Friday, July 21, 2006
Johnson, Yanks fall in finale
07/19/2006
NEW YORK -- In the top of the eighth inning, pitching coach Ron Guidry came to the top of the dugout steps and began waving a white towel to get the attention of someone in the bullpen.
The bullpen phone was off the hook and 42-year-old Randy Johnson was well over the 100-pitch count.
But the technical difficulties weren't what allowed Johnson to rack up 129 pitches on Wednesday against the Mariners -- his highest count since 2002.
It was Johnson's desire to stay in the game until he won it.
Unfortunately for Johnson and the Yankees, that didn't happen. They fell, 3-2, to Seattle in the series finale when Johnson allowed a game-winning sacrifice fly later in the eighth. But Johnson still wasn't finished even after falling behind.
He had thrown 123 pitches when Joe Torre walked to the hill following the sacrifice fly. Torre only had one question: "Are you all right?"
"When I was halfway to the mound I saw the eyes and I knew he was in there," Torre said. "He had pitched his heart out to that point. I just wanted to make sure he had something left in the tank."
Even surprising to catcher Kelly Stinnett, Johnson did. After determining Johnson was fine to still pitch, the only issue was who he'd pitch to. Richie Sexson, who earlier hit a solo homer off Johnson, was due next. Johnson didn't budge, blowing a high fastball past the Mariners slugger to end the inning and his day.
Johnson was hit with the loss, the Yankees' first since the All-Star break and Johnson's eighth of the season. But the lefty's tenacity was "vintage" according to Torre.
Johnson finished having allowed three runs, two of which were earned, in eight full innings. He also struck out a season-high 11 batters while only walking one.
"It seemed like he was stronger in the last inning than he was earlier in the game," Stinnett said. "So maybe it was good to stretch him out a little bit."
Seattle starter Gil Meche was just as impressive, tossing a perfect game through four innings. But unlike Johnson, Meche waned as the game went on. Meche was cruising until the sixth when he allowed the Yankees' first run on a Derek Jeter RBI single. He threw 36 pitches in the inning.
The Yankees tied the game in the seventh when Andy Phillips doubled to right-center field, bringing Alex Rodriguez home from first on a close play at the plate.
Mariners catcher Rene Rivera leapt up to argue the call, turning his back to the field, so Andy Phillips broke for third base. He reached without a throw but third base umpire Andy Fletcher said Phillips had to return to second base because Fletcher had called time before Phillips left the bag.
In something not seen often in baseball, both managers came out to argue different plays at the same time. Neither ruling was changed, leaving the score tied and Phillips on second with no outs.
Pinch-hitter Miguel Cario's sacrifice bunt moved Phillips to third with one out. But Seattle brought in reliever Mark Lowe, who struck out Bernie Williams and got a long flyout by Stinnett to end the inning.
"That was the most ridiculous call I've ever seen," Rodriguez said. "It changes the whole scenario. It's a big momentum change, too. You put a lot of pressure on Bernie Williams to get that run in against a kid that's very capable. It's just an awful call."
Like the Yankees did a night before when they benefited from a not-so-close call at first base, the Mariners capitalized. Ichiro led off by tapping a ball in front of home plate, but he beat Stinnett's throw. Ichiro then stole second and advanced to third on the play due to a throwing error by Stinnett. Raul Ibanez drove in the eventual game-winner with his sacrifice fly.
Johnson didn't speak with print reporters after the game, but his coach and teammates spoke for him.
Asked if Wednesday's Johnson reminded him of the one he played with in Seattle, Rodriguez confidently said, "No." That was 10 years ago, he said, and things have changed.
But after Wednesday's game there's no question Johnson's competitive fire to stay in the game until he's on top is still there -- even when it doesn't work out that way.
Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/
NEW YORK -- In the top of the eighth inning, pitching coach Ron Guidry came to the top of the dugout steps and began waving a white towel to get the attention of someone in the bullpen.
The bullpen phone was off the hook and 42-year-old Randy Johnson was well over the 100-pitch count.
But the technical difficulties weren't what allowed Johnson to rack up 129 pitches on Wednesday against the Mariners -- his highest count since 2002.
It was Johnson's desire to stay in the game until he won it.
Unfortunately for Johnson and the Yankees, that didn't happen. They fell, 3-2, to Seattle in the series finale when Johnson allowed a game-winning sacrifice fly later in the eighth. But Johnson still wasn't finished even after falling behind.
He had thrown 123 pitches when Joe Torre walked to the hill following the sacrifice fly. Torre only had one question: "Are you all right?"
"When I was halfway to the mound I saw the eyes and I knew he was in there," Torre said. "He had pitched his heart out to that point. I just wanted to make sure he had something left in the tank."
Even surprising to catcher Kelly Stinnett, Johnson did. After determining Johnson was fine to still pitch, the only issue was who he'd pitch to. Richie Sexson, who earlier hit a solo homer off Johnson, was due next. Johnson didn't budge, blowing a high fastball past the Mariners slugger to end the inning and his day.
Johnson was hit with the loss, the Yankees' first since the All-Star break and Johnson's eighth of the season. But the lefty's tenacity was "vintage" according to Torre.
Johnson finished having allowed three runs, two of which were earned, in eight full innings. He also struck out a season-high 11 batters while only walking one.
"It seemed like he was stronger in the last inning than he was earlier in the game," Stinnett said. "So maybe it was good to stretch him out a little bit."
Seattle starter Gil Meche was just as impressive, tossing a perfect game through four innings. But unlike Johnson, Meche waned as the game went on. Meche was cruising until the sixth when he allowed the Yankees' first run on a Derek Jeter RBI single. He threw 36 pitches in the inning.
