Monday, August 25, 2014
Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yankees showing they are not going away
Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yankees showing they are not going away: Yankees showing they are not going away By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 25- If the New York Yankees manage to sneak into the pos...
Yankees showing they are not going away
Yankees showing they are not going away
By Rich Mancuso
BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 25- If the New York Yankees manage to sneak into the post season as that second wild card team, they will look at their win in extra innings Sunday afternoon against the Chicago White Sox as one that helped them get to October. This time it was a Brian McCann 10th inning walk-off three-run home run that propelled them to their fourth straight win, 7-4, and a three-game sweep of the series.
Sunday it was McCann who came off the bench and became the hero. The schedule won’t get easier during this stretch run, 22 of their next 31 games against teams with winning records. But the Yankees departed the Bronx as a confident team with momentum, after a 5-2 home stand that got off to a bad start losing their first two against the lowly Houston Astros.
There is this sudden fight that was not evident weeks ago. The Yankees are showing teams in front of them, and their fans, that they are not going away that easy. The next four games they play two of those teams with winning records, a makeup game Monday night at central division leading Kansas City and three at the Detroit Tigers.
After their Thursday afternoon finale in Detroit, perhaps there will be a better perspective regarding this Yankees late season surge for a post-season spot.
“It’s a much better feeling when we are leaving,” manager Joe Girardi said. “Consider who we were facing and were able to come back.” He was referring to the how his team coped with White Sox’ starter Chris Sale who came into the game as one of the premiere pitchers in the game at 10-3 and a 2.12 ERA.
It was to the Yankees another big win of the year, just like the one they had Friday night when newcomer Martin Prado had a walk-off game winning hit in the ninth inning. And it was a huge win to keep pace with those teams in front of them. After opposing the Royals’ James Shield (12-6) Monday night, the task is trying to beat two of the Tigers best.
Rick Porcello and David Price, both with records of 14-8, and with successful win ratios opposing the Yankees, could take away whatever momentum was gained this week in the Bronx and over the past four games.
But don’t tell the Yankees they can’t do it. They say this is what baseball is all about and that they will be in this until the end.
“It’s what you play for,” McCann said about his sixth career “walk-off” hit, a home run that went over the 314-sign in the right field corner. It was his second dramatic game ending hit of the season that came off a change-up on a full count. The Yankees are playing their best baseball of the season right now, again also taking into the fact that these last four wins have come against two teams that are playing for next year and have nothing to lose.
And as they say in baseball, you need to get the games that are winnable, and beat teams that you are expected to handle. The Yankees have come to realize how true that is.
The enthusiasm is showing in the clubhouse. McCann, who experienced his first award winning moment as a Yankee said “The atmosphere is better, everything is better.” Winning of course will change the environment and the post game clubhouse was distinctly different from what was seen after those two let downs with Houston that started the home stand.
The lineup Girardi put on the field was also different. McCann sat and Francisco Cervelli got the start behind the plate. Derek Jeter was in the leadoff spot for the third time this season and Brett Gardner, who has been the Yankees most consistent hitter, had the day off with a bruised right ankle that was sustained in their win Saturday.
As for what McCann did off the bench, Girardi said, “It just shows you that he had stayed ready all day. Mentally, he was ready.” Girardi did say that taking four of six would be a good home stand, and that’s good enough to keep this run going, realizing that at anytime the Yankees could once again revert to losing games in the late innings as they did so often this season.
But Gardner may have said it best: “A lot of times, the team that wins the World Series isn't the best team all year, but the team that gets hot. We're good enough. We just have to play the way we're capable of playing."
It will have to be a remarkable ending though for the Yankees to be one of those post season teams, but the way schedules are structured with teams they have to bypass, this stretch run could be to their advantage. They have to keep winning and that is always the prevailing question mark with this Yankees team.
And the win was almost questionable in the ninth inning.
