Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fordham alum

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fordham alum: Former Fordham Ram Martinez returned to the pitching mound in the Bronx By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 23- Three years ago Nick ...

Fordham alum

Former Fordham Ram Martinez returned to the pitching mound in the Bronx

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 23- Three years ago Nick Martinez was spending time as a second baseman and came out of the bullpen up at Rose Hill for Fordham University. Then the Texas Rangers gave him a call as their 18th round pick in the June amateur draft. Tuesday night he was on the mound at Yankee Stadium getting the start for the Texas Rangers.

It was a homecoming of sorts. The 23-year old right-hander from Hialeah Florida visited the new Yankee Stadium in his senior year at Fordham. Scouts said he could fit in the plans for the Rangers, and at the time the organization was loaded with good pitching.

So, a little past 7:20pm, and three years after coming out of the pen up at Rose Hill, Martinez threw his first pitch as a professional in the Bronx. It was low sinker and outside to Brett Gardner that went for a single to left. Derek Jeter followed hitting into a ground ball double-play and Jacoby Ellsbury lashed a 92-mile fastball to left for a single.

Then the curveball was thrown, one that helped Martinez get to this point, and Carlos Beltran ended the inning with a force that went second to short. After that hit to Ellsbury, Martinez retired 12 consecutive Yankees, and that was impressive being this was his first start coming off the 15-day disabled list because of discomfort on his left side.

“Going out and sat on the bench a little bit it just sank it in,” Martinez said, hours after he was lifted from a game that almost lasted five hours and went 14-innings in a game the Yankees won 2-1.

Martinez, 1-6, with a 5.10 ERA, held the Yankees for 5 1/3 innings on three hits and a walk. Manager Ron Washington made the pitching change after a walk to Gardner and after throwing 68 pitches, and of course he did not fair in the decision.

“His mechanics started to break down,” was the explanation from Washington about removing Martinez with a low pitch count. But, there was more of a concern that his pitches did not further aggravate his left side.

Martinez has a future and that was the reason the Rangers grabbed him after a successful scholastic and playing career at Fordham. He had allowed 10 earned runs in his previous 7 1/3 innings over two starts and retired 14 of the last 16 Yankees he faced in the game.

It resulted in his first career start without allowing an earned run, and the first by a Texas pitcher this season not allowing an earned run since Yu Darvich against the Twins on June 28th.   

He said, “I thought my fastball was elevated a bit. I got away with that….things to expect first time out in three weeks. I understand. I did have to tighten up and focus. I didn’t feel tired and exhausted. Again, I haven’t pitched in three weeks so you have to play it safe.”

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): New Guy Wins it for YankeesWalk-Off Single by Ch...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): New Guy Wins it for Yankees Walk-Off Single by Ch...: New Guy Wins it for Yankees Walk-Off Single by Chase Headley in First Game as a Yankee By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 23- ...

New Guy Wins it for Yankees

Walk-Off Single by Chase Headley in First Game as a Yankee

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 23- A beautiful pitching duel between two rookie starters, Nick Martinez of the Texas Rangers and Chase Whitley of the New York Yankees and continued by a phalanx of relief pitchers by both teams kept runs off the board for 12 innings.

After the pitchers stifled every rally before a run could be scored, a run for each club was scored in the 13th frame. There was no rally in the top of the inning. One swing by first sacker J. P. Arencibia lifted the ball into the left-centerfield stands to put the first run on the board and emotionally deflate the excited fans still in their seats.

The base hit by Arencibia was the first by the Rangers since Adrian Beltre’s lead-off single in the seventh inning.

Brett Gardner led off the bottom of the inning with a double. With one out, the man who can do no wrong, Jacoby Ellsbury, drove in the run that tied the score. The run batted in was Ellsbury’s fifth in the first five games of the current home stand.

Two newcomers who were appearing in their first games as Yankees were the heroes.

In the 14th, Jeff Francis, the seventh and final reliever of the game for the Yankees, entered the contest. Francis had been acquired Oakland on July 11. The veteran of 11 major league seasons was appearing in his first game in pinstripes. He had last pitched in a game on July 2. Twenty days later, he kept the Rangers scoreless for the inning and earned the win. Despite the 20 days between games, Francis told reporters he felt in shape to play, “I did what I needed to do to stay sharp. I don’t feel I’m behind.”

The Yankees bullpen did everything possible to give the Yanks an opportunity to obtain the victory. The seven relievers pitched eight innings and gave up only one run and four hits.

The Yankees put together their final and winning rally after the second seven inning stretch of the conterst. Brian Roberts hit a grounds rule double into the stands in right. Francisco Cervelli singled, moving Roberts to third. Chase Headley, who had been acquired earlier in the day from the San Diego Padres for fellow third sacker Yangervis Solarte, singled to end the game and put the Yankees in the winning column.

Yankee skipper Joe Girardi described Headley’s arrival during the game, “Chase came into the dugout at 7:30 or 7:40 and introduced himself.”

Headley’s first game as a Yankee was his 909th as  major leaguer. He explained his emotions, “I’m just trying to do my job and become a part of this franchise. It’s great to be a part of a pennant race.”

The game that seemed it would never end, saw 37 players used and took 4:51 until it was over.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bad Seed Robs Florist,

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bad Seed Robs Florist,: Bad Seed Robs Florist, iPhone stickup at motel By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 17- Something stinks at a Throggs Neck florist. Cops ...

Bad Seed Robs Florist,

Bad Seed Robs Florist,

iPhone stickup at motel

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 17- Something stinks at a Throggs Neck florist. Cops released surveillance video of a man, they say, robbed the local florist. 

At around  9 p.m. on July 9, cops say a man cut the front gate of Jerome Florist on East Tremont Avenue. The suspect entered the store, broke into the register and removed an undetermined amount of cash.

Investigators released surveillance video of the suspect who is described as a 25-year-old white male. He is six feet tall and weighs 200 pounds. 

In an unrelated case, police are asking for the public’s help to catch a suspect who robbed a motel guest at gunpoint.

At around 4:30 a.m. on July 13, the suspect slipped inside the Sheridan Hotel at 1440 Sheridan Expressway and approached a 22-year-old woman inside the hotel. The suspect pulled out a black revolver and demanded cash and belongings. Cops say the gunman made off with $900 and an iPhone. 

The gunman is described as a 30-year-old black male. He is 6 foot 3 and weighs 220 pounds. He has brown eyes and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a red baseball cap, black sneakers, black sweatshirt and dark blue jeans.

Anyone with information on either case is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls are confidential.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Jobs wanted

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Jobs wanted: Jobs wanted --Photo by David Greene Hundreds of Bronxites turned out for the second annual Bronx Jobs Fair held at DeWitt Clinton High Sc...