Posted: 03 July 2009 in Bleacher Report

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Or thou shalt be tagged.

The first unsuccessful steal was on Thursday night game of the New York Yankees against the Seattle Mariners in the Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York City.

Yankee catcher Jorge Posada caught Franklin Gutierrez stealing second base. Gutierrez, who must’ve lost count of the balls and strikes, gave the Mariners their final out in the sixth inning as he was tagged by second baseman Robinson Cano.

The next Mariner who attempted to steal a base was Ryan Langerhans on Friday night game. He didn’t make the play as he was tagged by Derek Jeter and made the final out for the top of the second inning.

The Yankees’ shortstop and captain also made an attempt to steal second base during the third inning, but he was caught by Kenji Johjima and got tagged by second baseman Jose Lopez.

The Thursday night’s attempted steals revolved around the same people, which was amusing. The last ballplayer to attempt a steal was Kenji Johjima.

The Mariners’ catcher left Mark Teixeira’s base although Alfredo Aceves has not yet pitched to Ryan Langerhans. Johjima was then welcomed with a tag by no other than Derek Jeter.

Although the Mariners made the most attempts to steal bases during the Friday night game, the M’s were able to leave with 8-4 against the Yankees.

Posted: 01 July 2009 in Bleacher Report

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Brian Bruney was sent to replace Phil Hughes in the eight inning on Tuesday night game against the Seattle Mariners. This had also caused the Yankees fans to send comments and criticism about the decision.

No one knows the real reason manager Joe Girardi did so. He may have given the media answers to their questions about the eight inning decision, but I doubt he gave them his real reason, which I understand. There are people who will give you something acceptable or reasonable, but it doesn’t mean it’s the real reason.

People can only guess. And my guess is Joe Girardi wants to give the Yankees’ pitchers the chance to throw balls. It’s good, actually, because the pitchers can check themselves if they’re doing well and if they can face hitters with good results for their team.

It sounds like a trial and error because it is a trial and error, in a way. It’s good if the pitcher is able to yield positive results. If he’s just average or (still) below average, then he’ll be able to work on his weakness. The problem with this is if the result is negative, like what happened during Brian Bruney’s pitching. He gave up an intentional walk and two runs.

The Mariners then tied with the Bronx Bombers, 5-5. Good thing pinch runner Brett Gardner, Nick Swisher, and Melky Cabrera scored, respectively, in the bottom of the eight and the Yankees were back in the lead.

With the Sandman pitching in the ninth inning, the game was finally closed. The Yankees won against the Mariners, 8-5.

I don’t like to overrate people, especially those on my favorite team, so I hope this one about Mariano Rivera is not an exaggeration, but Saving Mo has once again come to the rescue.

Whatever mentality Joe Girardi has is not my primary concern. It’s his call, not mine nor anyone’s, for the Yankees. But as a fan, I hope he will always help the Bronx Bombers win their games.

I’m not a whiner, and I am keeping the faith. I think I should play Keep the Faith by Bon Jovi, or by Michael Jackson. I prefer Bon Jovi’s.

Posted: 29 June 2009 in Bleacher Report

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The New York Yankees are rising like a phoenix. And they keep making legends.

The Bronx Bombers won the first Subway Series of the season with 2 out of 3 against the Metropolitans. It was in the Yankee Stadium. And it was an unforgettable one, especially the ninth inning drama of the first game when A-Rod popped up his team’s last chance to stay in the game. Then it would be the final out.

But it’s Baseball. Anything can happen. And something happened.

The popped up ball went to Luis Castillo’s glove, and it went through. He dropped the ball and Derek Jeter scored with Mark Teixeira coming off the first base. Jeter tied the game but with Teixeira’s attitude, the Pinstripers won the game.

The Yankee first baseman is known for being an athlete who never gives up. He reached the home plate wondering what just happened as their captain embraced and congratulated him. A-Rod even called Teixeira his MVP of the night.

It was an unforgettable night for everyone who watched the game, be it in the Yankee Stadium or in their homes, or even in pubs. The Yankees won that night with 9-8 against the Mets.

The game that followed may have been meant for the Mets. They won 5-2 against the Yankees. But that was all for them. The game that followed on Sunday night was won by the Yankees, 15-0.

The second Subway Series was held in Citi Field, home of the New York Mets. But the Yankees were not bothered at all if it’s not their home stadium. They only have one goal: win. And they did. There may be no more Castillo clutch but the Yankees swept the Mets with 9-1, 5-0, 4-2, respectively.

The first game was an astounding 18 up, 18 down by CC Sabathia. He only allowed three hits and one home run by Gary Sheffield, all in the fifth inning. The relief pitcher Brett Tomko was also amazing with his 6 up, 6 down in the last two innings.

The Saturday night game was also an splendid one. Starting pitcher AJ Burnett accomplished a record of 10 strike outs, 3 walks, 1 hit but no run. Brian Bruney pitched in the eight inning and David Robertson on the ninth. Each relief pitcher had 3 up, 3 down.

The Sunday night game may have allowed the Mets for 2 runs, but the Yanks still won. But what made this game memorable is it’s part in Baseball history, at least to the Yankees’ history. Maybe for the New York Mets also.

Mariano Rivera had his 500th save during the Sunday night game, marking him as the second with most saves next only to Milwaukee’s Trevor Hoffman who has 571 saves. Many Baseball players, team mates or not, consider Rivera as the best closer they’ve ever met.

The Sandman’s career history didn’t end there. It was also his third plate appearance and first walk slash first career RBI. The saving pitcher said, “The RBI is the best. It was my first RBI. It was my 500th save.” His team mates probably thought the same. Everyone, especially Derek Jeter who is the captain of the Yankees, said nothing but praises for Mariano Rivera.

Mo was batting against Mets’ Francisco Rodriguez, who was also the relieving pitcher when A-Rod had his pop up RBI to Luis Castillo. It’s amusing how K-Rod’s presence in the mound against the Yanks contributes to the Bronx Bombers’ history. Perhaps it will also become part of the Metropolitans’ history.

Mariano Rivera’s force is recognized not only among his team mates. It extends to every batter who came to hit against him and to every one who knows him. He is not just a relief pitcher. His mere presence in the batter’s box could even pull out every Yankee out of the bullpen and dugout, which rarely happens.