Yanks Lose to Murphy's Law

Yanks Lose to Murphy's Law

Bombers Give Up 5 runs in 14th Inning

Jeter Goes 0-7

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 3- It took more than five hours and almost 500 pitches were thrown between the pitchers of both teams. The final out was recorded a few minutes before 1 a.m. Saturday morning with very few remaining at Yankee Stadium. It was one of those games in the Bronx that the New York Yankees want to forget after losing a 14-inning marathon to the Tampa Bay Rays, 10-5.

The starters, David Price of Tampa and Vidal Numo of the Yankees were long gone and of course did not figure in the decision. 

The Yankees will have to depend on Masahiro Tanaka to go deep Saturday because manager Joe Girardi used every available arm in the bullpen, except David Phelps. Instead it was rookie Chris leroux who gave up five-runs in the Rays’ 14th inning.

It was one of those nights into the early morning, in the Bronx, and the Yankees did have their chances leaving 13- men on base. The two teams combined for 38 hits, 20 coming from the Rays.

“It’s tough,” commented Girardi in a hasty and brief post game meeting with the media.”We had some opportunities later in the game. We weren’t able to get it done.” It was also the 1,000th game for Girardi as Yankees manager, the sixth manager in their history to reach that mark.

And this one will long be remembered by Girardi, and his team hopes to not let the loss linger with a few hours sleep. The Yankees squandered opportunities in the12th and 13th innings stranding runners on third with less than two outs, which promoted Girardi to say, “Days like this we gotta find ways to scratch some runs.”

And for the first time in his career, Derek Jeter had a 0-for-7 game at the plate. He’s gone hitless in a game 596 other games in his illustrious career, but nothing like this. It was that type of unusual game in the Bronx, and the longest game the Yankees have played against Tampa Bay.

“I don’t know man, it was just a weird game,” said Jeter.  “I don’t even remember the first four of them (at bats). No one wants to go, 0 for…what?” Regardless, Jeter’s hitless game will go in the record books but won’t be inscribed when his day arrives for induction in the Baseball hall of Fame.

Girardi is looking for Tanaka can provide some length, as he said, “Our bullpen’s a mess, no doubt about it.”  He used the entire bullpen, with exception of Phelps who is slated to start one of the games next week in Los Angeles against the Angels, and they threw a total of 182 pitches.

Jeter added, “Strange things happen, funny things happen.” And right now it is not funny for the Yankees who have to be concerned that numerous issues as they take a three-game losing streak into their game Saturday. One thing the Yankees don’t need is another marathon. The good thing, Tanaka is on the mound and he has been everything that was advertised in his first five starts.

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

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Park Shooter Found Guilty

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Park Shooter Found Guilty: Park Shooter Found Guilty Young Gunman Convicted in Double Homicide BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 2- District Attorney Robert T. Johnson annou...

Park Shooter Found Guilty

Park Shooter Found Guilty

Young Gunman Convicted in Double Homicide

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 2- District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced the jury finding of guilty in a triple-shooting, double-homicide case that took place in the vicinity of Devoe Park, University Avenue and Fordham Road, on April 7, 2011.

After a five-week trial in Bronx Supreme Court, the jury found Yenfri Ramirez, age 16 at the time of the crime, guilty of murder in the second degree, manslaughter in the first degree, assault in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.

The shooting took place in Devoe Park, following a fight that involved Ramirez’ brother. A number of individuals began pursuing Ramirez through the park, and when they got to the corner of Fordham Road and West University Place, Ramirez pulled out a gun and fired three shots, fatally shooting Edwin Liz, age 17, in the back of the neck, and fatally wounding Allan Matos, age 22, in the back. A third gunshot hit Efren Estrada, age 39, in the leg. He survived his wounds.

An eyewitness at the scene identified the defendant at a lineup the next day, and a police officer also witnessed the killings. 

Sentencing is scheduled for May 15, 2014 before Justice Barbara Newman in Part T 24. Murder in the second degree carries a prison term up to 25 years to life.  Manslaughter in the first degree carries a maximum of 25 years. Assault in the second degree carries a prison term up to 7 years. The weapons charge carries a prison term of up to 15 years behind bars. 

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yanks Shut Down

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yanks Shut Down: Yanks Shut Down Rookie pitcher from Cuba leads Mariners to sweep over Yankees By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 2-  Roenis E...

Yanks Shut Down

Yanks Shut Down

Rookie pitcher from Cuba leads Mariners to sweep over Yankees

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 2- Roenis Elias was not supposed to get the start for the Seattle Mariners in their three-game series against the Yankees in the Bronx. Felix Hernandez was supposed to close the three-game series the night before, but rain forced a postponement. The 25-year old left-hander got his opportunity Thursday night.

Perhaps, the Yankees would have preferred Hernandez because Elias, a defector from Cuba, in his sixth professional start gave the Yankees more than they were looking for as the Mariners swept the abbreviated two-game series, 4-2. After giving up a first inning home run to Jacoby Ellsbury, the first for the Yankees center fielder, he used a curve and fastball that were impressive.