The Yankees tied the game in the seventh when Andy Phillips doubled to right-center field, bringing Alex Rodriguez home from first on a close play at the plate.
Mariners catcher Rene Rivera leapt up to argue the call, turning his back to the field, so Andy Phillips broke for third base. He reached without a throw but third base umpire Andy Fletcher said Phillips had to return to second base because Fletcher had called time before Phillips left the bag.
In something not seen often in baseball, both managers came out to argue different plays at the same time. Neither ruling was changed, leaving the score tied and Phillips on second with no outs.
Pinch-hitter Miguel Cario's sacrifice bunt moved Phillips to third with one out. But Seattle brought in reliever Mark Lowe, who struck out Bernie Williams and got a long flyout by Stinnett to end the inning.
"That was the most ridiculous call I've ever seen," Rodriguez said. "It changes the whole scenario. It's a big momentum change, too. You put a lot of pressure on Bernie Williams to get that run in against a kid that's very capable. It's just an awful call."
Like the Yankees did a night before when they benefited from a not-so-close call at first base, the Mariners capitalized. Ichiro led off by tapping a ball in front of home plate, but he beat Stinnett's throw. Ichiro then stole second and advanced to third on the play due to a throwing error by Stinnett. Raul Ibanez drove in the eventual game-winner with his sacrifice fly.
Johnson didn't speak with print reporters after the game, but his coach and teammates spoke for him.
Asked if Wednesday's Johnson reminded him of the one he played with in Seattle, Rodriguez confidently said, "No." That was 10 years ago, he said, and things have changed.
But after Wednesday's game there's no question Johnson's competitive fire to stay in the game until he's on top is still there -- even when it doesn't work out that way.
Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/
Notes: Another setback for Dotel
07/20/2006
TORONTO -- Just when it looked like Octavio Dotel was ready to return from the disabled list and give the Yankees' bullpen a boost, the right-hander suffered another setback on Thursday afternoon, clouding his timetable.
Dotel pitched a scoreless inning for Class A Staten Island, allowing two hits while striking out one against Williamsport. But after the outing, Dotel told special pitching instructor Rich Monteleone that he had what Joe Torre described as "soreness or tenderness" in his right arm.
"He didn't feel like his arm had a lot of pop today," Torre said. "He didn't throw a couple of pitches and say, 'I can't do this.' He pitched his inning, so in my mind, it's nothing more than that he's not ready yet."
General manager Brian Cashman said that Dotel's latest problem is located in the same spot behind his surgically repaired elbow as his last setback, which turned out to be tendinitis. Dotel, who will visit team physician Dr. Stuart Hershon on Friday, had his rehab assignment shut down from June 20 to July 15 when that first problem cropped up.
"We were close enough to get excited, no question," Torre said. "When you go back and think about the type of surgery it was, that's why you're always cautious about how quickly you rehab and bring people along. I know he has to be frustrated by it. We certainly feel for him."
Dotel underwent Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery last June, and the Yankees signed him this winter to a one-year, $2 million contract with the expectations that he would join them sometime in late-June or early-July.
The Yankees were hoping to add Dotel to the mix of late-inning relievers, joining Scott Proctor, Kyle Farnsworth and Ron Villone.
"We were counting on him to show up here on Sunday," Torre said. "Even then, we weren't going to use him in the eighth inning of a close game; but at least it would have been progress. If things went well, he'd eventually wind up in that role. It wasn't to be."
Progress for Matsui: Hideki Matsui visited hand specialist Dr. Melvin Rosenwasser on Thursday, receiving a good report on his surgically repaired left wrist.
Rosenwasser said that Matsui's bones have fused together perfectly, though he is still experiencing lingering muscular pain, which is normal after this surgery. Once that pain subsides, Matsui will be cleared to take batting practice.
"He's doing well," Cashman said. "He's not swinging a bat yet. I'd rather not say when I think he can; we'll just wait until the doctors clear him."
Matsui will travel to Tampa on Friday to resume his rehabilitation at the Yankees' training complex. He may return to New York in the coming weeks for another visit with the doctor. Matsui is targeting a mid-August return to the Yankees.
Gary Sheffield, who is also recovering from left wrist surgery, visited this week with Dr. Charles Melone, also a hand specialist. Sheffield is scheduled to have his cast removed next week, but there is no clear timetable for his return.
"Nothing to report right now," Cashman said. "He's doing well."
Torre said that he hasn't figured out exactly what he will do with Melky Cabrera, Bernie Williams or Aaron Guiel once Matsui and/or Sheffield return, but he isn't worried about that right now.
"When it gets close, we'll figure it out," Torre said. "When Matsui or Sheff is out there taking fly balls, we'll have plenty of time to make that plan."
Posada in action: Jorge Posada returned to the starting lineup on Thursday after missing Wednesday's game with a bruised right index finger, the result of a foul ball in Tuesday's game.
"It doesn't take much to get well with an index finger," Torre said. "An index finger, especially on your throwing hand, once the swelling gets out, you're back in action. Hopefully it will stay that way."
Sid on the way: Sidney Ponson did not travel to Toronto with the Yankees on Wednesday night, as there were complications with his visa to enter Canada.
Ponson, who is from Aruba, was not scheduled to play in Canada this season with the Cardinals, so no paperwork was ever filed for him to obtain a visa.
Ponson threw a bullpen session before the Staten Island game on Thursday and is scheduled to join the Yankees at Rogers Centre on Friday. He will start on Sunday for New York.
One day at a time: Torre will keep a close eye on Alex Rodriguez's sore left toe this weekend, as the Yankees play four games on the artificial turf in Toronto.
Rodriguez said Wednesday that he may not play all four games, but Torre wasn't so quick to back that plan.
