Yanks, Mother Nature Beat up the Jays

Yanks head to Oakland after rain shortened game and sweep of Blue Jays

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 19- This time claps of thunder, lightning, and rain stopped a New York Yankees game in the Bronx Wednesday afternoon. Their offense also continued to excel before the weather caused a rain shortened 6-0 win and sweep over the Toronto Blue Jays after six innings.

With threatening weather in the forecast, the game was delayed 51 minutes. However, in a season where the Yankees seem to be hitting the ball all over the place, delays don’t seem to matter.

New York got on the scoreboard early when Mark Teixeira hit a two-run home run, his 19^th, in a four-run first inning off Toronto starter and loser Ricky Romero (8-6) who lost his fifth straight, a career low.

The inning started when Derek Jeter, inserted as the designated hitter, led off with a double. There were four extra base hits that included two straight doubles from Andruw Jones and Robinson Cano. The hit from Cano extended his career best hitting streak to 21 games.

“You got to get contributions from everyone,” said Jeter who went 2 for 3. It was the Yankees third straight win, nine in their last 11, a season-high 23 games over .500.

And the Yankees continue to get those contributions with guys off the bench. It enables manager Joe Girardi to give his starters some rest, in particular, during this 13-game stretch that continues Thursday night with three games in Oakland and three at Seattle.

DeWayne Wise had an RBI double in the fourth inning off Romero and a run scoring single in the sixth. He gave Curtis Granderson a day of rest out in center as once again the strategy, Girardi getting the best from his bench, worked to perfection.

“It’s been really special what these guys have done for us, you kinda’ want to talk about giving some other guys off during this run of 13- games,” commented Girardi about how Wise, Jayson Nix with two hits, and Eric Chavez have contributed off the bench.

That gave the Yankees a 5-0 lead. They added another run in the sixth and the weather got worse. The tarp came on the field, and after a delay of 58 minutes the Yankees packed and went to Oakland also propelling Hiroki Kuroda (9-7) to his third career complete game victory.

“His slider was good, he kept away from getting the first hitter on and made some good pitches,” said Girardi about Kuroda.

In his last start Kuroda gave up five runs, 11 in his last two starts. But he bounced back tossing seven shutout innings, limited the Jays to four hits, no walks and striking out five. Though it was a shortened game, the outing by Kuroda leads to more encouragement.

With Kuroda bouncing back, CC Sabathia healthy after missing two starts, and with Andy Pettitte recovering well from a broken ankle, Girardi has to be pleased.

“Pitching is the one constant that you have to have to win on a daily basis and we’ve been getting that,” said Girardi. New York has also scored three runs in 42 consecutive games.

“I think our guys set the tone early,” said Girardi about how his team tacked on runs, off Romero, a pitcher that has given the Yankees problems in the past.

The Yankees have pitched well, swung the bats, and tacked on runs late. That also had led to them widening their gap on first place in the American League east. Girardi alluded to those factors in taking five of six games on the home stand from the Angels and Blue Jays,

Now they hit the road with right hander Freddie Garcia (4-2), who won his last start Saturday against the Angels, getting the start against Oakland.

“It’s a lot of fun coming to the ballpark every day,” said Nick Swisher. 

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

Yanks, Mother Nature Beat up the Jays

Yanks head to Oakland after rain shortened game and sweep of Blue Jays

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 19- This time claps of thunder, lightning, and rain stopped a New York Yankees game in the Bronx Wednesday afternoon. Their offense also continued to excel before the weather caused a rain shortened 6-0 win and sweep over the Toronto Blue Jays after six innings.

With threatening weather in the forecast, the game was delayed 51 minutes. However, in a season where the Yankees seem to be hitting the ball all over the place, delays don’t seem to matter.

New York got on the scoreboard early when Mark Teixeira hit a two-run home run, his 19^th, in a four-run first inning off Toronto starter and loser Ricky Romero (8-6) who lost his fifth straight, a career low.

The inning started when Derek Jeter, inserted as the designated hitter, led off with a double. There were four extra base hits that included two straight doubles from Andruw Jones and Robinson Cano. The hit from Cano extended his career best hitting streak to 21 games.