Girardi went to his closer David Robertson for the save. He let a curve get away and was charged with his first blown save since June 1. Avisail Garcia led off the inning and on the first pitch hit a home run that cleared the right field stands, thus ending 22 straight save opportunities, second longest in baseball this season.
The manager may be using his closer at the right moment, and has been also seen again, the Yankees bullpen is overused and susceptible to the home run ball. Robertson was used a third consecutive day and gave up the game trying home run, Tuesday night to Chris Carter of the Astros.
Carlos Beltran is feeling better. The cortisone shot to a right elbow has put him back in the lineup and Beltran was a part of that inning before the McCann heroics when he doubled off losing pitcher Jake Peticka (0-3) with two outs. Girardi said Beltran is feeling good and a healthy and productive Carlos Beltran is what the Yankees need to make this an interesting playoff run.
“We’re playing good baseball,” Beltran said. “Things are going our way.” Six games out of first place in the division, as the made up some ground with the Orioles who hit a little struggle. That second wild card is in reach, 3.5 games separate them from Seattle and Detroit.
The late additions to this team have also made a difference. Chris Capuano made his sixth start and with the exception of giving up two home run balls, his six innings were effective. Girardi did say, the new additions make a difference because they are healthy and have experience.
But it all comes down to this: The Yankees these past four games have been a better team and this week it could determine if they are going to be playing for something down the stretch and not going away.
COMMENT RICH MANCUSO: Ring786@aol.com Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso www.newyorksportsexaminer.com
By Rich Mancuso
BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 25- If the New York Yankees manage to sneak into the post season as that second wild card team, they will look at their win in extra innings Sunday afternoon against the Chicago White Sox as one that helped them get to October. This time it was a Brian McCann 10th inning walk-off three-run home run that propelled them to their fourth straight win, 7-4, and a three-game sweep of the series.
Sunday it was McCann who came off the bench and became the hero. The schedule won’t get easier during this stretch run, 22 of their next 31 games against teams with winning records. But the Yankees departed the Bronx as a confident team with momentum, after a 5-2 home stand that got off to a bad start losing their first two against the lowly Houston Astros.
There is this sudden fight that was not evident weeks ago. The Yankees are showing teams in front of them, and their fans, that they are not going away that easy. The next four games they play two of those teams with winning records, a makeup game Monday night at central division leading Kansas City and three at the Detroit Tigers.
After their Thursday afternoon finale in Detroit, perhaps there will be a better perspective regarding this Yankees late season surge for a post-season spot.
“It’s a much better feeling when we are leaving,” manager Joe Girardi said. “Consider who we were facing and were able to come back.” He was referring to the how his team coped with White Sox’ starter Chris Sale who came into the game as one of the premiere pitchers in the game at 10-3 and a 2.12 ERA.
It was to the Yankees another big win of the year, just like the one they had Friday night when newcomer Martin Prado had a walk-off game winning hit in the ninth inning. And it was a huge win to keep pace with those teams in front of them. After opposing the Royals’ James Shield (12-6) Monday night, the task is trying to beat two of the Tigers best.
Rick Porcello and David Price, both with records of 14-8, and with successful win ratios opposing the Yankees, could take away whatever momentum was gained this week in the Bronx and over the past four games.
But don’t tell the Yankees they can’t do it. They say this is what baseball is all about and that they will be in this until the end.
“It’s what you play for,” McCann said about his sixth career “walk-off” hit, a home run that went over the 314-sign in the right field corner. It was his second dramatic game ending hit of the season that came off a change-up on a full count. The Yankees are playing their best baseball of the season right now, again also taking into the fact that these last four wins have come against two teams that are playing for next year and have nothing to lose.
And as they say in baseball, you need to get the games that are winnable, and beat teams that you are expected to handle. The Yankees have come to realize how true that is.
The enthusiasm is showing in the clubhouse. McCann, who experienced his first award winning moment as a Yankee said “The atmosphere is better, everything is better.” Winning of course will change the environment and the post game clubhouse was distinctly different from what was seen after those two let downs with Houston that started the home stand.
