Yanks Blast Sox Off

Yanks Blast Sox Off

Homers Give Yankees a 7-4 Victory over the Red Sox

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK APRIL 13- In a reversal of the circumstances of the previous night’s contest at Yankee Stadium, five Yankee four baggers drove in each of their seven runs and ensured them a Saturday matinee victory over the Boston Red Sox.

The good feeling of sitting under blue skies and mild temperatures in the 60’s was increased for the Yankee rooters in the ballpark by the success at the plate of the Yankee batters. The combination provided a pleasant Saturday afternoon outing for the 48.572 fans in the Stadium, the largest crowd of the season.

In the first frame, a two-out single by the hot hitting former star of the Red Sox, Jacoby Ellsbury, was followed by Carlos Beltran’s second home run of the 2014 campaign, which gave New York a two run lead.

A lead-off base hit by Xander Bogarts in the second led to a tied score of two as the next batter, AJ Pierzynski blasted the first pitch into the seats in right to drive in two runs.

Two innings later, Brian McCann and Alfonso Soriano connected for back-to-back homers to give New York a 4-2 advantage. The Yankees had last hit homers back-to-back on June 6, 2013 in Seattle.

Two additional Yankee runners crossed the plate in the bottom of the sixth. McCann with his second home run of the game also drove in Beltran, who had doubled to begin the inning. This was McCann’s tenth multi-homer game in his career in the majors. It was the first Yankee multi-home run game since Soriano blasted two round trippers on September 10, 2013.

Despite entering the contest with a batting average of .162, the Yankee skipper was not surprised by McCann’s home runs, “I know he’s going to hit; he’s too good a hitter not to hit.”

Yankee starter Hiroki Kuroda was removed from the game after 6.1 innings after walking two batters in the seventh. A hit batsman and a single by Mike Carp off reliever Matt Thornton allowed the last two baserunners of Kuroda’s outing to score.

Kuroda gave up six hits and four earned runs in his 6.1 inning performance. He earned his second win of the young season, but was critical of his pitching, “Overall, I wasn’t sharp. My command and precise control wasn’t there.”

Kelly Johnson began the eighth frame with a crushing blow that landed in the center field seats. Saturday’s game was the third straight in which Johnson homered. The two rookies, Yangervis Solarte and Dean Anna, followed with a single and a double respectively. They were stranded on second and third when the inning concluded after the next two batters could not move them.

The offensive onslaught was quite pleasing to the Yankee manager, “It definitely helps if you can score runs quickly. I think our offense is much more balanced than last year. I think it is much more explosive too.”

The final game of the series will be played on Sunday night. Ivan Nova will start for New York and Felix Doubront will start for Boston.

Phenomenal Start for Yankee Rookie Yangervis Solarte

Phenomenal Start for Yankee Rookie Yangervis Solarte

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 10--The cycle of life can be seen in this year’s Yankee infield. One individual is about to depart while another is about to begin a life. Yankee captain Derek Jeter’s playing career in Major League Baseball (MLB) will end at the conclusion of this season while Yangervis Solarte made his debut in the majors last week.

The absence of Jeter will be noticed and commented upon throughout the nation. 

On the other hand, Solarte began as a Yankee with little notice. At the age of 18, the Venezuelan signed a contract with the Minnesota Twins as a non-drafted free agent. In six minor league seasons, Solarte saw limited playing time.

In the winter of 2011, he was signed as a minor league free agent by the Texas Rangers. In two full seasons at the Rangers’ Triple A affiliate in Round Rock, Solarte batted an impressive .340 and .323 in respective seasons. His combined minor league batting average was .286 in 672 games. 

The 26 year-old signed with the Yankees in January of this year as a minor league free agent. At the conclusion of the 2014 Spring Training, Solarte was moved to the Yankees roster in place of Eduardo Nuñez, who was traded to the Twins this week. Solarte earned his promotion by batting .429 (18 for 42) and driving in nine runs in 24 games. 

Solarte made his major league debut on April 2 as a pinch hitter for Kelly Johnson. His first start in the majors on the following day was an auspicious occasion as he batted 3 for 3 and drew a walk in four trips to the plate. His was not perfect at the plate in his next two road games but hit safely twice in each. This achievement made him the first Yankee since Joe DiMaggio in 1936 with at least two hits in each of his first three starts in the majors. 