“You got to get contributions from everyone,” said Jeter who went 2 for 3. It was the Yankees third straight win, nine in their last 11, a season-high 23 games over .500.

And the Yankees continue to get those contributions with guys off the bench. It enables manager Joe Girardi to give his starters some rest, in particular, during this 13-game stretch that continues Thursday night with three games in Oakland and three at Seattle.

DeWayne Wise had an RBI double in the fourth inning off Romero and a run scoring single in the sixth. He gave Curtis Granderson a day of rest out in center as once again the strategy, Girardi getting the best from his bench, worked to perfection.

“It’s been really special what these guys have done for us, you kinda’ want to talk about giving some other guys off during this run of 13- games,” commented Girardi about how Wise, Jayson Nix with two hits, and Eric Chavez have contributed off the bench.

That gave the Yankees a 5-0 lead. They added another run in the sixth and the weather got worse. The tarp came on the field, and after a delay of 58 minutes the Yankees packed and went to Oakland also propelling Hiroki Kuroda (9-7) to his third career complete game victory.

“His slider was good, he kept away from getting the first hitter on and made some good pitches,” said Girardi about Kuroda.

In his last start Kuroda gave up five runs, 11 in his last two starts. But he bounced back tossing seven shutout innings, limited the Jays to four hits, no walks and striking out five. Though it was a shortened game, the outing by Kuroda leads to more encouragement.

With Kuroda bouncing back, CC Sabathia healthy after missing two starts, and with Andy Pettitte recovering well from a broken ankle, Girardi has to be pleased.

“Pitching is the one constant that you have to have to win on a daily basis and we’ve been getting that,” said Girardi. New York has also scored three runs in 42 consecutive games.

“I think our guys set the tone early,” said Girardi about how his team tacked on runs, off Romero, a pitcher that has given the Yankees problems in the past.

The Yankees have pitched well, swung the bats, and tacked on runs late. That also had led to them widening their gap on first place in the American League east. Girardi alluded to those factors in taking five of six games on the home stand from the Angels and Blue Jays,

Now they hit the road with right hander Freddie Garcia (4-2), who won his last start Saturday against the Angels, getting the start against Oakland.

“It’s a lot of fun coming to the ballpark every day,” said Nick Swisher. 

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Rash of Crashes

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Rash of Crashes: Summer Madness on the Roadways (Above- The back of the vehicle is gone after a serious crash on the New England Thruway near Co...

Rash of Crashes

Summer Madness on the Roadways

(Above- The back of the vehicle is gone after a serious crash on the New England Thruway near Co-op City. Below- An investigator walks past the scene of a car that crashed through a building on Overing Avenue. A family waiting for their belonging's in Maryland will have to wait after a driver lost the load along the Hutchinson River Parkway.--Photos by David Greene)

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 18- At least six serious crashes in the past week have resulted in the deaths of several individuals, several more have been injured due to speed, alcohol and reckless or careless driving.

At just after 9 p.m. July 11, a vehicle crashed on the northbound New England Thruway at Exit 8C, just outside of Co-op City. The victim in this crash was not expected to survive.

At just before 1 a.m., on, July 12, a driver would lose control of his vehicle as he traveled along E. Tremont Avenue at a high rate of speed and crashed into the wall of a store at 1648 Overing Street.

One victim died and a second was removed in critical condition,

At just after 2 p.m. on July 12, a driver of a moving truck lost his load as he traveled southbound on the Hutchinson River Parkway, on his way to Maryland, when his trailer struck the overpass at Westchester Avenue.

Not aware of the 10-foot, 2-inch limit, the unidentified driver told the highway patrolman, "I was following the GPS," unaware that trailers are not permitted on, "Parkways."

The NYPD would next respond to back-to-back hit-and-runs, the first reported at 11:20 p.m., on July 13, at E. Gun Hill Road and Webster Avenue, where a bicyclist was mowed down and left for dead.

The victim, later identified by police as David Ellis, 18, of Marion Avenue, was rushed to Montefiore where he died upon arrival.

Police were looking for the driver and passenger of the 2001 Nissan Maxima, both reported as male Hispanic, who abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.

Less than an hour later, at 12:07 a.m., on July 14, emergency crews were called to the Grand Concourse and E. 170 Street, for two pedestrians hit by a fleeing vehicle.