He tossed seven-innings, struck out a career-high 10, allowing two runs and six hits. And only one run was earned due to a Mariners error in the third inning. Elias was impressive and the spotlight of pitching at Yankee Stadium added no added pressure. Of the 110 pitches he threw, 73 went for strikes.

The Mariners won their fourth straight at Yankee Stadium going back to last season. But the story was Elias who made an impression on Yankees manager Joe Girardi. The Yankees could not deal with the fastball and curve. After the sixth inning, they did not get a hit until pinch hitter Ichiro Suzuki got a two-out single in the ninth off closer Fernando Rodney.

"He was hitting his spots. He was getting ahead. He pitched a good game. He's got a good arm,” said the Yankees Derek Jeter about the rookie pitcher. "Sometimes pitchers are going to be better than you. He threw really well. He's not a typical lefty who tries to trick you. He gets it up there pretty good.”

Said Girardi: “He used his fastball and curve effectively…pretty good stuff.” After the Ellsbury home run, Elias, who spent last year pitching for Double- A Jackson with 14 of 22 quality starts, limited the Yankees to five hits.

“The adrenaline comes from the spotlight," Elias said through a translator. "I've never been to the stadium so it was good to come here and beat the Yankees. I've seen it on TV but never been here." Elias became the third rookie pitcher at Yankee Stadium to strike out 10 or more batters at Yankee Stadium.

The manager, Lloyd McClendon had Elias slated to pitch this weekend. The rain-out moved Hernandez to another day and Elias got his chance. He got the call Wednesday night from pitching Coach Rick Waits Wednesday night that he would get the ball.

“The young man threw a tremendous game,” commented McClendon. “We thought he'd be OK in this environment. The young man is tough."

Facing Derek Jeter and the Yankees, especially for the first time is a challenge. The fastball was clocked over 90 and the curve had the Yankees hitters fooled. Throw in the fact that the Yankees are having issues getting the timely hit and again they had to come from behind. Elias made sure to keep his composure.

All of the first 28 batters he faced saw strikes.

“You have to get ready mentally,” said Elias who uses the fastball as his number one pitch. “After a couple of innings I felt more comfortable and took control.

Girardi did not seem concerned that his offense went cold. “It’s early in the season,” he said. “Obviously consistency is important. It will come.” He has to be more concerned about the state of his starting pitching. Hiroki Kuroda (2-3) gave up four runs, three earned on seven hits in six innings. In his previous start, Friday night against the Angels, he gave up a career- high eight runs in 4.21 innings, in a Yankees 13-1 loss.

"I think it's a step in the right direction," Girardi said. "A lot of nights that's going to be good enough to win.”

But it was not good enough for the Yankees who welcome division rival Tampa Bay to the Bronx for the next three games. The rotation is struggling also with Ivan Nova disabled for the season and Michael Pineda serving a suspension and headed to the disabled list.

As for Robinson Cano, his return to the Bronx was met with boos from the Yankee Stadium crowd. And in two games, he went 2-for-9 with three runs batted in. His double and two RBI were the difference Thursday night.

“Both days felt good because both days we won, so it has to feel good," Cano said. "There weren't any expectations from the crowd today. I just wanted to go out and take care of business. You have to understand the fans, but it is not going to be a distraction for me."

But Cano and the Yankees were not the story this night. A kid from Cuba, named Elias, may have turned himself into a pitching sensation at Yankee Stadium.

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

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Wrestling Returns to Bx.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Wrestling Returns to Bx.: 100 PERCENT By Robert Press Wrestling Returns to Bx. (Photos by Robert Press) BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 1- ECPW Wrestling returned to Morris ...

Wrestling Returns to Bx.

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

Wrestling Returns to Bx.

(Photos by Robert Press)

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 1- ECPW Wrestling returned to Morris Park last Saturday night, and there was no grudge political match between Senator Jeff “I Get it Done” Klein and his likely challenger Oliver “I Was Attorney General” Koppell. 

There were however many exciting wrestling matches that were enjoyed by the hundreds of people who attended the event at St. Francis Xavier School. Marty Jannetti, Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, Bushwaker Luke, and many other exciting wrestlers went after each other and at times replied to the calls from the crowd. The wrestlers came out when announced and many either walked around the ring to greet the crowd or went right into the ring to climb the ropes in the corners to show themselves off. Before the program began and during the intermission many of the wrestlers were available for autographs and photos.

The opening match was a tag team event which the good guys won of course. Next came two singles matches, one that involved Bushwacker Luke. When he came out Luke did his famous Bushwacker walk around the ring raising and lowering both his arms. Luke wound up the winner after a tough match, and you can read more and see photos at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com including the match between Greg “The Hammer” Valentine and ECPW champion Andrew Anderson. The last match had a special note to Marty Jannetti's partner The New Dynamite Kid. After Jannetti and the Kid won, The New Dynamite Kid announced that after 20 years in the ring that he would be retiring. He later told me that it was due to back and knee problems. On the blog among the many photos is one of Marty Jannetti, The New Dynamite Kid, and his mother who was in the audience to see her son's last wrestling match.