The lineup Girardi put on the field was also different. McCann sat and Francisco Cervelli got the start behind the plate. Derek Jeter was in the leadoff spot for the third time this season and Brett Gardner, who has been the Yankees most consistent hitter, had the day off with a bruised right ankle that was sustained in their win Saturday.
As for what McCann did off the bench, Girardi said, “It just shows you that he had stayed ready all day. Mentally, he was ready.” Girardi did say that taking four of six would be a good home stand, and that’s good enough to keep this run going, realizing that at anytime the Yankees could once again revert to losing games in the late innings as they did so often this season.
But Gardner may have said it best: “A lot of times, the team that wins the World Series isn't the best team all year, but the team that gets hot. We're good enough. We just have to play the way we're capable of playing."
It will have to be a remarkable ending though for the Yankees to be one of those post season teams, but the way schedules are structured with teams they have to bypass, this stretch run could be to their advantage. They have to keep winning and that is always the prevailing question mark with this Yankees team.
And the win was almost questionable in the ninth inning.
Girardi went to his closer David Robertson for the save. He let a curve get away and was charged with his first blown save since June 1. Avisail Garcia led off the inning and on the first pitch hit a home run that cleared the right field stands, thus ending 22 straight save opportunities, second longest in baseball this season.
The manager may be using his closer at the right moment, and has been also seen again, the Yankees bullpen is overused and susceptible to the home run ball. Robertson was used a third consecutive day and gave up the game trying home run, Tuesday night to Chris Carter of the Astros.
Carlos Beltran is feeling better. The cortisone shot to a right elbow has put him back in the lineup and Beltran was a part of that inning before the McCann heroics when he doubled off losing pitcher Jake Peticka (0-3) with two outs. Girardi said Beltran is feeling good and a healthy and productive Carlos Beltran is what the Yankees need to make this an interesting playoff run.
“We’re playing good baseball,” Beltran said. “Things are going our way.” Six games out of first place in the division, as the made up some ground with the Orioles who hit a little struggle. That second wild card is in reach, 3.5 games separate them from Seattle and Detroit.
The late additions to this team have also made a difference. Chris Capuano made his sixth start and with the exception of giving up two home run balls, his six innings were effective. Girardi did say, the new additions make a difference because they are healthy and have experience.
But it all comes down to this: The Yankees these past four games have been a better team and this week it could determine if they are going to be playing for something down the stretch and not going away.
COMMENT RICH MANCUSO: Ring786@aol.com Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso www.newyorksportsexaminer.com
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yanks Defeat White Sox, 5-3
Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yanks Defeat White Sox, 5-3: Martin Prado Strikes Again Yanks Defeat White Sox, 5-3 By Howard Goldin BRONX, AUGUST 23- The Yankees added to their effort to reach a ...
Yanks Defeat White Sox, 5-3
Martin Prado Strikes Again
Yanks Defeat White Sox, 5-3
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, AUGUST 23- The Yankees added to their effort to reach a playoff spot this season with a 5-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday afternoon. There was some degree of pressure as they were performing in front of a sell-out crowd of 47,594 as well as in front of Yankee heroes who had earned four World Championships in five years under the direction of manager Joe Torre, who was saluted in a pre-game ceremony. In addition, Yankees Managing Partner Hal Steinbrenner was in the ballpark.
Torre threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Torre’s successor, Joe Girardi spoke of the importance of the Yankee win, “It’s nice to win on a day like this. So many [great Yankees] came back. Joe [Torre] meant a lot to a lot of people.”
Yankee pitching was again worthy of praise and worthy of securing a win. Hiroki Kuroda, the only member of the Opening Day starting rotation not to be on the disabled list this year, posted his 16th quality start, his fifth in succession. The 39 year-old yielded only five hits and two runs in his six inning stint.
Two consecutive doubles by Conor Gillespie and Alexi Ramirez to start the second brought in the first Chicago run.