In his four starts on the Yankees first road trip of the season, he hit safely 8 times in 15 at bats and drove in five runs.

The Yankee Stadium Opening Day start at third in front of a full house did not awe the neophyte major leaguer. He walked in his first trip to the plate and scored the first Yankee run of the afternoon. In his next at bat, he drove in a run with a single.

The rookie continued his hot batting in Tuesday afternoon’s humiliating 14-5 loss to Baltimore. He doubled home a run in the fourth, and in his next at bat, doubled again. According to Elias, Solarte is the first major leaguer since 1900 to hit, at least, six doubles in his first seven games.the two hits raised Solarte’s hitting streak to six games.

After Tuesday’s game, Yankee skipper Joe Girardi remarked, “I like what I see. He’s certainly taken advantage of this opportunity. We’re going to keep running him out there.”

The name of former Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez is not being currently heard at Yankee Stadium.

Tanaka has arrived in the Bronx

Tanaka has arrived in the Bronx 

Pitching Phenom Lives Up to the Hype

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 10- The slider, fastball, and change up came as advertised from Masahiro Tanaka and were on display for the first time in the Bronx Wednesday night. And for almost seven innings, Tanaka had the Baltimore Orioles knowing that the New York Yankees right-hander from Japan had arrived.

Nelson Cruz also knows that well, two of the 10-strikeout victims, courtesy of a nasty slider Tanaka throws that hit the dirt. The fastball also contributed to the swings, and looks at the plate that Cruz and the Orioles will see again.

It was Tanaka as advertised, and there will be more to come. The Yankees early season bullpen issues are more of an issue for manager Joe Girardi. 

Tanaka was asked about his first two starts and the early runs. He gave up a first inning home run in his first start, to Melky Cabrera up in Toronto. Wednesday night, the Orioles scored three runs in the second inning.

“Obviously that is something I need to adjust,” he said through his interpreter. “It’s really hard to make an assessment after two games.” And one veteran scout sitting up in the Yankee Stadium area press box said, “He will adjust. Wish we had him.”

A first inning fastball hit by Delmon Young, a double to the wall in left was the beginning of what will be an adjustment. It was clocked at 90, advertised as it came. But Young got a hold of it and Tanaka, will eventually adjust and learn how to get three easy outs in a Major League Baseball game first inning.

Adam Jones got caught swinging at a third strike, a 14-pitch first inning. Nelson Cruz got fooled and struck out in the second on a Tanaka fastball. Steve Lombordozzi followed with the second hit of the inning, lining a ball that got over the head of Yangervis Solarte at third.

But, Tanaka looked good against Cruz, one of the premiere hitters in baseball, with or without a steroid suspension on his resume. He got Cruz to strike out in the third inning on a slider that was in the dirt, but in that second inning, he continued to get a lesson.

Jonathan Schoop, on a 1-0 pitch, got hold of a slider that landed deep in the second deck out in left for an Orioles 3-0 lead. He would settle down, very identical to that first start up in Toronto. There were 58 pitches, 40 for strikes after three innings. He definitely can dominate, and on four days rest, another adjustment that he says will not be an issue.

“He made a mistake and kept a slider up,” commented Schoop. “I tried to make adjustments as he tried to elevate me, and then he made a mistake.”

However, Tanaka, as everyone knows will not make many mistakes. This is still a learning process of adjusting and learning the hitters here, even in his new home run yard known as Yankee Stadium. He allowed three earned runs and a walk.

“He battled out of tough jams, made pitches when he had to and got better as the night went along,” said Girardi, who added, Tanaka threw the ball okay. In the fifth inning with two on base and with two out, the score knotted at 3-3, on a 2-2 pitch he got Matt Wieters to go after a changeup in the dirt and get out of the inning, his eighth strikeout.

“He is as good as advertised,” claimed Orioles manager Buck Showalter. “

On his 101^st pitch, Tanaka got Young swinging on another slider for his 10^th strikeout and second of the sixth inning. He could have gone longer, but this is a process, now adjusting to the four day rest routine. In other words this is not the accustomed process of taking the mound every fifth day.  

He said, “I understand four days. Also it’s a long season and will go along with it.” 