Last Saturday was also the renaming of the corner of Matilda Avenue and East 237^th Street Mary V. Lauro Way in honor of Ms. Mary V. Lauro who was the President of the Wakefield Taxpayers & Civic League for 25 years until her death last June. Ms. Virginia Sanders the new president was in charge of the street renaming and introducing the many elected officials who came and spoke about what Mary Lauro meant to them. It seemed though that each one said that they listened to what Mary Lauro said to them, and they did what she wanted done. The one sign that many said was that Mary Lauro was still watching over the neighborhood was that when her niece was pulling the cover off the street sign the rope broke. Check my blog for the names of the elected officials and photos of the event.

Bronx Week will be among us soon, as the official announcement of all the activities will be made public on Monday May 5^th. Bronx week runs from Thursday, May 8^th through Sunday, May 18^th ending with the Bronx Week Parade across Mosholu Parkway, and the Music and Food Festival after the parade.

Three Bronx City Council members are holding an Oversight Joint Committee Hearing on Operation Crew Cut and Crime Reduction Strategies at NYCHA. Council members Fernando Cabrera (chair of Juvenile Justice), Ritchie Torres (chair of Public Housing), and Vanessa Gibson (chair of Public Safety) will seek answers from the NYPD, Manhattan DA's office, and others as to why one third of all the shootings in 2011 were committed by youth members of gangs or what is now being called Youth Crews and what is being done to lower that number.

It was typical of the Bloomberg administration to change the names of things he did not want people to remember. This happened most often in city agencies where there were huge problems. Apparently this seems to be another case of that by changing the word gang to crew so people would not know the real problem such as the council members have found out.

Lastly, just why has Mayor Bill de Blasio been pushing the ban on horse drawn carriages in the city? Could it be the contribution to his campaign of $175,000 by NYCLASS a union reported to be tied to his cousin John Wilhelm? The FBI is probing into that, the NYCLASS involvement in the “Anybody But Quinn” campaign, and political consultant Scott Levenson and his consulting firm the Advance Group. Mayor de Blasio has said that he is unaware of any probe into the issue by the FBI. In a statement from the Advance Group Mr. Levenson said that he was proud of his firms role in the mayor’s race. Scott Levenson and Advance Group were the political consultants to Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj during his primary challenge and victory over former Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera.

If you have any comments about this column or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on my blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnew@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Deli Turned into Drive-Thru

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Deli Turned into Drive-Thru: Deli Turned into Drive-Thru (Photo by David Greene) A driver lost control of his vehicle and slammed into the front door of a deli, but t...

Deli Turned into Drive-Thru

Deli Turned into Drive-Thru

(Photo by David Greene)

A driver lost control of his vehicle and slammed into the front door of a deli, but thankfully no serious injuries were reported. Police were called to 401 East Tremont Avenue at Webster Avenue at 1 a.m. on April 18. Luckily, the popular 24-hour store recently closed for renovations to the building and the vehicle was removed the late the following day.  

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Deadly Week for Men, Women and Children of the Bro...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Deadly Week for Men, Women and Children of the Bro...: Deadly Week for Men, Women and Children of the Bronx By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 1- Detectives across the borough are piec...

Deadly Week for Men, Women and Children of the Bronx

Deadly Week for Men, Women and Children of the Bronx

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 1- Detectives across the borough are piecing together three separate incidents that claimed the life of a man who was shot, a young woman stabbed and a young child who fell to death.

Rescue workers were called to the River Park Towers in the University Heights section at 5 p.m. on April 23, when police say Sidy Fofana, 9, fell from a still-undetermined height.

The child's body landed on top of a scaffold and he died instantly.

Police say the child had been visiting an uncle's apartment on the 43rd floor, but police were working on the theory that the 4th grader went up to the roof of 20 Richman Plaza.

On April 26, police and paramedics were called to 2600 Creston Avenue in the Fordham Heights section after a woman was reported to have been stabbed one time in the chest.

Authorities say Jasmine Canton, 19, was arguing with her assailant before he stabbed her at 9:30 a.m. inside the basement entrance of 2600 Creston Avenue at East 193 Street. She died prior to reaching St. Barnabas Hospital.

Police sources say Canton, a former student of Jane Adams Vocational High School, had several arrests for prostitution.

Investigators have released surveillance footage of the suspect who is described as a Hispanic man between 20 and 30 years of age, wearing black pants and a black North Face jacket.

The NYPD has posted a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator in Canton's death.

Police believe a possible road-rage incident may have resulted in the death of Jahbar Campbell, 22, who was found shot to death inside a U-haul truck in Eastchester.

Cops were called to Reeds Mill Lane at the New England Thruway at 9:30 p.m. on April 26. They discovered the van had been shot up before crashing.

Campbell had been shot multiple times and died at the scene.