"He's going to be written down [in the lineup]," Torre said. "If there's a problem, we'll talk about it. I know this stuff plays havoc on the feet and legs, and I know that thing is still sore. We'll monitor that as we go along."
Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/
TORONTO -- Just when it looked like Octavio Dotel was ready to return from the disabled list and give the Yankees' bullpen a boost, the right-hander suffered another setback on Thursday afternoon, clouding his timetable.
Dotel pitched a scoreless inning for Class A Staten Island, allowing two hits while striking out one against Williamsport. But after the outing, Dotel told special pitching instructor Rich Monteleone that he had what Joe Torre described as "soreness or tenderness" in his right arm.
"He didn't feel like his arm had a lot of pop today," Torre said. "He didn't throw a couple of pitches and say, 'I can't do this.' He pitched his inning, so in my mind, it's nothing more than that he's not ready yet."
General manager Brian Cashman said that Dotel's latest problem is located in the same spot behind his surgically repaired elbow as his last setback, which turned out to be tendinitis. Dotel, who will visit team physician Dr. Stuart Hershon on Friday, had his rehab assignment shut down from June 20 to July 15 when that first problem cropped up.
"We were close enough to get excited, no question," Torre said. "When you go back and think about the type of surgery it was, that's why you're always cautious about how quickly you rehab and bring people along. I know he has to be frustrated by it. We certainly feel for him."
Dotel underwent Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery last June, and the Yankees signed him this winter to a one-year, $2 million contract with the expectations that he would join them sometime in late-June or early-July.
The Yankees were hoping to add Dotel to the mix of late-inning relievers, joining Scott Proctor, Kyle Farnsworth and Ron Villone.
"We were counting on him to show up here on Sunday," Torre said. "Even then, we weren't going to use him in the eighth inning of a close game; but at least it would have been progress. If things went well, he'd eventually wind up in that role. It wasn't to be."
Progress for Matsui: Hideki Matsui visited hand specialist Dr. Melvin Rosenwasser on Thursday, receiving a good report on his surgically repaired left wrist.
Rosenwasser said that Matsui's bones have fused together perfectly, though he is still experiencing lingering muscular pain, which is normal after this surgery. Once that pain subsides, Matsui will be cleared to take batting practice.
"He's doing well," Cashman said. "He's not swinging a bat yet. I'd rather not say when I think he can; we'll just wait until the doctors clear him."
Matsui will travel to Tampa on Friday to resume his rehabilitation at the Yankees' training complex. He may return to New York in the coming weeks for another visit with the doctor. Matsui is targeting a mid-August return to the Yankees.
Gary Sheffield, who is also recovering from left wrist surgery, visited this week with Dr. Charles Melone, also a hand specialist. Sheffield is scheduled to have his cast removed next week, but there is no clear timetable for his return.
"Nothing to report right now," Cashman said. "He's doing well."
Torre said that he hasn't figured out exactly what he will do with Melky Cabrera, Bernie Williams or Aaron Guiel once Matsui and/or Sheffield return, but he isn't worried about that right now.
"When it gets close, we'll figure it out," Torre said. "When Matsui or Sheff is out there taking fly balls, we'll have plenty of time to make that plan."
Posada in action: Jorge Posada returned to the starting lineup on Thursday after missing Wednesday's game with a bruised right index finger, the result of a foul ball in Tuesday's game.
"It doesn't take much to get well with an index finger," Torre said. "An index finger, especially on your throwing hand, once the swelling gets out, you're back in action. Hopefully it will stay that way."
Sid on the way: Sidney Ponson did not travel to Toronto with the Yankees on Wednesday night, as there were complications with his visa to enter Canada.
Ponson, who is from Aruba, was not scheduled to play in Canada this season with the Cardinals, so no paperwork was ever filed for him to obtain a visa.
Ponson threw a bullpen session before the Staten Island game on Thursday and is scheduled to join the Yankees at Rogers Centre on Friday. He will start on Sunday for New York.
One day at a time: Torre will keep a close eye on Alex Rodriguez's sore left toe this weekend, as the Yankees play four games on the artificial turf in Toronto.
Rodriguez said Wednesday that he may not play all four games, but Torre wasn't so quick to back that plan.
"He's going to be written down [in the lineup]," Torre said. "If there's a problem, we'll talk about it. I know this stuff plays havoc on the feet and legs, and I know that thing is still sore. We'll monitor that as we go along."
Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/
A-Rod's defensive woes continue
07/21/2006
TORONTO -- When it rains, it pours.
Of course, Alex Rodriguez didn't have the weather to blame for his latest mishap, a sixth-inning throwing error which helped the Blue Jays mount a four-run rally against Mike Mussina and erase a 3-0 Yankees lead.
The domed Rogers Centre protected Rodriguez from the scattered showers that hit Toronto, but Rodriguez couldn't save himself from another night of tough questions about his recent play.
"You just work at it," Rodriguez said of his play at third, where he made three errors in a game on Monday. "It's something that's not fun to go through; I have to just keep working on it. You don't want to hurt your teammates out there, so you just have to work through it."
Mussina and the Yanks were clinging to a 3-0 lead against Roy Halladay and the Blue Jays in the sixth inning, and Toronto was trying to rally with a man on third and one out. Reed Johnson chopped a ball to A-Rod at third, where he fielded it and fired home, trying to throw out Aaron Hill.
But the throw sailed by Posada, allowing Hill to score Toronto's first run while Johnson advanced to second base. Instead of a 3-0 game with two outs and nobody on base, Mussina was now faced with a 3-1 game, one out and a man at second base.
Torre had no problem with Rodriguez's decision to throw home, but he also said he would have been content had A-Rod thrown to first for the out.