The Orioles’ Adam Jones said, Tanaka is not facing the same hitters that were in Japan. “We groove, we hack.”

Jones struck out twice and singled in three at bats off Tanaka. He became the second Yankee pitcher to strike out at least eight batters in each of his first two Major League starts. The 10 strikeouts were the most by a Yankees rookie since Ivan Nova on August 4, of 2011 against the White Sox, and most for a rookie at home since 1998 in a game against Texas.

Yes, Tanaka has arrived. The Yankees may have their bullpen issues but a sensation from Japan will eventually go deeper into games. It is part of the adjustment and he comes as advertised.

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com  Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso  www.newyorksportsexaminer.com

Yanks Clobbered by O’s, 14-5

Yanks Clobbered by O’s, 14-5

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 9- For Yankee fans, the less said about Tuesday afternoon’s game with Baltimore the better. Thus, to spare the feelings of Yankee rooters, this article will be brief. 

Yankee pitching was embarrassing. Starter Ivan Nova yielded seven runs and 10 hits in 3.2 innings before he was mercilessly lifted. After the game, Yankee skipper Joe Girardi commented on Nova, “He didn’t have his good stuff and couldn’t get through it. Whatever it was,  we have to get it corrected.”

Not to be outdone, reliever Vidal Nuno also surrendered seven runs in only 3.1 innings. Baltimore batters pounded Yankee pitching for 20 hits including home runs by Adam Jones, Delmon Young and Matt Weiters. Eight batters of the starting nine drove in runs.

Yankee batters reached Oriole hurlers for 13 hits and five runs. Alfonso Soriano and Kelly Johnson, as a pinch hitter, hit four baggers. Jacoby Ellsbury continued his torrid hitting with three hits. Soriano and rookie Yangervis Solarte each blasted two extra base hits. 

In the rubber game of the three game series on Wednesday night, Masahiro Tanaka will be making his first home start for the Yanks. Miguel Gonzalez will start for Baltimore. 

One Last Time

One Last Time

Derek Jeter was the highlight for his final Opening Day in the Bronx

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 7- Derek Jeter struck out in the first inning, his final Opening Day at bat in the Bronx at Yankee Stadium. He got cheers, and what else would be more appropriate. He has been an icon in the once “House of Ruth Built” across the street and at the new stadium since 1996, and cheers will continue until his final at bat in September.

Except, Jeter is one to not take the accolades for himself and as he said again early Monday, this is not about him. It’s about his teammates and the Yankees winning another championship. And the goal for these Yankees is to win one more this season for the Captain as Jeter wears the pinstripes for a final time.

“It’s pretty much like every opening day,” said Jeter. He said the fans always treated him with respect, they get excited and it is a big deal in New York.

He said there have been a lot of wild moments, and enjoyed each and every day in the Bronx. The fans have been special. They always knew Jeter had a priority when he took the field in the Bronx. They saw that in October of 2012, the night when his season ended abruptly against the Tigers in the American League Championship Series.

Jeter struggled to get up. The pain was etched in his face, but a broken ankle prevented the Yankees Captain from leaving the field on his own. The Manager Joe Girardi had to help Jeter off the field.

So, when the player introduction commenced, there was Derek Jeter. In the Yankees dugout, and just like every Opening Day he was nervous. It is part of being a ballplayer. The nerves will flow opening the home season, except this one was extra special.

“I think I’m curious how he’s going to handle it,” said Girardi before the first pitch. “Something like today, or the last time in a city maybe, I’m curious to see how he handles that. I’m sure he’ll take a moment to reflect on that but will it be visible that he’s reflecting on it?”

See, Derek Jeter has always been one to reflect on things, especially his marvelous career. But he never made it known how he felt. His teammates over the years have said, Jeter keeps it all inside, and perhaps that’s what made him so special. After all, this is New York. The spotlight and center of attention of the New York Yankees, that being Derek Jeter, is not supposed to have hidden feelings.

This is New York, and when you play here the entire world is tuned in.

"I think people are going to show him the appreciation no matter what happens just because of what he's meant,” said Girardi.  “You think about his rings, his World Series, All-Star Games, everything he's done and the way he's played the game, I don't think his stats will have a very big impact on how they show appreciation.”