Police were looking for the driver of the U-haul truck who fled the scene after the crash and the gunman, described as a male black wearing a gray hooded jacket. A police source stated he fled in a red Jeep Cherokee.

As of April 20, the NYPD reported 19 murders in the Bronx so far this year, compared with just 14 during the same time period last year.

Anyone with any information on any of the above incidents can call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls remain confidential.     

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fair Bidding in Contract?

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fair Bidding in Contract?: Fair Bidding in Contract? Fuggedaboutit! Lowest Bid Doesn’t Squat Here By Michael Horowitz BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 1- A Public Safety office...

Fair Bidding in Contract?

Fair Bidding in Contract?
Fuggedaboutit!

Lowest Bid Doesn’t Squat Here

By Michael Horowitz

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 1- A Public Safety officer and a management employee rudely derided a bid by Hagedorn Communications to print the Co-op City Times, a messenger for the City News publisher said this week.

The messenger said that the management employees indicated that it was a “big waste of time” for Hagedorn Communications to bid on the printing contract even though the contract is supposed to be awarded, under the terms of state housing law, to the lowest qualified bidder.

Deadline Printing, a subsidiary of Hagedorn Communications that is separate and apart from City News, was the low bidder in the recent competition for the Co-op City Times printing contract.

However, board members, complaining about City News’ coverage of Co-op City, in 2012, denied the printing contract to Deadline Printing, then the low bidder for the Co-op City Times printing contract.

“It’s outrageous that management’s hatred for City News seems to filter down throughout Co-op City’s workforce,” Christopher Hagedorn, editor and publisher of City News, said this week. “The coverage of Co-op City in the City News has nothing to do with the ability of Deadline Printing to competently print the Co-op City Times.

The City News publisher noted, “It seems obvious to me that top officials in Co-op City’s management are engaged in an effort to poison the Riverbay Corporation’s workforce in opposition to our interests. We won’t be intimidated by a Public Safety officer and a management official who refuse to treat employees of Hagedorn Communication in a dignified and professional manner.”

Hagedorn added, “This time around, as matter of principal, I plan to pursue the Co-op City Times contract very aggressively. We won’t accept being denied the printing contract because we are clearly the lowest qualified bidder for the job.”

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): From Hero to Zero

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): From Hero to Zero: From Hero to Zero Ca$h is King #Cano gets Bronx Cheer from Fan Faithful By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 30- Robinson Cano, one of ...

From Hero to Zero

From Hero to Zero

Ca$h is King #Cano gets Bronx Cheer from Fan Faithful

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 30- Robinson Cano, one of the premier players in MLB, was the center of attention at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday. For the first time he made his debut with the New York Yankees in 2005, Cano dressed in the visitor’s clubhouse and wore the uniform of the visiting club, the Seattle Mariners.

Several days earlier, Cano prophesied his feelings on the day of his return, “It’s going to be weird. It’s going to feel a lot different being on the other side.” 

Cano was on the Yankee side since he signed as a non-drafted free agent at the age of 17 on January 5, 2001. Interestingly, Cano’s father, Jose, was also drafted and signed by the Yankees. After several minor league seasons, he made his big league debut on May 3, 2005.

The native of the baseball hotbed of San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic compiled outstanding statistics and received many honors during his nine seasons with the Yanks. 

The five-time American League All-Star, the last four as the starting second sacker, was a winner of the Silver Slugger five times and the Gold Glove twice. 

He has been especially effective in the last five years averaging 99 runs scored, 103 runs batted in, a batting average of .314, a slugging average of .530 and an on-base percentage of .369 per season. Cano was the winner of the 2012 Home Run Derby, and was named the MVP of the 2013 World Baseball Classic (WBC), leading his nation, the Dominican Republic to the championship with a batting average of .469.

Not surprisingly, his recent performances increased the interest by teams other than the Yankees to obtain the services of Cano for the future. To the shock of many and the disappointment and anger of Yankee rooters, Cano signed a 10-year contract worth $240 million with the Mariners on December 12, 2013. 

In a pre-game press conference in Yankee Stadium on Tuesday afternoon, Cano refused to be trapped by questions in English or Spanish that attempted to get him to discuss his contract negotiations or to criticize the Yankees, “I just want to move on and not talk about the past. I’m just happy to be back and see those guts again that I played with.”

Prior to the game, the new Mariner expressed hope that the New York fans would remember his nine years and react well to him “Hopefully, I’ll be treated nice by the fans.” In spite of his high hopes, he did show understanding of the psyche of partisan sports fans, “I know I’m not a Yankee anymore. I have to understand the reaction of the fans.”

Loud boos were heard after the mention of his name in the pre-game introductions. Those jeers paled in comparison to the negative reception he received when he walked to the plate for his first at bat. The booing did not cease until Cano took a third strike which was cheered. 

The Seattle second baseman struck out again in the eighth, but drove in a run in the fifth with a ground ball out. He got an infield single, stole a base and scored in the seventh. 