"He made the right play, I thought," Torre said. "The ball was right in front of him and he never hesitated. I didn't see any indecision on his part. He just dropped [his arm] down and the ball sailed on him.
"It's an error," the manager added. "If it was somebody else who made the same play, you'd talk about the error and then go on to the next subject. Because it's Alex, you're not going to do that."
Unlike his manager, Mussina wasn't quite as pleased with the decision to throw home.
"I thought he was going to throw to first," Mussina said. "When I turned and saw him throw home, all he had to do was throw it on target and the guy would have been out by 20 feet.
"[The inning] would have probably been pretty different; I don't have to pitch guys the same way," the pitcher added. "The mentality becomes completely different. With a guy at third and one out, I'm willing to give up that run. If I'm not willing to give that run up, I start making mistakes and it turns into four runs instead of one. I'm willing to give up that run to have two outs and nobody on base."
After the error, Mussina gave up a bloop single by Frank Catalanotto, a ground-ball single by Vernon Wells and a two-run double by Troy Glaus, as the Jays took a 4-3 lead.
"It let everything happen from there," Mussina said of the error. "I was doing the same things I was doing before, it all just mounted up in one inning. It was a tough inning."
"It's frustrating as hell, obviously," Rodriguez said. "You want the inning to stop. Moose was throwing such a great game; it's just one of those things."
Rodriguez's recent throwing problems have come when he tries to sidearm his throws. He had two balls hit to him at third base on Thursday, and he made perfect overhand throws to first base on both plays.
"It's definitely important for me to get on top of the baseball, make sure it's truer," Rodriguez said. "Every other ground ball they hit to me tonight, I was real happy with my technique and my mechanics. I just have to keep working on it.
"I'm working through it; it's not easy, that's for sure, but I'm working hard," he continued. "I'm feeling pretty good. I liked the way I threw the ball across the diamond tonight, except for that one play."
Despite the fact that he is hitting .284 with 20 home runs and 68 RBIs, Rodriguez has been the focal point for the fans this season for everything that has gone wrong for the Yankees.
"That's something he's going to have to answer for," Torre said. "That's what happens when you're Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter or [Jason] Giambi. When you play for the Yankees and you make an error, it seems to mean more."
Rodriguez's 17 errors already eclipse his total from last season by four, and some of those errors have been costly to the Yankees, who trail the Red Sox by 2 1/2 games in the American League East.
"Pitchers, catchers, everybody goes through it at some point," Rodriguez said. "You have to make sure you get your target, do your footwork and stay on top of the baseball."
"I don't know what's going on; I know he needs to play better and that he's disappointed in the way he's playing," Mussina said. "It's just not him right now; we need him back the way he's supposed to be."
As Rodriguez's play continues to be inconsistent and the boos continue to mount at Yankee Stadium, there has been plenty of speculation that the two-time MVP would be better off playing for another team. Some people have even suggested that A-Rod wants out, a notion he dismissed rather quickly after Thursday's game.
"That's not true," he said. "That couldn't be further from the truth. That's a ridiculous thought."
Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/
TORONTO -- When it rains, it pours.
Of course, Alex Rodriguez didn't have the weather to blame for his latest mishap, a sixth-inning throwing error which helped the Blue Jays mount a four-run rally against Mike Mussina and erase a 3-0 Yankees lead.
The domed Rogers Centre protected Rodriguez from the scattered showers that hit Toronto, but Rodriguez couldn't save himself from another night of tough questions about his recent play.
"You just work at it," Rodriguez said of his play at third, where he made three errors in a game on Monday. "It's something that's not fun to go through; I have to just keep working on it. You don't want to hurt your teammates out there, so you just have to work through it."
Mussina and the Yanks were clinging to a 3-0 lead against Roy Halladay and the Blue Jays in the sixth inning, and Toronto was trying to rally with a man on third and one out. Reed Johnson chopped a ball to A-Rod at third, where he fielded it and fired home, trying to throw out Aaron Hill.
But the throw sailed by Posada, allowing Hill to score Toronto's first run while Johnson advanced to second base. Instead of a 3-0 game with two outs and nobody on base, Mussina was now faced with a 3-1 game, one out and a man at second base.
Torre had no problem with Rodriguez's decision to throw home, but he also said he would have been content had A-Rod thrown to first for the out.
"He made the right play, I thought," Torre said. "The ball was right in front of him and he never hesitated. I didn't see any indecision on his part. He just dropped [his arm] down and the ball sailed on him.
"It's an error," the manager added. "If it was somebody else who made the same play, you'd talk about the error and then go on to the next subject. Because it's Alex, you're not going to do that."
Unlike his manager, Mussina wasn't quite as pleased with the decision to throw home.
"I thought he was going to throw to first," Mussina said. "When I turned and saw him throw home, all he had to do was throw it on target and the guy would have been out by 20 feet.
"[The inning] would have probably been pretty different; I don't have to pitch guys the same way," the pitcher added. "The mentality becomes completely different. With a guy at third and one out, I'm willing to give up that run. If I'm not willing to give that run up, I start making mistakes and it turns into four runs instead of one. I'm willing to give up that run to have two outs and nobody on base."
After the error, Mussina gave up a bloop single by Frank Catalanotto, a ground-ball single by Vernon Wells and a two-run double by Troy Glaus, as the Jays took a 4-3 lead.
"It let everything happen from there," Mussina said of the error. "I was doing the same things I was doing before, it all just mounted up in one inning. It was a tough inning."
"It's frustrating as hell, obviously," Rodriguez said. "You want the inning to stop. Moose was throwing such a great game; it's just one of those things."
Rodriguez's recent throwing problems have come when he tries to sidearm his throws. He had two balls hit to him at third base on Thursday, and he made perfect overhand throws to first base on both plays.