“But the stats might have an impact on people letting him go away after this season in a sense. If he has a season like we know he's capable of, people are going to say 'why aren't you going to keep playing?’"

Jeter now has the most hits for a right-handed batter in American League history. He led off the bottom of the fifth with a double that almost cleared the left field wall for a home run. New teammate, Jacoby Ellsbury, followed with a run scoring single that gave the Yankees a 3-1 lead over the Orioles.

It was a typical Jeter swing. His head slide into second, something he could not do last year, showing no effects of an injury that kept him away from an opening day in the Bronx last year.

“I've always said that Yankees fans are the greatest fans in the world,” commented Jeter. “That is no disrespect to any other team or any other sport. That's just how I feel."

And with the “Core Four” together one more time, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera, Jeter heard more of the ovations from a capacity crowd. He spent so much time in pinstripes, had those wonderful moments in the Bronx and there is no telling how many more of those moments will occur from now until late September.

For now, the Yankees and their fans will relish these final moments. It is a love affair that will never go away. Opening Day in the Bronx will just have to be a little different next April with Derek Jeter as a special guest at Yankee Stadium.

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com  Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso  www.newyorksportsexaminer.com

YANKEES

Return to Glory?
New Faces and Returning Faves Look to Bring Home Another Championship

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 31- As the college basketball season reaches its apex, the Final Four, the Major League Baseball (MLB) season is ready to begin in full force. Each team, except the two teams who began the season earlier in March in Australia, have a mark of 0-0.

Hopes are high in the Bronx as there are always expectations among Yankee fans that the team will reach the World Series or, at the least, qualify for the playoffs. 

Great changes have been made since the conclusion of the 2013 season. Iconic figures have departed. Mariano Rivera, the greatest closer in MLB history, retired. Andy Pettitte, a mainstay starter for 15 seasons with the Yankees, especially effective in the post-season, retired. 

The controversial third sacker who has blasted more than 600 home runs, Alex Rodrigez, was suspended for the entire 2014 season by the Commissioner of Baseball. Robinson Cano, considered by many observers to be the best second baseman in the majors, signed a 10-year contract for $240 million with the Seattle Mariners. Starter Phil Hughes and reliever Joba Chamberlain signed with other teams as the Yankees showed little interest in signing them.

Last year’s injury riddled team finished the year with an 85-77 record and did not qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2008. The 2013 Yankees consisted of many reserves who were inserted into the starting lineup in the place of injured star players.

Stars always counted upon for consistency are returning from serious injuries. First baseman Mark Teixeira played only 15 games in 2013 after having suffered a wrist injury that required surgery. The team captain Derek Jeter played only 17 games last year after repeated ankle injuries. Jeter announced that 2014 will be his final season in the majors. He, obviously, will be making his usual supreme effort to lead his club to a successful year. 

Four off-season free agent acquisitions with a combined cost of nearly $500 million are expected to strengthen in the club in a number of areas. For the first time since Jorge Posada was behind the plate, the Yankees have an outstanding offensive and defensive catcher with leadership qualities in Brian McCann. With an impressive Spring Training showing, Francisco Cervelli beat out Austin Romine and J.R. Murphy to be the back-up catcher.

Jacoby Ellsbury, formerly of the Red Sox, will be the lead-off hitter and center fielder for the team. Although he was out two weeks with an injury in March, the Yankees are hopeful he will play a full injury-free season. 

Veteran Carlos Beltran will fill the position in right field. The former Met had envisioned playing with the Yankees years ago. If he remains as he has been the last few years, he will help the Yankees at bat and should also be a boon to the team in the clubhouse. 

Brett Gardner, on the big club since 2008, recently signed a four -year extension for $52 million. Gardner, who has a similar skill set as Ellsbury, will fill the other outfield corner in left.

Veteran Ichiro Suzuki will serve as the fourth outfielder. Alfonso Soriano, who had an excellent season after signing with the Yankees last year will move from the outfield to be the designated hitter.

Kelly Johnson at third and Brian Roberts at second will join veteran Yankees Teixeira and Jeter in the infield. While they cannot be expected to replace Rodriguez and Cano at the plate, the experienced major leaguers should be more than adequate in the field. 

The ace of the starting rotation, CC Sabathia, is hoping to rebound after a poor year. He has again lost weight, which could either be positive or negative. He appears to recognize that he needs to adjust to the loss of velocity on his fastball. 

