once finally allowed to play, Granderson batted 8 for 20 in his Triple A preparation with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Before his appearance with the Yankees, the veteran outfielder explained his emotional feelings, “It’s the first game. I didn’t get a chance to get Opening Day, so today is my Opening Day. And just like every Opening Day, there’s always a little bit of nerves until that finally passes.”
On Tuesday, Granderson batted in the clean-up slot and played in left field rather than his customary place in center field. He grounded into a double play in his first trip to the plate in the first. He fanned in the fourth. In the sixth, he grounded to the pitcher, Felix Hernandez, who threw to second for the force. Granderson, on first, then scored the first Yankees run on a double by Lyle Overbay. Granderson drew a walk in the seventh, which loaded the bases. The next batter, Overbay, hit a sacrifice fly to center that drove in the winning run.
One the game was behind him, Granderson felt less pressure. He told reporters, “It was like another opening Day. Nerves enter into it. Now it’s out of the way, so we can get back to playing. It’s definitely a bit of relief.”
Despite the absence of high salaried and highly talented players, the Yankees hold undisputed first place in the American League East. Hopefully, the morale and the chemistry on the thus far successful team will continue and not deteriorate once the stars come out.
Bronx News Sports: The Grandy Man Can!
Bronx News Sports: The Grandy Man Can!: Granderson’s Back as Yanks Come From Behind to Win Photo by Gary Quintal By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, May 15- The Yanks return...
The Grandy Man Can!
Granderson’s Back as Yanks Come From Behind to Win
Photo by Gary Quintal
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, May 15- The Yanks returned to the Bronx on Tuesday after a successful, 6-2, road trip. Pitching was the strength of the Yankees as they held their opponents to two runs or less in seven of the eight contests. New York was shut out in its two road losses.
Pitching again was the main story on Tuesday night as former American League Cy Young award winners C.C. Sabathia (2007) and “King” Felix Hernandez (2010) hooked up for the first time. The encounter was the fourth between former Cy Young winners in the current Yankee Stadium.
As was expected, the batters did not dominate the two starters. The batter that scored the only run in the first five frames reached base on an error. With one out in the top of the third, Mariners’ center fielder Michael Saunders was safe on a miscue by first sacker Lyle Overbay. A two out double by Kyle Segar drove Saunders across the plate.
Each team scored in the sixth. Seattle catcher Kelly Shoppach led off the inning with a single. The next batter, former Yankee hero Raúl Ibañez, took an 0-1 pitch into the first row of the right field seats to score two. He averages a home run every 12.5 at bats in the current Yankee Stadium. Yankees pitchers had not allowed an earned run for 21 straight innings prior to the home run.
Robinson Cano led off the bottom of the inning with a single. A grounder to Hernandez by Curtis Granderson, playing in his first game of the season, led to a force of Cano at second. Granderson scored the first Yankees run on a double by Overbay.
Both starters left the game after the sixth. Sabathia was removed with one out in the seventh and two men on base. He gave up 10 hits, his season high, and three runs, two earned. He fanned 10, a season best. After the game, the Yankees starter commented, “I always try to keep the game close and keep us in the game. Kelley picked me up in the seventh.”
Hernandez, who appeared in discomfort during the sixth, did not return to the mound for the seventh. Seattle manager Eric Wedge discussed his reason for removing “King Felix”, “we have to be smart and can’t put him in harm’s way.” Hernandez yielded only five hits and one run. The American League leader in ERA has not surrendered more than one run in each of his last six starts.
Yankees skipper Joe Girardi was impressed by the performance of Hernandez, “He basically did what he usually does, gets guys out. He makes it really tough to score a run.”
Hernandez’s bid for a victory was spoiled by relievers Yoervis Medina and Charlie Furbish who collectively gave up three runs in the seventh. A double by Cano drove in two runs and a sacrifice fly to center by Overbay knocked in the eventual winning run. Cano passed Mickey Mantle on the team’s career list with his 345th double. He remarked, “My approach was looking for something over the plate because the last few games I was chasing.”
Closer extraordinaire Mariano Rivera converted his 16th save opportunity of the 2013 campaign by retiring the three batters he faced in the ninth inning. He has been successful in all 16 opportunities this year. The save upped his MLB career record to 624 saves.
Reliever Shawn Kelley earned the win after pitching 2/3 of an inning. In May the bullpen is 4-1 with an ERA of 0.77. The relievers have not been scored upon for the last 22.2 innings.