"It's definitely important for me to get on top of the baseball, make sure it's truer," Rodriguez said. "Every other ground ball they hit to me tonight, I was real happy with my technique and my mechanics. I just have to keep working on it.
"I'm working through it; it's not easy, that's for sure, but I'm working hard," he continued. "I'm feeling pretty good. I liked the way I threw the ball across the diamond tonight, except for that one play."
Despite the fact that he is hitting .284 with 20 home runs and 68 RBIs, Rodriguez has been the focal point for the fans this season for everything that has gone wrong for the Yankees.
"That's something he's going to have to answer for," Torre said. "That's what happens when you're Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter or [Jason] Giambi. When you play for the Yankees and you make an error, it seems to mean more."
Rodriguez's 17 errors already eclipse his total from last season by four, and some of those errors have been costly to the Yankees, who trail the Red Sox by 2 1/2 games in the American League East.
"Pitchers, catchers, everybody goes through it at some point," Rodriguez said. "You have to make sure you get your target, do your footwork and stay on top of the baseball."
"I don't know what's going on; I know he needs to play better and that he's disappointed in the way he's playing," Mussina said. "It's just not him right now; we need him back the way he's supposed to be."
As Rodriguez's play continues to be inconsistent and the boos continue to mount at Yankee Stadium, there has been plenty of speculation that the two-time MVP would be better off playing for another team. Some people have even suggested that A-Rod wants out, a notion he dismissed rather quickly after Thursday's game.
"That's not true," he said. "That couldn't be further from the truth. That's a ridiculous thought."
Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/
Yanks fall in extra innings
07/21/2006
TORONTO -- It doesn't happen often, but Mariano Rivera walked off the mound Thursday night without a smile on his face.
Vernon Wells blasted a walk-off home run with one out in the 11th inning against the All-Star closer, giving the Blue Jays a 5-4 victory in the first game of a four-game series.
"Any time Mariano comes back without a save or a victory, I'll never stop being surprised," Joe Torre said. "He's so good at what he does."
Rivera looked like his vintage self on Thursday when he took the mound in the 10th inning of a 4-4 game. The closer blew through the Blue Jays lineup with a perfect inning, getting a pair of ground balls and a fly out to left.
But in his second inning of relief, Rivera allowed a leadoff single to Frank Catalanotto, putting the winning run on base. With Wells at the plate, the Jays put on a hit-and-run sign, but Rivera's first pitch jammed Wells inside. Catalanotto took off for second and was caught stealing, giving Rivera the first out and erasing the baserunner.
But his next pitch, an inside cutter, caught too much of the plate, allowing Wells to deposit it over the left-field fence for the game-winner.
"It was where I wanted it," Rivera said. "He was able to put good wood on the ball and hit it out of the ballpark. He hit a good pitch."
"My thinking in that situation is just try to get started early and try to hit it, and whatever happens after that happens," Wells said. "He's the best."
The home run was the first given up this season by Rivera, who last served up a long ball on Aug. 16 to Tampa Bay's Eduardo Perez. It was the sixth time in Rivera's career that he has allowed a walk-off homer, the last coming on July 24, 2004, against Boston's Bill Mueller.
The loss dropped the Yankees 2 1/2 games behind the Red Sox for first place in the American League East. The Blue Jays remain 5 1/2 behind Boston, but moved within three games of second-place New York.
"It was one of those games where both teams battled," Torre said. "We didn't do enough, I guess."
Roy Halladay held the Yankees to three runs over 7 2/3 innings, but B.J. Ryan blew the save -- just his third in 27 opportunities this season -- preventing Halladay from becoming the first 13-game winner in baseball.
Mike Mussina was brilliant over the first five innings, but a four-run sixth -- highlighted by yet another Alex Rodriguez throwing error -- put a damper on his seven-inning performance.
"It let everything happen from there," Mussina said of the error. "I was doing the same things I was doing before, it all just mounted up in one inning. It was a tough inning."
After going 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position in the first two innings, New York got to Halladay in the third, as Miguel Cairo singled, stole second and scored on Johnny Damon's RBI double. Damon was later doubled off second base after Jason Giambi's line drive was caught, ending the rally early.
The Yankees scored another run in the fourth, using an A-Rod double, a Jorge Posada single and an RBI groundout by Bernie Williams to take a 2-0 lead. That lead increased to 3-0 in the fifth, as Cairo's sac fly scored Melky Cabrera from third base.
"Getting three runs against Halladay," Torre said, "that's not easy to do."
The way Mussina was throwing, allowing just two singles through the first five innings, the three-run lead looked like it would be more than enough.
Unfortunately for Mussina and the Yankees, the sixth was a different story.
Aaron Hill started the inning with a double, giving Toronto its first runner in scoring position in the game. Hill moved to third on John McDonald's groundout, then took off for home on Reed Johnson's grounder to third. A-Rod threw home to try for the out, but his throw sailed away from Posada, making it a 3-1 game.
"I was a little hesitant because it was hit a little soft, but I thought I had a play at home," said Rodriguez, who now has 17 errors this season. "I tried to throw it on the run a little and I pulled it."
The Jays took the momentum from there, as Catalanotto blooped a single to score Johnson, then Vernon Wells poked a grounder through the hole at short. Troy Glaus doubled in both runners, giving the Blue Jays a 4-3 lead.
"We helped them, that's the problem," Torre said, referring to the error. "Moose made two bad pitches that inning; the leadoff double and the breaking ball to Glaus. Otherwise, the two hits by Wells and Catalanotto were good pitches."
The game stayed that way until the eighth, when manager John Gibbons removed Halladay in favor of Ryan with two outs and Giambi coming up. Before the at-bat, Giambi was 16-for-50 (.320) against Halladay and just 1-for-13 (.077) against Ryan.
