Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yank Pitching Stops Diamondbacks

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yank Pitching Stops Diamondbacks: By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, April 18- The Yankees won their seventh of the last eight games, 4-3, over the Arizona Diamondbacks on We...

Yank Pitching Stops Diamondbacks

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, April 18- The Yankees won their seventh of the last eight games, 4-3, over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday night. Outstanding Yankees hurling held opponents to three runs or less in six of the seven wins.

Yankees starters during that stretch gave up 15 earned runs in 52.1 innings for a sterling ERA of 2.30. The performance of the Yankees ace, CC Sabathia, on Wednesday continued the exceptional success of the starting staff during that period.

Despite a less than effective first inning during which he walked a batter and gave up three hits including a two-run home run to Paul Goldschmidt, who has reached base in all 14 games he played in 2013. Sabathia earned the win by how effectively he adjusted during his next seven innings on the mound. In that seven inning period, he surrendered only three scattered hits and one run.

The victory was Sabathia’s third straight. In those three successful contests, the starter pitched 23 innings and yielded only four earned runs, an ERA of 1.71. His control was quite impressive; four batters were issued walks while 19 fanned.

Yankee skipper Joe Girardi uttered words of praise for his ace starter after the game concluded, “He finds a way to keep us in the game. There’s a lot to be learned from how he goes about his business.”

Several questioned the manager about Sabathia’s lower velocity of his fast ball this season and then heard this response from Girardi, “To me. He’s really the same guy; he just doesn’t have the same velocity. He just has to hit his spots. If he does, he’s really going to be effective.”

The ninth inning, as it does in every close Yankees contest, belongs to closer Mariano Rivera. Mo, who has tied a major league record by saving at least one game for 18 consecutive seasons, saved another on Wednesday. Rivera retired the three batters he faced in the ninth to earn his fourth save of 2013 and a record 612^th of his career.

The Yankees runs were scored in the seventh and eighth innings. Those responsible were new arrivals in 2013 and less heralded Yankees holdovers from the past. Ben Francisco singled with one out in the seventh. A two-out rally began with a double by Brennan Bosch. A walk to Eduardo Nuñez loaded the bases. The first Yankees run of the evening after Jayson Nix walked. The game was tied at 3 by a two-run single by Brett Gardner.

The game-winning hit was a first pitch home run hit by pinch hitter Travis Hafner with two out in the bottom of the eighth.

Phil Hughes (0-2) will start the final game of the series on Thursday night. Patrick Corbin (2-0) will start for the Diamondbacks.

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Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bench Warmer Becomes Home Run Hero

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bench Warmer Becomes Home Run Hero: By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, April 18- Travis Hafner sat on the bench Wednesday night for more than two hours. Bottom of the eighth at ...

Bench Warmer Becomes Home Run Hero

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, April 18- Travis Hafner sat on the bench Wednesday night for more than two hours. Bottom of the eighth at Yankee Stadium, he gets the nod from Yankees manager Joe Girardi to pinch hit with two outs. And, as Yankees role players have been doing so well, Hafner connected on the first pitch off Arizona right hander David Hernandez.

The home run to right field was a difference as the Yankees came from behind and defeated the Diamondbacks for the second straight night.

Hafner is one of those supposed minor acquisitions that general manager Brian Cashman believed would be beneficial, along with Lyle Overbay and Vernon Wells. And with Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixiera, and Alex Rodriguez disabled with injuries, the role for Hafner is come off the bench, occasional outfield play or inserted as the designated hitter in the lineup.

Pinch hitting is more difficult, as Girardi would say, but Hafner has accepted his role and is ready to contribute when called upon.

“To sit two two-and-a –half hours that has to be tough to do,” commented Girardi about one of his super substitutes that have helped New York win seven of their last eight games.

It was the fourth pinch-hit home run in Hafner’s career, and his fourth of the season. He had 12 all of last year with the Cleveland Indians. The Yankees signed him to a one-year deal in February after spending the last 10-seasons with the Cleveland Indians.

“It’s moments like this that are really special, you remember a long time,” said Hafner about the home run. “Happy to be a part of the team and contribute tonight I was just looking for a good pitch to hit.”

Hafner added, he is enjoying his time with the Yankees and is swinging the bat really well. Time on the bench is not easy, but he knows right now the role is to be ready and he also realizes that when the injured return the playing time may be less.

“Pretty much I am ready the fifth or sixth inning on,” he said. “He, (Girardi) calls your name, be ready. I was looking to be aggressive and get a good pitch to hit and drive and fortunately I got it out.”