Phil Hughes (2-2) of New York will start game two of the series on Wednesday versus Hisashi Iwakuma (4-1) of Seattle.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Bronx News Sports: Bronx Baseball Great Hank Greenberg Remembered
Bronx News Sports: Bronx Baseball Great Hank Greenberg Remembered: By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, May 10- Hank Greenberg was born more than a century ago; he hung up his major league uniform two-thirds...
Bronx Baseball Great Hank Greenberg Remembered
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, May 10- Hank Greenberg was born more than a century ago; he hung up his major league uniform two-thirds of a century ago and he died a quarter of a century ago, yet very recently a new definitive biography of the baseball great was published and an expanded commemorative documentary film of his life was released.
Last week, John Rosengren, the author of “Hank Greenberg: Hero of Heroes” [New American Library, New York, March 2013] and Aviva Kempner, director of the multi-award winning film, “The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg” [The Ciesla Foundation, 2013] made two public appearances in New York City to promote their works and to rekindle memories of Greenberg for the older generation and educate those unfamiliar with Greenberg’s accomplishments.
The pair were at the Bergino Baseball Clubhouse at 67 East 11th Street and on Friday night, they appeared at the Jewish Community Center at 76th Street and Amsterdam Avenue.
Each spoke of the work produced and life of the baseball great. Each then answered questions and engaged the audience in a discussion of Greenberg. From the highly knowledgeable speakers and from their extensively researched works one can learn a great deal regarding the highly able and important former athlete as well as the times during which he was a famed athlete.
Both the book and the film very ably and interestingly tell the story of a man who lived a life that symbolized the conflicts and the triumphs of second-generation American Jews during the 1920s-1940s. Many individuals of that generation were drawn to assimilate into the American culture, yet, at the same time, wished to cling to their traditions and beliefs and not disappoint their parents. Greenberg symbolized as well as lived that life because he was the greatest Jewish athlete of the 1930s and 1940s and played Major League Baseball, which in that era was truly the national pastime.
Like millions of other American Jews, Greenberg, the son of Romanian immigrants, was born on the Lower East Side. At the age of six, he moved with his family to, what was then considered the country, the Bronx, where he was raised. The family lived at Crotona Park North throughout his childhood and early adulthood. He and his siblings attended public schools in the Bronx.
It was at James Monroe High School and at the fields of Crotona Park that Henry, the Americanized version of Hyman, the name his parents intended to give him, improved his skills for his future profession, baseball.
The tall, (6-4), athletic young man hungered for a career in professional baseball although his mother and father wished for all their children to complete a college education and enter a profession like medicine or law.
In the early 1930s, Greenberg’s ability led to his acceptance by one of the 16 major league franchises, the Detroit Tigers. The young man worked very hard to perfect his athletic skills and thus, became one of the best players of his era. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame a decade after his playing career ended. Greenberg’s ability, his higher salary than most other players in the big leagues at that time and especially, his religion led to his becoming a target of bigoted fans and players, even those on his own team.
That Greenberg was a star in Detroit in the 1930s may seem strange as two of the major promoters of anti-Semitism of that era, Henry Ford and Father Charles Coughlan, were headquartered in the area and had large followings.
Although the animosity toward the Jewish star ballplayer was intense, especially during that period, it was not as vicious as that directed toward Jackie Robinson in the year he integrated the majors, 1947, which was also Greenberg’s final year in the big leagues. The relationship between Greenberg and Robinson was one of mutual respect and admiration.
Although the book and film were not jointly produced, they make a great companion item. Rosengren, the author of this book and several other award winning volume, gave due credit to Kempner’s film, which was originally produced more than a dozen years before his book was published, for inspiring his work. Kempner, who was raised in Detroit, was told of her father’s hero throughout her childhood. She decided to pursue the film project upon hearing of Greenberg’s death in 1986. The joint appearance was especially effective as both are exceptionally knowledgeable and each has a viewpoint that complemented the other.
Both creators, after years of research, became drawn to their subject, yet the works produced, although deservedly favorable toward Greenberg provide a portrait that is honest and balanced.
Also, each of the two pieces, book and film, adds to the worth of the other. The words of the biography amplify what is seen in the film and the scenes of the documentary bring life to the words of the volume. Each in itself is a superbly done project that the reader/viewer will enjoy and learn from. Together their value is even further enhanced. To those who are interested in baseball history and/ or wish to better understand the life lived by second generation Jews in the early to mid-twentieth century, the purchase of both items would be very much worthwhile.