But Giambi took advantage of the shift on the right side of the field, poking a single to left to put the tying run on base. Ryan then walked A-Rod, setting up Posada's broken-bat bloop single to left-center, scoring pinch-runner Bubba Crosby to tie the game at 4-4.
"We scored some runs against some tough pitchers tonight, we just couldn't come away with the victory," Torre said. "It's frustrating. This is a tough one to swallow, but they certainly earned it, because they battled their way back."
Scott Proctor threw a pair of scoreless innings, while Ryan posted a zero in the ninth and Justin Speier did the same in the 10th. After the Yankees went down in the 11th, Rivera came back out, giving up the one-out homer to Wells.
"He's done that to a lot of people," Torre said. "He's a pretty good player; he's having a hell of a year."
Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/
TORONTO -- It doesn't happen often, but Mariano Rivera walked off the mound Thursday night without a smile on his face.
Vernon Wells blasted a walk-off home run with one out in the 11th inning against the All-Star closer, giving the Blue Jays a 5-4 victory in the first game of a four-game series.
"Any time Mariano comes back without a save or a victory, I'll never stop being surprised," Joe Torre said. "He's so good at what he does."
Rivera looked like his vintage self on Thursday when he took the mound in the 10th inning of a 4-4 game. The closer blew through the Blue Jays lineup with a perfect inning, getting a pair of ground balls and a fly out to left.
But in his second inning of relief, Rivera allowed a leadoff single to Frank Catalanotto, putting the winning run on base. With Wells at the plate, the Jays put on a hit-and-run sign, but Rivera's first pitch jammed Wells inside. Catalanotto took off for second and was caught stealing, giving Rivera the first out and erasing the baserunner.
But his next pitch, an inside cutter, caught too much of the plate, allowing Wells to deposit it over the left-field fence for the game-winner.
"It was where I wanted it," Rivera said. "He was able to put good wood on the ball and hit it out of the ballpark. He hit a good pitch."
"My thinking in that situation is just try to get started early and try to hit it, and whatever happens after that happens," Wells said. "He's the best."
The home run was the first given up this season by Rivera, who last served up a long ball on Aug. 16 to Tampa Bay's Eduardo Perez. It was the sixth time in Rivera's career that he has allowed a walk-off homer, the last coming on July 24, 2004, against Boston's Bill Mueller.
The loss dropped the Yankees 2 1/2 games behind the Red Sox for first place in the American League East. The Blue Jays remain 5 1/2 behind Boston, but moved within three games of second-place New York.
"It was one of those games where both teams battled," Torre said. "We didn't do enough, I guess."
Roy Halladay held the Yankees to three runs over 7 2/3 innings, but B.J. Ryan blew the save -- just his third in 27 opportunities this season -- preventing Halladay from becoming the first 13-game winner in baseball.
Mike Mussina was brilliant over the first five innings, but a four-run sixth -- highlighted by yet another Alex Rodriguez throwing error -- put a damper on his seven-inning performance.
"It let everything happen from there," Mussina said of the error. "I was doing the same things I was doing before, it all just mounted up in one inning. It was a tough inning."
After going 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position in the first two innings, New York got to Halladay in the third, as Miguel Cairo singled, stole second and scored on Johnny Damon's RBI double. Damon was later doubled off second base after Jason Giambi's line drive was caught, ending the rally early.
The Yankees scored another run in the fourth, using an A-Rod double, a Jorge Posada single and an RBI groundout by Bernie Williams to take a 2-0 lead. That lead increased to 3-0 in the fifth, as Cairo's sac fly scored Melky Cabrera from third base.
"Getting three runs against Halladay," Torre said, "that's not easy to do."
The way Mussina was throwing, allowing just two singles through the first five innings, the three-run lead looked like it would be more than enough.
Unfortunately for Mussina and the Yankees, the sixth was a different story.
Aaron Hill started the inning with a double, giving Toronto its first runner in scoring position in the game. Hill moved to third on John McDonald's groundout, then took off for home on Reed Johnson's grounder to third. A-Rod threw home to try for the out, but his throw sailed away from Posada, making it a 3-1 game.
"I was a little hesitant because it was hit a little soft, but I thought I had a play at home," said Rodriguez, who now has 17 errors this season. "I tried to throw it on the run a little and I pulled it."
The Jays took the momentum from there, as Catalanotto blooped a single to score Johnson, then Vernon Wells poked a grounder through the hole at short. Troy Glaus doubled in both runners, giving the Blue Jays a 4-3 lead.
"We helped them, that's the problem," Torre said, referring to the error. "Moose made two bad pitches that inning; the leadoff double and the breaking ball to Glaus. Otherwise, the two hits by Wells and Catalanotto were good pitches."
The game stayed that way until the eighth, when manager John Gibbons removed Halladay in favor of Ryan with two outs and Giambi coming up. Before the at-bat, Giambi was 16-for-50 (.320) against Halladay and just 1-for-13 (.077) against Ryan.
But Giambi took advantage of the shift on the right side of the field, poking a single to left to put the tying run on base. Ryan then walked A-Rod, setting up Posada's broken-bat bloop single to left-center, scoring pinch-runner Bubba Crosby to tie the game at 4-4.
"We scored some runs against some tough pitchers tonight, we just couldn't come away with the victory," Torre said. "It's frustrating. This is a tough one to swallow, but they certainly earned it, because they battled their way back."
Scott Proctor threw a pair of scoreless innings, while Ryan posted a zero in the ninth and Justin Speier did the same in the 10th. After the Yankees went down in the 11th, Rivera came back out, giving up the one-out homer to Wells.