The game is now behind him, so hopefully the fans can concentrate on rooting for the success of their team rather than for someone’s failure.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Remembering an Icon

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Remembering an Icon: Remembering an Icon Street Named After Fierce Fighter for Community By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 28- It was a cool windy morning...

Remembering an Icon

Remembering an Icon

Street Named After Fierce Fighter for Community

By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 28- It was a cool windy morning as the crowd gathered at the corner of Matilda Avenue and East 237th Street in the Wakefield section of the Bronx to honor Mary Lauro who passed away last June. 

Who was Mary Lauro you may say? Mary Lauro was a resident of Wakefield for over 50 years. Mary Lauro was the president of the the Wakefield Taxpayers & Civic League Inc. for 25 years which was founded in 1913. It was her civic work in many areas, including being a member of Community Board 12, that so many elected officials came for this street renaming in her honor. Mary Lauro also wrote a column in this newspaper where, as always, she never backed down on issues, one being why several homeless shelters were being built by Mayor Bloomberg in the Wakefield area. 

As they spoke each elected official mentioned the fact that Mary Lauro had something to say of them and what Mary Lauro had meant to them. Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson said "Mary Lauro was the director of the office of Accountability". 

State senator Jeff Klein spoke of the mortgage problems in the Wakefield area she had him assist her on. Assemblyman Carl Heastie said that Mary Lauro cared about White Plains Road and the entire community. Congressman Eliot Engel mentioned that he read into the 113th Congressional Record a statement about Mary Lauro and her never ending work and love for her community. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz said that all the elected officials on hand would be afraid if they had not come to honor such a great woman. 

Community Board 12 Chairman Father Richard Gorman an advisor of Mary Lauro on many issues said that her work is far from done, and more people like Mary Lauro are needed to help improve the community. The sister of Mary Lauro said that Mary is missed by the family, but the family did not know how much she is missed by the community.

Councilman Andy King and former Councilman Oliver Koppell sponsored the legislation for the street sign bearing the name "Mary V. Lauro Way". Ms. Virginia Saunders has taken over as President of the Wakefield Taxpayers & Civic League Inc., and will have some very large shoes to fill.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Walton Dominates with 16-Run First Inning

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Walton Dominates with 16-Run First Inning: Walton Dominates with 16-Run First Inning (Photos by Gary Quintal) By Gary Quintal BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 28- Walton Campus exploded for ...

Walton Dominates with 16-Run First Inning

Walton Dominates with 16-Run First Inning

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Gary Quintal

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 28- Walton Campus exploded for a 16-run first inning against fellow Bronx A East division rival Taft Campus Friday evening in PSAL baseball action.  

The (5-2) Walton Wildcats cruised to an 18-1 victory putting them 2 games back of (8-2) James Monroe Campus while Taft falls to 2-6.  

Walton seeks to gain ground this week as they face JFK, Lehman, and Roosevelt while Monroe also plays Lehman in addition to Samuel Gompers this week. 

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): John Ryan Murphy, Yankees

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): John Ryan Murphy, Yankees: Newbies Save the Day for Yankees By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 27- A win or a loss in an individual baseball game is never the pro...

John Ryan Murphy, Yankees

Newbies Save the Day for Yankees

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 27- A win or a loss in an individual baseball game is never the product of one player’s performance. While writers and fans find it simplistic and thus easy to point to one player or one play as the cause for either the victory or defeat, the resaons are usually more complex.

On Saturday afternoon, the Yankees defeated the Angels, 4-3. The pitch count was 286, there were 67 official at bats, five batters drew walks, two pitchers balked. Some happenings were more crucial than others in determining the final outcome.

This article will focus on the performances of three lesser known and more recent players to join the team, who played critical roles in the Yankee victory. The Yankees starter Vidal Nuno, 26 years old, appeared in five games for the Yanks in 2013 and was making his fifth appearance and second start this year on Saturday. With Ivan Nova currently on the disabled list and Michael Pineda on suspension, other Yankees are being called upon for extra duty.

Nuno gave up a home run to the second batter in the game. To put that fact in truer perspective the batter was Mike Trout, arguably the best player in baseball. The homer was Trout’s sixth in 2014 and the run batted in his 15th. Later in the game, off different pitchers, Trout drew two walks, singled and stole a base. His batting average is .313.

The California native of Mexican descent yielded two runs in the fourth after retiring all six batters he faced in the second and third innings. The fourth began with the second straight single hit by future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols. Of course, Pujols has little problem with any Yankee hurler. In limited at bats, he is 17 for 47. The next batter, Howie Kendrick, who holds the highest batting average against the Yanks-.357, walked. Both scored before the inning ended.

The score was tied when Nuno was removed after 4.1 innings, giving up three runs and five hits. Yankee skipper Joe Girardi said Nuno was not as impressive as in his last start (zero runs in five frames) on April 20, but “he gave us a chance to win. He’ll be out there in six days.”