For further information of the two works of art and history one can consult the following websites-www.hankgreenbergfilm.org and www.hankgreenberg.net.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Bronx News Sports: Former Yankee returns
Bronx News Sports: Former Yankee returns: A Near Perfecto for Mets Phenom Matt Harvey (Former Met and Yankee turned Chicago White Sox Coach Robin Ventura returned to NY. Phot...
Former Yankee returns
A Near Perfecto for Mets Phenom Matt Harvey
(Former Met and Yankee turned Chicago White Sox Coach Robin Ventura returned to NY. Photos by Gary Quintal)
By Howard Goldin
On Tuesday night, the Pale Hose of Chicago made their first visit to Citi Field. The two teams had only previously played one inter-league series, a three-game set in Chicago in June of 2002. The ChiSox were the only team not to have played the Mets in New York. The contest on Tuesday was well worth the wait.
Two young hurlers, Hector Santiago, 25, of Chicago and Matt Harvey, 24, of New York entered into a duel that displayed star pitchers of the future.
The Mets phenom was drafted as the 7th overall pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft. The Connecticut native has been exceptionally impressive at every stage of his short baseball career, in high school in his native state, in college, UNC, and in the minors. Harvey only started 46 games in 1.5 years in the minors before being called up to the Mets in July of 2012.
Harvey was dazzling in his first start in the big leagues on July 26 when he held his opponents scoreless, fanned 11 and got two hits. The young right hander compiled an ERA of 2.73 in 19 starts during his first season in the majors. His strikeout average was 10.6 per inning.
Harvey has been even more impressive in 2013 than in his rookie campaign. He was undefeated, 4-0, in his six starts in April. He ranked 3rd in the National League with an ERA of 1.56 and 4th in strikeouts with 46. His efforts earned him the nod as NL Pitcher of the Month.
Harvey’s first start in May (the 7th) was a sensation. The young righty retired the first 20 batters he faced. The game became increasingly more interesting, exciting and suspenseful as the zeros appeared on the scoreboard.
With two out in the top of the sixth, Alex Rios grounded the 74th pitch thrown by Harvey deep to short. Rúben Tejeda fielded the ball and threw it to first, but the speedy Rios beat it to first. Mets catcher john Buck described the situation, “The pitch was right where I wanted it. He [Rios] just hit it soft enough [to beat it out]. “The lengthy (6.2 inning) perfect game bid was last accomplished by a Mets hurler (Rick Reed) in 2010.
Almost unnoticed in the interest in Harvey’s performance was the effectiveness of White Sox starter Hector Santiago. The New Jersey native who was a devoted Mets fan as a youngster was making only his second start of the year. The 25 year-old improved upon his previous effort. On May 2, the lefthander earned the win after yielding only two hits and one run in 5.1 innings.
On Tuesday, Santiago scattered four singles, walked two and hit a batter, but no runners crossed the plate during his seven innings on the mound. He was under personal pressure as his parents and many relatives were in the park to watch him.
Harvey pitched the 8th and 9th frames without giving up another hit, a base on balls or a run. He fanned a career high of 12. After the contest, Mets manager Terry Collins spoke about the rare and superlative performance of his young starter, “It seems every time we talk about this guy, it’s always something new and different. He was throwing any pitch he wanted for a strike. By the fifth inning, I thought he was going to throw a no-hitter. This is the night. He has everything.” The experience baseball has been astounded by Harvey’s progress, “The high advancement he made and the command I have not seen in one year.”
Surprisingly, Harvey was almost taken out in the first inning. His nose was bleeding before the game and in the early going, but then stopped. Mets manager Terry Collins remarked, “I thought I would have to take him out [but] nothing seems to faze him.”
Bobby Parnell earned his second win in the last three games after retiring all three batters in the 10th, two by strikeout. The righty has been unscored on in 12 of his14 games in 2013.
Ike Davis led off the 10th by drawing a base on balls, moved to second on a sacrifice and scored the only run of the game on a pinch single by queens native Mike Baxter. The pinch hitter supreme raised his batting average as a pinch hitter this season to .500 (4 for8). During the 2012 season, the clutch hitter led the majors with a .458 average as a pinch hitter (11 for 24).
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