"He's done that to a lot of people," Torre said. "He's a pretty good player; he's having a hell of a year."
Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Notes: Staff showing its stuff
03/11/2006
TAMPA, Fla. -- There's no doubt the recipe for success for the New York Yankees' pitching staff involves a solid outing from the starting pitcher and quick work from closer Mariano Rivera.
That's what the Yankees got on Saturday, with three solid innings from starter Chien-Ming Wang and a 1-2-3 seventh inning -- although in a regular-season game, obviously, it would be the ninth -- from Rivera.
Wang made his second start of the spring, throwing three solid innings after an unimpressive debut.
He said he felt better than during his opener after working on correcting his arm angle. Throwing the ball at a higher angle, Wang mowed through Atlanta's lineup, yielding just one hit while fanning four.
"He was a lot of fun today," catcher Jorge Posada said. "His arm angle was outstanding.
"The results really showed. If he can do that consistently he's really going to have a good year."
Wang gave up three runs on six hits against Toronto his first start, and according to him his sinker was flat. This time his out pitch had more sink.
"His location was better and he had a lot of jump on his fastball." Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "He threw some good sliders, a couple good forkballs. He was outstanding today."
Rivera threw just eight pitches in his third appearance this spring, striking out the first batter he saw and forcing two infield ground outs.
"I felt good today," Rivera said.
Rivera has given up just one hit in three innings this spring, a home run to Detroit's Marcus Thames. He has five strikeouts.
Giambi almost back: Jason Giambi said his sore left calf is improving and that he could see action in a game as soon as Tuesday.
"I ran today," Giambi said. "I ran around and it felt pretty good."
Giambi said he thought he could play Monday, but Torre said since the Yankees are the visiting team against Pittsburgh and the Pirates denied his request for a designated hitter, Giambi should get his first chance to play on Tuesday.
Giambi has missed five games since injuring the calf in the field during a play at first base. He has been receiving treatment on the calf every day and ran on it the first time Friday.
Giambi said the plan is to get him back in a game at designated hitter before he comes back to play first base so that it doesn't get overworked too soon. The challenge, he said, is going to be running out of the batters box.
Around the horn: Bubba Crosby saw action in his first game since injuring his right index finger, playing right field. He doubled in his only at-bat. ... Five players were reassigned: right-hander Philip Hughes, catcher Jason Brown, outfielder Chris Prieto, right-hander Darrell Rasner and infielder Danny Garcia. That leaves 57 players in camp. ... Outfielder Kevin Reese turned 28.
Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/
TAMPA, Fla. -- There's no doubt the recipe for success for the New York Yankees' pitching staff involves a solid outing from the starting pitcher and quick work from closer Mariano Rivera.
That's what the Yankees got on Saturday, with three solid innings from starter Chien-Ming Wang and a 1-2-3 seventh inning -- although in a regular-season game, obviously, it would be the ninth -- from Rivera.
Wang made his second start of the spring, throwing three solid innings after an unimpressive debut.
He said he felt better than during his opener after working on correcting his arm angle. Throwing the ball at a higher angle, Wang mowed through Atlanta's lineup, yielding just one hit while fanning four.
"He was a lot of fun today," catcher Jorge Posada said. "His arm angle was outstanding.
"The results really showed. If he can do that consistently he's really going to have a good year."
Wang gave up three runs on six hits against Toronto his first start, and according to him his sinker was flat. This time his out pitch had more sink.
"His location was better and he had a lot of jump on his fastball." Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "He threw some good sliders, a couple good forkballs. He was outstanding today."
Rivera threw just eight pitches in his third appearance this spring, striking out the first batter he saw and forcing two infield ground outs.
"I felt good today," Rivera said.
Rivera has given up just one hit in three innings this spring, a home run to Detroit's Marcus Thames. He has five strikeouts.
Giambi almost back: Jason Giambi said his sore left calf is improving and that he could see action in a game as soon as Tuesday.
"I ran today," Giambi said. "I ran around and it felt pretty good."
Giambi said he thought he could play Monday, but Torre said since the Yankees are the visiting team against Pittsburgh and the Pirates denied his request for a designated hitter, Giambi should get his first chance to play on Tuesday.
Giambi has missed five games since injuring the calf in the field during a play at first base. He has been receiving treatment on the calf every day and ran on it the first time Friday.
Giambi said the plan is to get him back in a game at designated hitter before he comes back to play first base so that it doesn't get overworked too soon. The challenge, he said, is going to be running out of the batters box.
Around the horn: Bubba Crosby saw action in his first game since injuring his right index finger, playing right field. He doubled in his only at-bat. ... Five players were reassigned: right-hander Philip Hughes, catcher Jason Brown, outfielder Chris Prieto, right-hander Darrell Rasner and infielder Danny Garcia. That leaves 57 players in camp. ... Outfielder Kevin Reese turned 28.
Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/
Yankees take care of Braves
03/11/2006
Yankees at the plate: Jorge Posada (2-for-4, three RBIs) hit his second homer of the spring off righty Travis Smith in a four-run fifth inning. Robinson Cano went 2-for-4 with a double.
Braves at the plate: Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (1-for-2) hit his second homer of the spring, off lefty Matt Smith, in the sixth inning. Tony Pena Jr. was 2-for-3 with a double.
Yankees on the mound: Chien-Ming Wang made a big improvement on his last outing in his third start of the spring. In three scoreless innings of work, Wang gave up just one hit while fanning four. Mariano Rivera pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning with a strikeout.
Braves on the mound: Starter Horacio Ramirez gave up two runs on five hits in four innings of work, with a pair of walks and two strikeouts. Smith gave up four runs on two hits in two innings, including the home run to Posada.
Grapefruit League records: Yankees 6-5; Braves 3-7-1.
Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/
Yankees at the plate: Jorge Posada (2-for-4, three RBIs) hit his second homer of the spring off righty Travis Smith in a four-run fifth inning. Robinson Cano went 2-for-4 with a double.
Braves at the plate: Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (1-for-2) hit his second homer of the spring, off lefty Matt Smith, in the sixth inning. Tony Pena Jr. was 2-for-3 with a double.
Yankees on the mound: Chien-Ming Wang made a big improvement on his last outing in his third start of the spring. In three scoreless innings of work, Wang gave up just one hit while fanning four. Mariano Rivera pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning with a strikeout.
Braves on the mound: Starter Horacio Ramirez gave up two runs on five hits in four innings of work, with a pair of walks and two strikeouts. Smith gave up four runs on two hits in two innings, including the home run to Posada.
Grapefruit League records: Yankees 6-5; Braves 3-7-1.
Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/
Cairo thrilled to be in pinstripes again
03/11/2006
TAMPA, Fla. -- Miguel Cairo could have found himself with a spot in a starting lineup this season, but he wasn't about to pass up a chance to don the Yankees pinstripes again, even if it meant he'd be relegated to a backup role.
Cairo left the Yanks after the 2004 season and spent a year across town with the Mets, but the utility infielder jumped at the chance to play for the Yankees again and said he is excited to get back to Yankee Stadium.
"It's just the atmosphere," Cairo said. "When you play in New York with this team, with the fans, it's a different atmosphere. It's something different.
"It's hard to explain, but every time you get on that grass inside those lines it's like something else gets into you. No matter how tired you are or if you're hurt or whatever, when you cross the lines it's like you don't have pain. You're not tired. It's like extra energy gets over you. You forget all that's happening.
"I am very happy and honored for them to want me back. I'm just happy to be here."
Cairo, 31, can serve as backup this season to any of the infield positions, though he'll get far less playing time than he got with the Mets last season. Cairo played in 100 games a year ago, playing at second base in 82 of those games.
Through his first eight games this spring, Cairo is hitting .273 with a pair of doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored. He has been starting at shortstop while Derek Jeter is playing in the World Baseball Classic, as well as leading off with Johnny Damon also in the Classic.
Cairo said he will be happy to help the Yankees out in any way he can this season, whether it's in the infield, outfield or on the basepaths.
"I could [have started with another team]," Cairo said "But I really wanted to come back here -- be around these guys.
"There's a lot of guys you can learn from. You got Alex [Rodriguez], Jeter, all these guys. There's a reason they're so good. You see the way go about the work that they do, the preparations that have in spring training to get ready for the field. Just watching that you kind of try to use it. You try to imitate that and work as hard as you can."
With that kind of attitude, it's no wonder Yankees manager Joe Torre was full of good things to say about Cairo.
"I'm very happy," Torre said. "I know he wanted to stay here. Things didn't work out [after 2004] and it was just one of those things. It was great that the opportunity presented itself again. Neither one of us had any hesitation about the fact that he wanted to come back."
Cairo's attitude isn't the only thing keeping him on Torre's good side, his versatility is another part of what makes him so valuable in the clubhouse.
"He's such a managers friend in that regard," Torre said. "He plays first, the outfield, all the infielders spots, [and he can] steal a base. He can do a lot of things.
"And, plus, he's walking back into a place he's familiar."
Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/
TAMPA, Fla. -- Miguel Cairo could have found himself with a spot in a starting lineup this season, but he wasn't about to pass up a chance to don the Yankees pinstripes again, even if it meant he'd be relegated to a backup role.
Cairo left the Yanks after the 2004 season and spent a year across town with the Mets, but the utility infielder jumped at the chance to play for the Yankees again and said he is excited to get back to Yankee Stadium.
"It's just the atmosphere," Cairo said. "When you play in New York with this team, with the fans, it's a different atmosphere. It's something different.
"It's hard to explain, but every time you get on that grass inside those lines it's like something else gets into you. No matter how tired you are or if you're hurt or whatever, when you cross the lines it's like you don't have pain. You're not tired. It's like extra energy gets over you. You forget all that's happening.
"I am very happy and honored for them to want me back. I'm just happy to be here."
Cairo, 31, can serve as backup this season to any of the infield positions, though he'll get far less playing time than he got with the Mets last season. Cairo played in 100 games a year ago, playing at second base in 82 of those games.
Through his first eight games this spring, Cairo is hitting .273 with a pair of doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored. He has been starting at shortstop while Derek Jeter is playing in the World Baseball Classic, as well as leading off with Johnny Damon also in the Classic.
Cairo said he will be happy to help the Yankees out in any way he can this season, whether it's in the infield, outfield or on the basepaths.
"I could [have started with another team]," Cairo said "But I really wanted to come back here -- be around these guys.
"There's a lot of guys you can learn from. You got Alex [Rodriguez], Jeter, all these guys. There's a reason they're so good. You see the way go about the work that they do, the preparations that have in spring training to get ready for the field. Just watching that you kind of try to use it. You try to imitate that and work as hard as you can."
With that kind of attitude, it's no wonder Yankees manager Joe Torre was full of good things to say about Cairo.
"I'm very happy," Torre said. "I know he wanted to stay here. Things didn't work out [after 2004] and it was just one of those things. It was great that the opportunity presented itself again. Neither one of us had any hesitation about the fact that he wanted to come back."
Cairo's attitude isn't the only thing keeping him on Torre's good side, his versatility is another part of what makes him so valuable in the clubhouse.
"He's such a managers friend in that regard," Torre said. "He plays first, the outfield, all the infielders spots, [and he can] steal a base. He can do a lot of things.
"And, plus, he's walking back into a place he's familiar."
Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/