The four relievers for each club did not allow a run to score. Dellin Betances, who followed Nuno earned the win. Betances, 26 years of age, pitched in only two games in 2011 and six last year for the Yanks. Saturday’s relief effort was his ninth appearance this season.

Betances gave up a single and a walk in two innings of work. Girardi commented very favorably on the native New Yorker, “He got a lot of big outs for us today. This was the toughest challenge we’ve given him. He’s had to change roles and had to fight to get here.”

The 6-8 hurler spoke of the effort he makes, “I’m just trying to go out there and make my pitches. I want to do the best I can to help.”

Thanks to a lead-off first pitch home run in the fifth by catcher John Ryan Murphy, Betances obtained his first major league win. Betances commented, “It was good to get the first win, especially from the bullpen. I feel the win goes for myself and everybody who got in the game.”

He had special words of commendation for Murphy, “I’m so happy for him. He did the job today. I’ve gotten to know him in the last few years.”

While the home run was the game winning run batted in, Murphy also got the other two runs batted in for the Yanks. He drove in two runs in the second. The third run in that inning scored on a balk by Hector Santiago.  

Girardi said of Murphy, 22, who was in 16 games for the Yanks last year, “He’ll never forget it. Huge day. Great job behind home plate. It means even more because we won the game by one run and he did it.”

Murphy received the game ball after hitting his first homer in the majors. Of the ball, he explained, “[I’ll] probably give it to my mother and let her decide what to do with it.”

The starting pitchers in the rubber game of the three game set which will begin late on Sunday night are two undefeated pitchers, Masahiro Tanaka for New York and Garrett Richards for Los Angeles.

 

 

Yanks Play Like They Were Cursed

Yanks Play Like They Were Cursed

 Kuroda Bombs, Angels Clobber Yanks, 13-1

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 26- Returning from a road trip which found starter Ivan Nova injured, needing surgery, and out for the rest of the 2014 season and starter Michael Pineda suspended for 10 games, starter Hiroki Kuroda began the homestand on Friday night with his worst performance of the young season.

Kuroda was removed from the game by Yanks skipper Joe Girardi after 4.2 innings after surrendering 10 hits and 8 runs, 6 earned. In his previous 26 starts, since May 28, 2013, Kuroda had pitched a minimum of five innings. The current holder of the highest streak of games of at least five innings pitched is Kuroda’s countryman, Yu Darvish with 56.

Kuroda spoke critically off his performance, “Right now, some pitches are inconsistent. I need to improve my breaking ball. I need to make an adjustment.”

Two veterans, Albert Pujols and Raúl Ibañez, beagn the hit parade for the Angels with singles in the first inning. The first three batters in the second inning, Ian Stewart, Erick Aybar and Hank Conger, hit safely and later in the inning scored.

With two out in the third, second sacker Howie Kendrick singled and was driven in on a two-run homer by Stewart.

Pujols, leading off the fifth, drilled a 1-1 pitch into the leftfield stands for his ninth home run of the year and the 501st of his career in the majors. He became the 26th player to reach 500 four baggers three days earlier. Now in his 14th season, Pujols, off to an excellent start, had only once, 2006, reached his ninth homer in the season sooner than game #22. The nine homer in April tied an Angels mark set by Brian Downing in 2006.

Pujols is the first righty to hit a home run off Kuroda in 10 starts. The last was Edwin Encarnación on August 28, 2013. The last righthand batter to homer off him in Yankee Stadium was Jose Iglesias on June 2, 2013.

Although the outcome was already decided when Kuroda left the field, the Angels left nothing to chance by scoring five runs off Yankee relievers. Four were driven in by homers in the seventh. Aybar blasted a three run home run and, two batters later, Colin Cowgill hit a solo homer.

The Yankee offense was halted by Los Angeles starter CJ Wilson. In six innings, he yielded only four hits and one run to earn his third win of the season.

The second game of the series will be plated on Saturday afternoon with Vidal Nuno starting for the Yanks and Hector Santiago for the Angels.

 

 

Why are we still paying Con Ed.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Con Ed: Why Are We Still Paying Con Ed? By Michael Horowitz BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 25- Management officials now have a new story for the community’s...

Fordham News: Con ed

Fordham News: Con ed: Why Are We Still Paying Con Ed? By Michael Horowitz BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 25- Management officials now have a new story for the community’s...

Con Ed

Why Are We Still Paying Con Ed?

By Michael Horowitz

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 25- Management officials now have a new story for the community’s merchants.

Can you believe that officials in the Riverbay Corporation’s Finance Department are now blaming Con Edison for the massive electricity-rate hikes that they have been asked to pay in recent months?

That’s pretty startling when you consider the fact that management officials, for years, had told the local community that Co-op City’s cogeneration plant would save the Riverbay Corporation more than $20 million per year be enabling the community to generate electricity without Con Edison.

That narrative changed, early last year, when Riverbay board member Daryl Johnson, an anti-management watchdog on the board who is seeking reelection to a three-year term, revealed that Co-op City had, in fact, paid Con Edison $17 million over the previous two years.