The second starter, Hiroki Kuroda, is coming off a disappointing second half of the 2013 season. The 39 year-old can benefit the Yankees by helping major league rookie Matsahiro Tanaka adjust to the majors and the United States. 

The three young starters had outstanding springs. Tanaka was 2-0 with an excellent ERA in his appearances. Ivan Nova also pitched well. Michael Pineda, after missing two seasons with injuries, was recently named the fifth starter by Joe Girardi after an impressive Spring Training. 

The key relief spot, closer, filled nearly perfectly by Marian Rivera will be given to David Robertson. Last year’s eighth inning specialist is hopeful of being as successful as he was on 2013 in his new role. The Yankees passed on signing several respected closers to replace Rivera. 

Shawn Kelley and newcomer Jacob Thornton are expected to take over the eighth inning responsibilities. Other returning relievers include David Phelps, Dellin Betances, Cesar Cabral, and Adam Warren.

Will the 2014 version of the Yankees be sufficient to carry them into the playoffs? No one yet knows. Yankees personnel and fans certainly hope for and expect success. 

Cash Says Yanks Have Issues

Work to do for Next Season

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 1- Two days after the New York Yankees

completed an 85-77 season, their worst since 1992, Brian Cashman the

general manager said it the best way he could. It was rough, and there

are many uncertainties with the roster and does manager Joe Girardi

return for another season?

As of now, Girardi is still the manager and it appears he will be

offered an option to return for the 2014 season. Meetings with the

agent for Girardi are scheduled to begin Wednesday, and as Cashman

said at a noon press conference Tuesday, “We will provide a time frame

as to how it is going.”

Time frames and decisions will keep Cashman busy this off season. The

Yankees, for the second time in 19-years, are not playing baseball in

October and a discussion regarding next season in the press conference

room at Yankee Stadium to say the least is very rare this time of

year.

There is the immediate matter of resolving what Girardi wants to do,

the Alex Rodriguez possible suspension, the pitching staff, and of

course an infield that may not see much more of Derek Jeter at

shortstop. And after the conclusion of the World Series, second

baseman Robinson Cano is a free agent and the Yankees may not be able

to afford him.

Those are just a few of the many issues Cashman has ahead, always with

the goal of getting the Yankees back to the post season.

“We got derailed this year by decision making as well as injures,” he

said. Cashman did say, Cano could be the first Dominican born player

with Yankee homegrown roots to have a plaque placed in Moument Park at

Yankee Stadium. However, Cano, and his new profiled agents, are

looking to make the second baseman the richest player in the game.

And the question, how do the Yankees get under next year’s $189

million luxury tax threshold? If the A-Rod suspension, currently under

appeal for violating baseball’s anti drug policies, goes through, that

threshold question becomes easier.

The Yankees would not have to pay Rodriguez another $25 or 30- million

if he sits out a full season, and if the appeal is not favorable, the

high powered legal team that A-Rod has will plead a case to the

Federal courts. If that is the situation, A-Rod would probably be

permitted to play baseball in 2014.

But that is one of the many significant issues Cashman has at hand. He

would like to see Girardi return for a seventh season. Through all the

injuries, and roster moves, Girardi guided the Yankees until the final

days of the season for one of two Al wild card post season spots.

That did not happen, though Cashman would not say it directly, that it

was not acceptable, he did admit not playing in October clearly is his

responsibility as the GM.

“We’ve been fortunate for a long time to avoid what happened to us

this year,” he said about the injuries to Jeter, Curtis Granderson,

Mark Teixeira, the uncertainty of A-Rod and the Yankees having to use

56 different players, 27 on and off the disabled list.

Cashman added, “What happened this year derailed other clubs,”

referring to the Braves of 1996, a team the Yankees defeated in the

World Series without David Justice. “I take full responsibility what

happened, I am the general manager,” he said about the Yankees fourth

place finish in the standings.

As for Rodriguez, Cashman said until otherwise known, he expects the

third baseman to be ready for spring training in mid- February. “I

operate under the assumption A-Rod will be here.”

When asked about the possibility of A-Rod not being available, or what

players the Yankees may pursue via trade or on the free agent market,

the GM said, “I don’t know what is available what is on the trade

market yet. “That may include other options regarding the playing time

for Jeter.