The other White Sox run off Kuroda came in the fifth. Alejandro de Aza led-off by drawing a walk. He moved to second on a wild pitch and was plated on a double by Jose Abreu. The Cuban native is moving to easily capture the Rookie of the Year award. The sensation is batting .307 with 33 home runs and 94 runs batted in. Abreu still has 33 games remaining to add to his already impressive totals.
After the game, the Yankee manager stressed Kuroda’s importance as the season nears its end, “We need him down the stretch. He has the most experience out there.”
As on the previous night, Martin Prado was crucial to the win. On Friday night, Prado hit a two-run homer and a walk-off single in the ninth. He did no less on Saturday afternoon. He singled in the second with two men on base. In the fourth, he doubled in two runs. Two innings later, he again doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly.
Girardi expressed his happiness with obtaining Prado for the Yankees, “He’s a good player. He grinds it out every day. He moves around. He gives us flexibility. He’s been a good acquisition.”
Yankee starter, Brandon McCarthy, who was a teammate of Prado on Arizona expected Prado to do well as a Yankee. Shortly after the versatile player was acquired, McCarthy told reporters, “I think that [coming to the Yankees] is going to bring out the best in him [Prado]. He was discouraged in Arizona.”
Rather than take bows for his accomplishments, Prado credited the entire team, ‘It was a team win and it was a team effort.”
The three game series and the Yankee homestand will conclude with a Sunday matinee.
Yanks Defeat White Sox, 5-3
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, AUGUST 23- The Yankees added to their effort to reach a playoff spot this season with a 5-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday afternoon. There was some degree of pressure as they were performing in front of a sell-out crowd of 47,594 as well as in front of Yankee heroes who had earned four World Championships in five years under the direction of manager Joe Torre, who was saluted in a pre-game ceremony. In addition, Yankees Managing Partner Hal Steinbrenner was in the ballpark.
Torre threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Torre’s successor, Joe Girardi spoke of the importance of the Yankee win, “It’s nice to win on a day like this. So many [great Yankees] came back. Joe [Torre] meant a lot to a lot of people.”
Yankee pitching was again worthy of praise and worthy of securing a win. Hiroki Kuroda, the only member of the Opening Day starting rotation not to be on the disabled list this year, posted his 16th quality start, his fifth in succession. The 39 year-old yielded only five hits and two runs in his six inning stint.
Two consecutive doubles by Conor Gillespie and Alexi Ramirez to start the second brought in the first Chicago run.
The other White Sox run off Kuroda came in the fifth. Alejandro de Aza led-off by drawing a walk. He moved to second on a wild pitch and was plated on a double by Jose Abreu. The Cuban native is moving to easily capture the Rookie of the Year award. The sensation is batting .307 with 33 home runs and 94 runs batted in. Abreu still has 33 games remaining to add to his already impressive totals.
After the game, the Yankee manager stressed Kuroda’s importance as the season nears its end, “We need him down the stretch. He has the most experience out there.”
As on the previous night, Martin Prado was crucial to the win. On Friday night, Prado hit a two-run homer and a walk-off single in the ninth. He did no less on Saturday afternoon. He singled in the second with two men on base. In the fourth, he doubled in two runs. Two innings later, he again doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly.
Girardi expressed his happiness with obtaining Prado for the Yankees, “He’s a good player. He grinds it out every day. He moves around. He gives us flexibility. He’s been a good acquisition.”
Yankee starter, Brandon McCarthy, who was a teammate of Prado on Arizona expected Prado to do well as a Yankee. Shortly after the versatile player was acquired, McCarthy told reporters, “I think that [coming to the Yankees] is going to bring out the best in him [Prado]. He was discouraged in Arizona.”
Rather than take bows for his accomplishments, Prado credited the entire team, ‘It was a team win and it was a team effort.”
The three game series and the Yankee homestand will conclude with a Sunday matinee.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yankees get a walk-off win and for a night things ...
Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yankees get a walk-off win and for a night things ...: Yankees get a walk-off win and for a night things went right By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK,AUGUST 23- Not many games have played out t...
Yankees get a walk-off win and for a night things went right
Yankees get a walk-off win and for a night things went right
By Rich Mancuso
BRONX, NEW YORK,AUGUST 23- Not many games have played out the way they did for the New York Yankees Friday night, but for a change there was solid pitching out of the bullpen, good defense, and most of all a game winning walk-off single in the ninth inning. And the hero was Martin Prado in the Yankees 4-3 win over the Chicago White Sox.
Brett Gardner said it was “the biggest win of the year.” Prado, who has become a versatile pick-up for the Yankees, said about his walk-off bases loaded single, “I can describe that as one of the biggest moments of my career.”
Maybe a big win for the Yankees Friday night, only because this was another one of those games they needed to win if they have any chance of one or two wild card spots in the American League. Already they lost two of three this week to the lowly Houston Astros. Now they need two more wins Saturday and Sunday afternoons against the White Sox, another team the Yankees are, expected to handle.
But, to reiterate, teams the Yankees are supposed to handle have become a task. It seemed to be going in that direction again, that is until Prado came to bat with the bases loaded in that ninth inning. Until then, once again the Yankees had their chances against Chicago starter John Danks and the awful White Sox bullpen.
The Yankees seemed more aggressive at the plate, and maybe a clubhouse meeting Thursday, still not known what was said, provided some spark, but they were hardly outstanding getting runners home again, 3-for-13.
Prado, a veteran, recorded his fifth career “walk-off” hit. “He’s looked really good,” said manager Joe Girardi.
Important again, as Girardi reiterated because his team is behind in the wild card standings and the only way to catch up is to win games. It also helped that Prado smacked his third home run as a Yankee with one on, in the third inning, that put the Yankees back in the game after Shane Green gave up three runs in the first.
The last two wins for the Yankees it has been the mid-season acquisitions that have done the job. Thursday afternoon it was the complete game shutout pitching of Brandon McCarthy, and this night it was Martin Prado. In a limited amount of time in the Bronx, McCarthy and Prado may have made more of an impact than the off-season and lucrative acquisitions of Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran.
It certainly appears to be that way now, about how these moves of GM Brian Cashman have materialized for the better but the question is, with the Yankees in an uphill battle can they sustain the momentum and make a remarkable run for that post-season spot? That remains to be seen because of the inconsistency and there are doubts the Yankees can go on a vicious streak to make that run.
However, the last two games in the Bronx bring some type of hope. It is the close game the Yankees have not been able to win, and they did it in grand style with that Prado game winning hit. He had a great at bat, working to a full count on seven pitches. The last pitch off losing pitcher Daniel Webb went up the middle, and scored Ichiro Suzuki who opened the inning with a single.
Girardi said Prado made a quick adjustment with his new team. Extra batting practice has also helped his approach at the plate, and for the Yankees overall, extra swings before the game seem to have adjusted their approach a bit.
“It was a great win for this team,” Prado explained. “We all performed as a team and that’s all that matters by now.” The bullpen also came up strong, something that contributed to this first of a three game series win as Dellin Betances and David Robertson had no issues.
Robertson pitched the ninth, got the win and became the fastest Yankee to compile 500 strikeouts in team history. Betances had two strikeouts in 1/2-3 innings, staying consistent again with 113 strikeouts in 83 1/3 innings pitched. Where would the Yankees be, especially in close games without Betances, especially the way this offense has performed?
“Today was one of our better days,” Robertson said, “nice to get a win that way, especially nine innings.”
And a game that went the Yankees way for a change. But the reality is one win has to lead to more because the Yankees see that time is not on their side. Three teams are ahead of them and a 3.5 game deficit, though not much will require winning a lot of their remaining 36 games.
Not impossible, but with these Yankees, this season, the odds have not been very good.
Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso www.newyorksportsexaminer.com
By Rich Mancuso
BRONX, NEW YORK,AUGUST 23- Not many games have played out the way they did for the New York Yankees Friday night, but for a change there was solid pitching out of the bullpen, good defense, and most of all a game winning walk-off single in the ninth inning. And the hero was Martin Prado in the Yankees 4-3 win over the Chicago White Sox.
Brett Gardner said it was “the biggest win of the year.” Prado, who has become a versatile pick-up for the Yankees, said about his walk-off bases loaded single, “I can describe that as one of the biggest moments of my career.”
Maybe a big win for the Yankees Friday night, only because this was another one of those games they needed to win if they have any chance of one or two wild card spots in the American League. Already they lost two of three this week to the lowly Houston Astros. Now they need two more wins Saturday and Sunday afternoons against the White Sox, another team the Yankees are, expected to handle.
But, to reiterate, teams the Yankees are supposed to handle have become a task. It seemed to be going in that direction again, that is until Prado came to bat with the bases loaded in that ninth inning. Until then, once again the Yankees had their chances against Chicago starter John Danks and the awful White Sox bullpen.
The Yankees seemed more aggressive at the plate, and maybe a clubhouse meeting Thursday, still not known what was said, provided some spark, but they were hardly outstanding getting runners home again, 3-for-13.
Prado, a veteran, recorded his fifth career “walk-off” hit. “He’s looked really good,” said manager Joe Girardi.
Important again, as Girardi reiterated because his team is behind in the wild card standings and the only way to catch up is to win games. It also helped that Prado smacked his third home run as a Yankee with one on, in the third inning, that put the Yankees back in the game after Shane Green gave up three runs in the first.
The last two wins for the Yankees it has been the mid-season acquisitions that have done the job. Thursday afternoon it was the complete game shutout pitching of Brandon McCarthy, and this night it was Martin Prado. In a limited amount of time in the Bronx, McCarthy and Prado may have made more of an impact than the off-season and lucrative acquisitions of Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran.
It certainly appears to be that way now, about how these moves of GM Brian Cashman have materialized for the better but the question is, with the Yankees in an uphill battle can they sustain the momentum and make a remarkable run for that post-season spot? That remains to be seen because of the inconsistency and there are doubts the Yankees can go on a vicious streak to make that run.
However, the last two games in the Bronx bring some type of hope. It is the close game the Yankees have not been able to win, and they did it in grand style with that Prado game winning hit. He had a great at bat, working to a full count on seven pitches. The last pitch off losing pitcher Daniel Webb went up the middle, and scored Ichiro Suzuki who opened the inning with a single.
Girardi said Prado made a quick adjustment with his new team. Extra batting practice has also helped his approach at the plate, and for the Yankees overall, extra swings before the game seem to have adjusted their approach a bit.
“It was a great win for this team,” Prado explained. “We all performed as a team and that’s all that matters by now.” The bullpen also came up strong, something that contributed to this first of a three game series win as Dellin Betances and David Robertson had no issues.
Robertson pitched the ninth, got the win and became the fastest Yankee to compile 500 strikeouts in team history. Betances had two strikeouts in 1/2-3 innings, staying consistent again with 113 strikeouts in 83 1/3 innings pitched. Where would the Yankees be, especially in close games without Betances, especially the way this offense has performed?
“Today was one of our better days,” Robertson said, “nice to get a win that way, especially nine innings.”
And a game that went the Yankees way for a change. But the reality is one win has to lead to more because the Yankees see that time is not on their side. Three teams are ahead of them and a 3.5 game deficit, though not much will require winning a lot of their remaining 36 games.
Not impossible, but with these Yankees, this season, the odds have not been very good.
Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso www.newyorksportsexaminer.com
Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Derek Jeter’s Final Press Conference
Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Derek Jeter’s Final Press Conference: Derek Jeter’s Final Press Conference with the Spanish Language Media By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK,AUGUST 23- On Friday afternoon at ...
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