Con Edison, Johnson learned, at the time, was being paid millions of dollars per year to provide backup electricity in the event of a blackout at the cogeneration plant.

“It’s really absurd, under the circumstances, that Co-op City’s Finance Department has the audacity to blame Con Edison for the whopping increases in our electricity rates that were put into effect early this year,” one merchant said. “I’m sitting here wondering what kind of excuses the management of Co-op City is going to come up with the next time that they implement an increase in our charges.

In recent years, Co-op City’s Finance Department has come under attack from the community’s merchants for whopping increases in charges and sloppy bookkeeping.

Last year, the merchants faced whopping increases in charges for commercial real-estate taxes, largely because Co-op City’s Finance Department, for years, had failed to bill merchants for the taxes.

Lou Salegna, the Riverbay Corporation’s comptroller, said, at the time, that merchants hadn’t been billed for the taxes because Co-op City’s computer programs hadn’t included a line for these charges.

To this day, management fails to include the kinds of cost breakdowns for tax and electricity charges that are common in the real-estate industry, an informed source told City News this week.

Dim Bulbs!

Dim Bulbs!

Community Still Getting Con Ed Bill Even though they Spent $90M to Build Own Power Plant

By Michael Horowitz

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 25- Riverbay assistant treasurer Daryl Johnson startled the community, early last year, with a revelation that Co-op City had paid Con Edison $17 million over the previous two years to help provide electricity to the local community.

Johnson’s revelation was especially striking, since the Co-op City Times and City News had repeatedly reported, in recent years, that the Riverbay Corporation’s cogeneration plant, which cost $90 million to build, had enabled the community to generate electricity without Con Edison.

In recent years, Johnson, who has an extensive background in auditing, has been compiling financial data aimed at bolstering his case that fiscal waste is rampant at the Riverbay Corporation.

Putting this seeming waste into perspective, an expenditure of $17 million represents approximately 17 percent in carrying charges.

Asked to comment on his startling revelation about $17 million in payments to Con Edison, Johnson said, last year, that he was looking into the matter and its implications relating to management, the Riverbay board, and the Co-op City community as a whole.

“We need to investigate about what’s going on in terms of how Co-op City spends its money in this and a wide assortment of other areas,” Johnson stressed, in a telephone interview last year.. “It’s really hard to piece something like this together when you’re dealing with a management that stonewalls you as much as possible.”

Informed observers, commenting last year, stressed that they found it more than a bit strange that Co-op City, which has had a state-of-the art cogeneration plant since 2009, paid Con Edison $17 million over the last two years to help generate electricity for the local community.

One shareholder, upon hearing about the payments to Con Edison, stressed, at the time “I thought we were generating our own electricity. In Co-op City, we seem to be dealing with a bunch of sleazes who think nothing of wasting the shareholders’ hard-earned money. What goes on in Co-op City is enough to make you want to throw up. We don’t get answers from management; all we get is a bunch of bs.”  

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Baby Gorillas Make Their Zoo Debut

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Baby Gorillas Make Their Zoo Debut: Baby Gorillas Make Their Zoo Debut (Photos by Julie Larson) BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 24- Two western lowland gorillas were born at the Wildli...

Baby Gorillas Make Their Zoo Debut

Baby Gorillas Make Their Zoo Debut

(Photos by Julie Larson)

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 24- Two western lowland gorillas were born at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo. These are the first gorillas born at the Bronx Zoo since 2006.

The Bronx Zoo’s Congo Gorilla Forest is now home to 20 gorillas – the largest group of gorillas in North America. The Bronx Zoo has a successful history breeding gorillas as part of the Species Survival Plan, a cooperative breeding program designed to enhance the genetic viability of animal populations in zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

The gender of the babies is not yet known. The infants and the parents live with the rest of their troop in the Bronx Zoo’s Congo Gorilla Forest. These are the 14th and 15th gorillas born at this award-winning exhibit and there have been 50 gorillas born at the Bronx Zoo since 1972.

When the babies can be seen by visitors this spring will vary day-by-day depending on weather, temperature, and other environmental factors.

Julia (33 years old) gave birth on March 10 and Tuti (19 years old) had her baby on April 17. Ernie (31 years old) is the father of both babies. Julia and Tuti are both experienced mothers; Julia has successfully reared two babies and Tuti has had one other. Ernie is a first-time father.

  

The gestation period for a gorilla is 8.5 months and newborns weigh approximately 4 to 5 pounds. Gorilla infants are held by their mother for the first four months of their life. Infants start eating solid foods at about 6 months but will nurse until they are 3 or 4 years old. 

Gorillas are the world’s largest primates. Adult males weigh between 350-450 pounds and when standing upright can be up to six feet tall. Adult females weigh between 150-250 pounds and are up to four feet tall. 

