Yanks Clip Angels’ Wings

"New York Yankees Leather Computer Back Pack""New York Yankees Doormat""New York Yankees 3 Piece Bath Rugs"

Yankees start second half with win over Angels

(Photo by Gary Quintal)

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 14- Mark Teixeira said the four-day hiatus this week for the all-Star break was what he may have needed, and the New York Yankees know the rest did him well. He hit two home runs Friday evening in the Bronx that enabled New York to open the second half of the season with a come from behind 6-5 win over the Los Angeles Angels.

Teixeira hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning to left field and catcher Russell Martin fighting out of a slump, hit a two-out single that overcame the Angels 5-2 lead.

“I had a good batting practice today and the extra energy,” commented Teixeira who recorded his 36^th career multi-home run game, now with 17 on the season. He also drove in five runs for the third time.

Teixeira commented, “It’s a new start. The first half really doesn’t mean anything.” In essence the first half did mean something as the Yankees opened the second half with a seven- game lead over the Baltimore Orioles in the American League east.

The Yankees won their second straight and fifth in their last six games. The win, first of three games with the Angels, was the start of a six-game home stand that will continue with Toronto.

“Sure the break helped him physically,” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi about Teixeira. “New York, at 53-33 went a season high 20-games over .500 with the best record in baseball.

Prior to the second home run by Teixeira, the Angels’ Mark Trumbo hit his team leading 23^rd home run giving them a 4-2 lead. It was the 15^th home run this year by Trumbo that has tied a game or given the Angels the lead, and his fifth straight game against the Yankees with a home run.

“We set the table for him and he got a big hit at the time and just missed another one,” said Angels’ manager Mike Scioscia. Nick Swisher robbed Trumbo of another home run when he leaped and got the out, a ball that looked like it was clearing the outfield wall in right, in the Angels eighth inning.

C.J Wilson pitched seven solid innings until Scott Downs (1-1) imploded for the Angels in an inning that started with a Derek Jeter double and a walk to Curtis Granderson.

Hiroki Kuroda did not figure in the decision for the Yankees after throwing six innings and giving up two home runs. Chad Qualls (1-0) got his first win for New York and Rafael Soriano recorded his 21^st save in 22 chances.

Martin, hoping for a better second half got it off to a good start. He drove in the game winning run in the eighth inning and also nailed two Angels on the base paths.

His throw to Jeter at second, with two outs in the ninth, nailed Howie Kendrick, the tying run to end the game.

 “Three guys out, the game winning hit,” said Girardi who added the game by Martin was important for him. Martin ended a, 0-for-30 slump last Saturday at Boston before the break.

Freddy Garcia (3-2) gets the start for New York Saturday afternoon.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

Superstar Trout Makes First Visit to Yankee Stadium

(Mike Trout steals second base in the top of the third inning, but is stranded.- Photo by Gary Quintal) 

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 14- Currently ranked in the top 10 in almost every offensive category and leading the American League in batting and stolen bases, 20-year-old Mike Trout, like his counterpart in the National League, 19-year-old Bryce Harper, is bringing excitement to every city in which he plays. The two center fielders are reminiscent to older fans of the entrance of Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays into the respective New York City center fields of Yankee Stadium and the Polo Grounds in the same year, 1951. Although no one can accurately foresee what each will accomplish in his future career in baseball, each has proven to have excellent talent.

Trout, who began the 2012 season with the Angels on April 28, made his first visit to Yankee stadium as a player on Friday, the 13^th. The young man’s visit was quite meaningful to him, “Just being in the same place as so many Hall of Famers played is awesome.”

In a pre-game press conference, the New Jersey native was questioned about his childhood baseball preferences and responded, “I was a Phillies fan, but Jeter was my guy. I always liked seeing him play. I played shortstop my whole life until my senior year [in high school] when I changed to outfield. I’m out there hustling on every play. That’s how Jeter plays the game and that’s how I want to play the game.”

The two will be even closer in the future and family members and friends of Trout were invited to watch Friday night’s game in Jeter’s luxury box.

Trout was selected by the Angels as the 25^th pick in the first round of the 2009 MLB First Year Player Draft. On Friday, the youngster commented, “Going 25^th gives me the motivation to prove them wrong.” He has been spurred to exhibit the capacity he possesses to be a star quality player in the majors.

Although he played 40 games with the Angels during the 2011 season, Trout is still considered to be a rookie. Thus, he is currently a favorite to be voted both the Rookie of the Year and the American League MVP. This is a rare honor previously won by Ichiro Suzuki and Fred Lynn.