The Yankees captain had two stints on the disabled list, was limited

to running on the bases, and there is every chance 2014 will be his

last season. Cashman said Jeter could be in the lineup everyday or be

placed in the designated hitter role, all depending on his health and

how the surgically repaired left ankle is.

“The left side of the infield is a priority,” he said about the

uncertainty of Jeter and Rodriguez, “Also at second base, questions

that have to be answered,” referring to the contract status of Cano.

He hopes Teixeira at first base is not a position to be concerned

with. ‘’His injury he should be fine and ready to go to spring

training,” commenting about the surgery to the left wrist. Cashman

also speculated there may be a need for right handed hitters.

On Ichiro, “He’s a great athlete. When he’s on base he obviously

changes the game for you.” The outfielder who will be 40-years of age

may not return after achieving 4,000 hits this season combined from

his playing days in Japan. “Don’t know yet. Depends on the situation,”

said Cashman.

So the production of home runs was down, and increased when Alfonso

Soriano was reacquired by Cashman. The Yankees played small ball and

scored less runs.  But in the end, it comes down to pitching and

Cashman has to address the future of free agent Hiroki Kuroda who did

not win a game in September, after a successful first half.

And does Michael Pineda finally throw a pitch after a 13-month rehab

assignment? Is CC Sabathia the ace? That, according to Cashman depends

on his health, the velocity of a fastball that diminished, and

avoiding the home run ball.

“Hope his numbers, are identical to the past,” said Cashman.  “We

think he can pitch towards that front end. The performance will speak

for itself.”

Yes, Yankee Stadium is dark this October. However, the meetings have

started. This is not acceptable, not playing baseball this time of

year. And there will be every effort to make it better because the

Yankees have that fan base.

And Cashman knows also, empty seats at the big stadium in the Bronx

will not look good.

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

Heartbreak for Andy

Bullpen Collapse Leads to Boston Domination

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 7- After Friday night’s game between the Yanks and the Red Sox, Boston’s skipper John Farrell remarked, “It was almost two different games tonight.” The Yankees led 8-3 at the end of the fifth inning, but were held scoreless during the final four frames while the Red Sox scored nine runs in the seventh and eighth.

During the first five frames, the Yankee offense was in full throttle. In those innings, every Yankee batter had successfully reached base at least once. The Yankees scored two runs in four of the first five innings and six different batters recorded RBI.

Four of the first five Yankee runs were scored by batters who were walked by Red Sox starter Felix Doubront. After Derek Jeter walked with one out in the first inning, Alfonso Soriano struck his 13th home run in pinstripes since joining the club on July 26. The four-bagger was his 30th of the 2013 campaign.

Vernon Wells drew a base on balls to open the second inning and scored on a triple by Eduardo Nuñez, who later in the inning scored on a sacrifice fly by Chris Stewart.

Two out walks issued to Mark Reynolds and Stewart in the fourth were transformed into runs when Brett Gardner drove in both runners with a triple.

In the fifth, a double by Robinson Cano followed by singles from Wells, Nuñez and Reynolds resulted in another two run inning.

After the contest, Yankee starting pitcher Andy Pettitte gave credit to the offense, “The offense has been great. I like the way the guys have been swinging the bats. I love the fight in us.”

Unfortunately, for the large crowd (44,117) of Yankee fans, the offense was unable to continue the fight after the fifth. Boston relievers kept the Yankee batters scoreless and hitless during the final four frames. Six of the 12 outs were by strikeout.

Andy Pettitte had another quality start. In six innings, he yielded three runs on five hits. The veteran has turned his season around since problems earlier in the year. In his last five starts, the left-hander is 3-0 with an ERA of 1.71. The competitive hurler was self-critical despite his fine performance. “I wish I could have gone a lot longer in the game.”

In the past two games with Boston, the failure has come with the depleted relief corps. Mariano Rivera pitched in the previous three contests and was unavailable David Robertson, who pitched in Thursday’s game was found to have tendonitis in his shoulder and will be out for several days. Shawn Kelley is also not available for approximately one week.

Phil Hughes, removed from the rotation for David Huff, made his first relief appearance of the season. In the seventh, he gave up three hits and a walk on 0.1 inning, all of whom scored. Hughes honestly commented on his performance, “The stuff was flat. It was a terrible inning. It cost us big time.”