Most importantly, he said, “You want to contribute and help the team win.” 

Winning pitcher CC Sabathia, expects more from his former Cleveland teammate because he knows how valuable the veteran is. “When Haf walked in I expected him to do a lot more than what he has done,” said Sabathia. That got a laugh, however the Yankees are more than pleased with the production and contribution.

Said Sabathia, “In this ballpark, with his power all it takes is the right pitch and he got that today.”  

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

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Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Jaspers Snap Three-Game Skid

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Jaspers Snap Three-Game Skid: Win Over Army BRONX, NEW YORK, April 18- The Manhattan College baseball team broke a 1-1 tie with one run in the seventh and two in the ei...

Jaspers Snap Three-Game Skid

Win Over Army

BRONX, NEW YORK, April 18- The Manhattan College baseball team broke a 1-1 tie with one run in the seventh and two in the eighth, then held off Army’s ninth-inning rally to post a 4-3 victory over the Black Knights (16-17) at Doubleday Field on Wednesday afternoon. With the win, the Jaspers (16-18) snapped a three-game losing streak.

The Jaspers got on the board first with a run in the top of the second. Joe McClennan (Highland Mills, N.Y.) was hit by a pitch leading off the inning, then moved to second on Brendan Slattery’s (Danbury, Conn.) groundout and scored on a single by Yoandry Galan (Miami, Fla.). Army knotted the game in the bottom of the third when Harold Earls drew a one-out walk and came around on a double by Alex Jensen.

After leaving a runner on base in the fourth and two more in the sixth, Manhattan finally broke the tie with a run in the seventh. Chris Reynolds (Wall, N.J.) started the rally with a single to right before moving to second on a wild pitch. He took third on a Kyle Murphy (Waterbury, Conn.) groundout, then Ramon Ortega (Miami, Fla.) delivered an RBI double to right that put the Jaspers up 2-1.

Manhattan added two more in the top of the eighth. Andrew Gorecki (Smithtown, N.Y.) walked with one out and advanced to second on a wild pitch. After Galan struck out, Nick Camastro (Lagrangeville, N.Y.) delivered an RBI single to left field. He took second on the throw home before stealing third. That stolen base led directly to another Manhattan run, as Camastro came around on an infield single by Reynolds.

However, the Black Knights rallied in the ninth. Andrew Johnson started the inning with a double to left center and Michael Sands followed with a single to left. After pinch hitter Brock Davidson struck out, Justin Reece singled to center field, knocking in Johnson. Reynolds misplayed the ball, though, allowing Sands to score. Reece took second on a wild pitch before John Soldinger (Bay Shore, N.Y.) got Earls to ground to first, preserving a 4-3 victory for the Jaspers.

Reynolds was the only Jasper to have a multi-hit game, going 3-for-4 at the plate with a run scored and an RBI. Camastro went 1-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI out of the leadoff spot. Matt Jordan (Kingston, N.Y.) got the start on the mound and went four innings. He allowed one run and three hits, struck out three and walked three. Kevin Bonanni (Plainview, N.Y.) and Michael Scarinci (Nanuet, N.Y.) each threw a perfect inning of relief, while Michael Martin (Massapequa, N.Y.) (1-4) earned the win after giving up just one hit and striking out two in two shutout innings. Soldinger picked up his first save of the season after yielding two runs (one earned) on three hits while also striking out a pair in the ninth.Seven different Black Knights each had one hit, with Jensen and Johnson contributing doubles. Starting pitcher John Malcolm tossed two innings, surrendering one run on two hits, striking out one and walking three. Patrick Gardner allowed just one hit and one walk in three innings of shutout relief, while Brian Hapeman (0-1) took the loss after yielding one run on three hits in 1.2 innings of work. He also notched a strikeout. Jack Verrill was charged with two runs, two hits and a walk while also picking up a strikeout in 1.1 innings of work, and Gunnar Carroll gave up a hit and a walk and recorded a strikeout in the ninth.

Manhattan (6-6 MAAC) resumes its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) schedule with a three-game series against Canisius (24-10, 4-5 MAAC) at Van Cortlandt Park this weekend. The Jaspers and Griffs will play a doubleheader on Saturday at 12 p.m., followed by a single game at 12 p.m. on Sunday.

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Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fordham to Honor Baseball Hall of Fame Greats

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fordham to Honor Baseball Hall of Fame Greats: By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, April 17- The Bronx has been a place of learning, nurturing and growth for many greats in the world of s...