Congo Gorilla Forest opened in 1999 on a 6.5-acre footprint in the southwest corner of the zoo. The exhibit is an immersive walkthrough that gives zoo-goers the feeling of being in a Central African rainforest where they can see examples of African biodiversity.  Species include mandrills, okapis, many species of birds and invertebrates, and of course the western lowland gorillas. Congo Gorilla Forest has won many awards for its design, animal habitats, and horticulture. It is also among the world’s first zoo exhibits where admission fees go directly to field conservation efforts in Africa. Since it opened, more than $12.5 million has gone to support WCS’s Global Conservation Programs.

Western lowland gorillas are designated as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their natural range spans tropical and subtropical forests in equatorial Africa. They are primarily vegetarian, mainly consuming fruits, plants, and some insects. They spend much of their time on the ground, but are excellent climbers.

The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places around the globe and in all four of the world’s oceans. WCS works throughout Central Africa to protect gorillas from habitat loss and illegal hunting.

Visit: www.wcs.org; http://www.facebook.com/TheWCS; http://www.youtube.com/user/WCSMedia  Follow: @thewcs.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bx. Puerto Rican Day Parade

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bx. Puerto Rican Day Parade: PREVIEW OF THE BIG PARADE (Young beauty pageant winners and their parents after the annual contest.--Photos by Miriam Quin) A few dozen y...

Bx. Puerto Rican Day Parade

PREVIEW OF THE BIG PARADE

(Young beauty pageant winners and their parents after the annual contest.--Photos by Miriam Quin)

A few dozen young ladies competed during The Latinos Unidos Parade, Inc., Reina / Queen Kids Pageant on April 5, at the Latino Pastoral Action Center on West 170 Street in Highbridge. The selected winners will represent the borough in the annual Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade. Winners competed dancing the Plena dance. This year’s winners in the 6-9 age group were Samira Falu, Nashaly Rodon and Leilani Rodriguez. The 28th annual parade will be held along the Grand Concourse on Sunday, June 1.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Can This Dimwit

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Can This Dimwit: Can This Dimwit By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 24- It may not be pine tar, but one wannabe Bronx pitcher is in trouble for hurling...

Can This Dimwit

Can This Dimwit

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 24- It may not be pine tar, but one wannabe Bronx pitcher is in trouble for hurling. Cops are now looking for the man for assault inside a supermarket.

At around 1:30 p.m. on April 13, inside Compare Food Store, located at 2080 White Plains Road, the suspect had assaulted a 69-year-old woman when his throwing ability went awry. Cops say the suspect had gotten into an argument with a man inside the supermarket. The suspect became so enraged he threw a can of soybeans at the man. The can missed the intended target and instead struck a 69-year-old woman in the face. The woman was  treated at Einstein Hospital for swelling to her eye.

Police released surveillance video of the would-be pitcher. He is described as 20 to 25 years old with a medium build.

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Mayor gets schooled in Pre-K here

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Mayor gets schooled in Pre-K here: Mayor gets schooled in Pre-K here By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 23- Mayor Bill deBlasio came to Riverdale to visit one o...

Mayor gets schooled in Pre-K here

Mayor gets schooled in Pre-K here

By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 23- Mayor Bill deBlasio came to Riverdale to visit one of the longest running Pre-K site that has successfully been in operation since the 1940's according to Daniel Eudene the Executive Director of the Riverdale Neighborhood Neighborhood House. 

Currently 70 children are being served with half day Pre-K that will increase to full day Pre-K starting at the beginning of the new school year in September. As he arrived, Mayor de Blasio stopped to chat with Ms. Melissa Shields mother of a soon to be Pre-K child and her one year old sister. The mayor and the local elected officials then toured the Riverdale Neighborhood House to see the Pre-K program in action. They also learned that the RNN is also a teen after school center and much more.

The mayor and other elected officials then came outside to discuss what they had seen and just what the mayor’s Pre-K program was all about. As he spoke de Blasio thanked State Senator Jeff Klein in getting the funding put into the state budget after the mayor was unable to have a Pre-K tax passed in Albany. Senator Klein said as Co-Leader of the state senate that he was not going to approve a state budget that did not have a Pre-K plan in it. Klein and other elected officials who spoke said that when children go through a Pre- K class that the students do better in school than others who do not receive the benefit of a Pre-K class. 

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. echoed Senator Klein's words with the story of his two children who received a Pre-K program, and now both are in college with one graduating soon. Riverdale Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and Councilman Andrew Cohen were also on hand, and both gave examples of the virtue of the Pre[-K program.

The deadline for public school sign up was Wednesday Aprill 23rd, but with many public schools not having enough space (if any) Community Based Organizations such as RNN will be called upon to fill the over 50,000 Pre-K seats that are projected for the beginning 0f the September 2014 school year. Mayor de Blasio said that when the Pre-K program is fully implemented in its second year that 70,000 Pre-K seats will be available citywide.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Working Girls Aren’t the Only Ones Suffering in La...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Working Girls Aren’t the Only Ones Suffering in La...: Working Girls Aren’t the Only Ones Suffering in Labor Dispute Northeast Bronx Hot-Sheet Motel Battle Over Wages, Bedbugs, and Posting Pix o...