Hughes was followed by Boone Logan who also lasted 0.1 inning. The second batter he faced, Mike Napoli, just cleared the glove of right fielder Ichiro Suzuki for his second grand slam against New York in 2013. The game was tied at 8 at the end of seven.

Logan explained the problem that will have him undergo an MRI on Saturday, “It’s been a long year. I felt a little tightness 2-3 pitches into Napoli’s at bat.”

The story of the previous game was repeated as other relievers gave up four additional runs in the eighth to Boston. Preston Claiborne, the losing pitcher, and Joba Chamberlain each surrendered runs in their respective 0.2 inning stints.

Several spoke of the need for those left in the pen to succeed. Hughes said, “We have to find a way to get it done and not let a quality start go to waste.” The Yankee manager remarked, “It’s a chance for other guys to shine and they’re going to have to do it.”

David Huff (2-0) and John Lackey (8-12) will be the starting pitchers in game three on Saturday afternoon.

Bad Sox

Heartbreak Over Loss

Yankees almost had it against the Red Sox in another important game that goes as a loss

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 6- This was a game the New York Yankees thought they had and just as quick it went away as a loss. It took 10 innings and over four hours, a typical Yankees-Red Sox game. It is September and a post season drive for the Yankees and for them it is more important.

The Yankees are 11-6 since coming back to beat the Red Sox, 9-6, a few weeks back up in Fenway Park. It was Alex Rodriquez who hit a home run then off Red Sox starter Ryan Dempster. Four innings before that, he got hit by Dempster in the first inning. That has claimed to be, what has rejuvenated this Yankees team.

A claim to make September interesting and make a push for playing baseball In October, and after a heart breaking 9-8 loss in the Bronx Thursday evening, the Yankees know how crucial this loss was.

“Tough loss,” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. His closer Mariano Rivera recorded his sixth blown save of the season. With two outs in the ninth, Steven Drew singled to right-center and drove in Quintin Berry for the tying run.

You can’t expect Rivera, the all-time saves leader and with 41 this season to close them all. Even if it is September and his team is fighting for a spot to play in October, the best can’t be perfect. Berry came in to run for Mike Napoli who would steal second and advance on a throwing error by catcher Austin Romine.

“Its’ part of the game,” explained Rivera. It was a tough one. We have to forget about it.”

Romaine will also have to bounce back. He could not handle a throw to home from Ichiro Suzuki that could have nailed Jacoby Ellsbury. The eventual winning run scored in the 10th as the ball eluded Romaine at the plate. Maybe if he was closer to the plate the Red Sox don’t score.

It was a bad inning for Romaine who failed to nail Ellsbury from going to second.

“I held on the ball too long,’ said Romaine about the play at home. “Ball was short hopped… could have done a little better back there tonight.” He came in for Chris Stewart who was pinch hit for in the seventh, the inning where the Yankees came from behind and scored six runs on five hits.

The Yankees overcame a five-run deficit, and have at least one inning of four or more runs scored in each of their last four games. 

Joba Chamberlain will have to forget about this one also. He got the loss in a 10th inning that saw the Red Sox score the decisive run, and quietly getting ejected for barking at a call he thought should have went the Yankees way on a check swing third strike to Shane Victorino.

It was a tenth inning the Yankees want to forget and all that was heard in the clubhouse was, “We have to bounce back tomorrow.” Every game counts, with 22 remaining, and it will be up to Andy Pettitte on the mound Friday night to hope and get the Yankees to bounce back.

But, these are the Boston Red Sox who scored 20-runs the night before against the league leading hitting Tigers. Ivan Nova started for the Yankees and threw 58 pitches in two innings. The Red Sox scored two runs, though the Yankees and Nova got a break when Jacoby Ellsbury hit a ground rule double that bounced over the center field wall that scored Will Middlebrook.

Nova was fortunate to get out of the inning giving up only two runs. The three –hit inning and two walks, one intentional to David Ortiz, ended when he caught Mike Napoli looking with the bases loaded.

It was going to be that typical Yankees-Red Sox game. New York came back in their half of the inning scoring two runs off Boston starter Jake Peavy who recorded a no-decision, Robinson Cano with the bases loaded, off a good  Derek Jeter at bat, who walked, lined a ball to right that almost cleared the wall and went for a two-run double.