Trout leads all American League rookies in every offensive category except triples in which he ranks second. He is the first rookie in AL history to rank first in batting average (.341) and stolen bases (26) at the All Star break.

Trout’s performances during May, June and early July added to his personal popularity earned him a place on the A.L. All-Star Team. He recounted his feelings on that memorable day to reporters at Yankee Stadium, “It was a great experience for my family and me and my friends. I started to feel a little nervous when I looked in the dugout and saw Derek Jeter and when I looked in the stands and saw my family.” Hid nervousness wore off quickly as he singled in his only at bat and stole a base. He was the youngest player to hit successful in the Mid-Summer Classic in 57 years.

The second youngest player currently in the majors was asked to comment about the youngest, Bryce Harper, “He’s a great guy; he plays the game the right way, hard; he’s got the same focus as I do, get on base and score a lot of runs. It’s only been one-half of a year, we have to keep working hard and making it happen.”

The two are on teams that appear to be heading to post-season berths. The Halos were only 6-14 prior to Trout’s joining the club, but have amassed the best record in the majors (42-25) since that date.

Trout’s first game in Yankee Stadium, although in a loss, was impressive. He singled and doubled in four at bats. He stole two bases and scored a run.

On Friday, at the age of 20 years, 10 months and 5 days, Trout described his experiences in the majors, “It’s definitely surreal. I try not to think about it during the season; it could give you a big head. I’ll talk about it with my parents after the season.”

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Mom Indicted for Gassing Kids

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Mom Indicted for Gassing Kids: BRONX, NEW YORK, July 13- District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced that a grand jury has indicted Lisette Bamenga for allegedly murde...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Mom Indicted for Gassing Kids

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Mom Indicted for Gassing Kids: BRONX, NEW YORK, July 13- District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced that a grand jury has indicted Lisette Bamenga for allegedly murde...

Mom Indicted for Gassing Kids

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 13- District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced that a grand jury has indicted Lisette Bamenga for allegedly murdering her two young children.

Bamenga, 29, of 1500 Noble Avenue, the Bronx, has been indicted on one count of murder in the first degree, and two counts of murder in the second degree in the deaths of 3-month-old Violet Noel and 4-year-old Tevor Noel. 

Murder in the first degree is a Class A-1 felony offense punishable by a maximum sentence of up to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole if convicted. Murder in the second degree is punishable by a maximum sentence of up to 25 years to life imprisonment on each count if convicted.

It is alleged in court papers that Bamenga caused the deaths of her children by “feeding them windshield wiper fluid, mixed with grape juice, then drowning them in a bath tub, and then confining them in a closed kitchen area while turning on the gas.”

The alleged crimes occurred at the defendant’s home on July 5, 2012. Bamenga remains hospitalized and is being held without bail.

Class Act

Axelbank family and Monroe College Foundation partner in awards to students

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 13- The family of Eli Axelbank, who was a principal at the former James Monroe HS, has joined forces with the Monroe College Foundation in scholarship awards for graduates of the Monroe Academy for Visual Art and Design (MAVAD) and the Monroe Academy for Business and Law (MABL).

Represented by Gary Axelbank, one of Eli’s three sons who is the BronxTalk television host, the Axelbank family has presented the award to students at the Monroe Academies (no relation to the college) at their graduations since his passing in 1982.

“Our family has done this for 30 years because my father’s legacy as an educator, a father, and a community leader is worth passing on to future generations,” Gary Axelbank said. “So we select students who have achieved not only in the classroom, but also in their communities.”

Eli Axelbank’s widow, Mickey, and the families of Arthur and Jeffrey Axelbank also contribute to the award. Long-time educator, Tom Porton, who was a colleague of Eli Axelbank, administrates the award on behalf of the high schools and the Axelbank family.

The MAVAD winner this year is Carmen Cancel who was a four-year member of the leadership class, the captain of the school’s blood drive, and on the senior council. She also fed the homeless, was in the art club, and worked with senior citizens.

The MABL award winner is Carlos Gonzalez who was a four-year basketball player, a member of the senior council and year book committee, and worked at feeding the homeless.

To help commemorate the decades of support the Axelbank family has provided, this year the Monroe College Foundation broadened the scope of the award with a scholarship to help the students pay for their college education.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Tat’s Alot!

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Tat’s Alot!: Rape Suspect’s Tattoo of Own Name Led Cops to Arrest By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, July 13- Was it his tat that gave him ...