EMS would remove two Hispanic males, ages 34 and 42 from the scene with, "severe body trauma," and were rushed to Lincoln Hospital.

The 42-year old victim did not survive, police are waiting family notification before releasing his name.

After striking the two men, the driver in the 2011 Honda continued north where he struck an ambulance head-on at Mt. Eden Avenue.

The still unidentified 37-year old driver, reported as a white male was taken into custody and charges were pending.

Days after signing with the NY Knicks, Jason Kidd was arrested for drunk-driving on Long Island, after a single-vehicle accident on the Hamptons.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Returning CC Dominates Jays

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Returning CC Dominates Jays: Sabathia returns and Yankees win another one from Blue Jays By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, July 18- CC Sabathia had control of his p...

Returning CC Dominates Jays

Sabathia returns and Yankees win another one from Blue Jays

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 18- CC Sabathia had control of his pitches and he was strong in his return from the disabled list Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium. He dominated the Toronto Blue Jays lineup, without power hitter Jose Bautista who was placed on the 15-day disabled list and the Yankees continued to roll taking their second straight over the Jays 6-1 in the Bronx.

Sabathia carried a shutout into the seventh inning and the Yankees bullpen took over. The lefthander improved to 10-3, gave up four hits and struck out six.

“It was tough sitting here and watching your teammates go out and battle every day,” said Sabathia who improved to 13-3 lifetime against Toronto. “It feels good to come back and be a part of it.”

And for the Yankees and manager Joe Girardi, having Sabathia back in the rotation, only makes them continue their roll to another American League east division title. New York has won five of their last six and increased their lead in the division to 9 /1-2 games over Tampa Bay with a major league best record of 56-34.

After the three-run second inning, led by the three-run home run from Andruw Jones to left, Sabathia who missed two starts due to a left groin strain kept Blue Jays batters at bay.

Girardi was cautious. He removed Sabathia after throwing 87 pitches on a steamy 95-degree night. His ace, though, likes to pitch in steamy conditions and Girardi also said it may be an advantage that Sabathia missed a few starts because he will have less innings as the Yankees prepare for their post season run.

“My arm feels good when it is warm,” said Sabathia who had no lingering effects from the injury that sidelined him on June 24^th. He experienced pain in the groin after pitching against the Mets in the final game of the subway interleague series.

“CC likes the heat,” said Girardi. “Can’t say that I ever did, but CC really enjoys it,”

Jays’ starter Brett Cecil (2-2) suffered his second loss of the season. In six innings he was touched for the three runs on the 12^th home run of the year from Jones. He would settle down and not allow another run, but the Yankees got to the Toronto pen again scoring three more runs in the seventh inning.

“To his credit, he kept the ball down and he changed speeds effectively,” said Toronto manager John Farrell about his starter and the adjustments made after the Jones home run.

It was the 432^nd career home run for Jones that surpassed Cal Ripken Jr. for sole possession of 41^st place on baseball’s all time list.

Jones has been another weapon off the bench for Girardi along with Eric Chavez, DeWayne Wise and Jayson Nix. They have also accounted for many of the 145 home runs hit by the Yankees that lead baseball.

Girardi said about his bench “I think I have a really good bench that can be extremely productive for us. It’s been really helpful.”

Rafael Soriano closed the door in the ninth inning for his 24^th save in 25 opportunities. Girardi once again used four pitchers out of the pen before calling on his closer as the Blue Jays scored their lone run in the eighth and stranded two in the ninth.

Robinson Cano also extended his career best hitting streak to 20- games, the longest active in the majors and most since Derek Jeter in the 2007 season.

With Sabathia back in the rotation and the Yankees winning in this 13-game stretch, there is more room for confidence. They go for the series sweep in the get- away finale Wednesday afternoon with Hiroki Kuroda (8-7) on the mound.

“We’ve been doing a little bit of everything,” said Jeter. “We’ve got a pretty good combination of things going right now.”

e-mail Rich Mancuso:  Ring786@aol.com

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Food Truck for the Hungry

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Food Truck for the Hungry: Truck gives out FREE meals   BRONX, NEW YORK, July 16- Chancellor Dennis M. Walcott, joined by federal and city agencies and non...