It went on with the Yankees and Red Sox scoring runs. There were six stolen bases by the Yankees, a season high, including one by David Wells in the six-run five-hit seventh that put the Yankees ahead, 8-7 and their third big inning on this home stand that happened also this week with Baltimore and the White Sox.

And there was the go-ahead single, and what the Yankees thought would be the winning run from Lyle Overbay in that seventh inning, a run that would not stand up.

There was that bottom of the ninth inning when it appeared these comeback Yankees were headed to a last at bat walk-off win. Alfonso Soriano would draw a walk and steal second after the Red Sox botched the pick-off attempt. With Curtis Granderson at the plate, Soriano got nailed trying to take third that went from the pitcher-to third-to shortstop- to second.

“Just trying to go to third,” claimed Soriano who has been a major part of this post season playoff push in the Bronx. It is a stretch of baseball being played in the Bronx that did not go the Yankees way in the first of four against the rival Red Sox.

There is more to come for sure, Friday night in the Bronx.

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com  Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso

Comeback Kids

Yanks 5 Run 8th Results in 6-4 Win over White Sox

You Know You're Bad When A-Rod's Hitting Off You

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 4- For the second time in less than one month, pitchers Hiroki Kuroda and Chris Sale started a game versus one another. On August 6 at U.S. Cellular Field, both hurlers pitched effectively, but Sale earned the win and Kuroda the loss in a 3-2 White Sox win.

In that contest, Sale gave up only one unearned run and five hits in 7.1 innings while Kuroda yielded three runs and nine hits in seven.

The two starters have been travelling in different directions since that day. Before Wednesday’s game began, Sale had won four of the last five, lasted at least seven innings in each contest and yielded only more than three runs in the loss.

On the other hand, Kuroda lost four of five, lasted fewer than seven frames in three games and surrendered at least three in each of the defeats.

One circumstance the two capable hurlers share is the lack of run support they have received from their teammates in 2013. Sale is third lowest in the majors with an average support of only 3.19 per game. Chicago scored a total of 14 runs in Sale’s 12 losses and was shut out in five of those games.

Kuroda’s support from his teammates is barely higher. He has a run support average off 3.26. The Yanks scored 18 runs in the 10 games in which Kuroda received a loss and were shut out twice.

The lack of run support has given both distorted won/loss marks as each has an ERA of less than three runs per nine innings.

Their performances on Wednesday night appeared to follow the recent pattern. Kuroda gave up four runs in 6.1 innings on the mound.

Second sacker Gordon Beckham doubled in the first and scored on a single by Adam Dunn.

Alexi Ramirez hit a two-run triple in the fifth and Alejando De Aza, the last batter Kuroda faced, blasted a solo home run in the seventh.

The only run scored off Sale, while he was still on the mound, was greatly aided by the inept fielding of the White Sox infielders. Vernon Wells beat out an infield single with one out. He moved ahead thanks to two Chicago infield errors and scored on the front end of a double steal.

After Sale fanned Brett Gardner in the bottom of the eighth, the end result seemed near to many. Those without faith in the revamped Yankee lineup were in for a big surprise.

Derek Jeter singled and was followed by Robinson Cano, who doubled. Manager Robin Ventura removed his ace. Although Sale had thrown 114 pitches, he exceeded that amount in eight previous starts this year.

The Yankee offense was only beginning the damage that would continue against three Chicago relievers that inning. Alfonso Soriano doubled in two runs off Nate Jones. The two earned runs were added to the account of Sale. Alex Rodriguez followed with a single and pinch hitter Curtis Granderson tied the game with a single. With two out, Eduardo Nuñez drove in the winning runs with a double.

Mariano Rivera retired the side in the ninth to earn his 40th save. Rivera, annoyed by questions asking if he had changed his mind regarding retirement, spoke about the importance of the result of the contest, “We won. That’s the most important thing. It was a big game for us.”

The win was the Yanks eighth of their last nine home games. The White Sox are now 0-5 in their current road trip.

The Yanks hope to sweep the three game series on Thursday evening with C.C. Sabathia (12-11) starting against Erik Johnson, who will be making his major league debut.