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Monday, June 25, 2012

Plucked!



Yankees were no “chickens” as they dominate Mets in Subway Series


(Photo by Gary Quintal)
By Rich Mancuso
BRONX, NEW YORK, June 25– A chicken became a story line Friday night at Citi Field before the New York Mets took the field for the first of three against the cross-town Yankees. Sunday evening, after the Yankees took the finale of their six-game inter league series, they Yankees were not the chickens.
Instead, Robinson Cano hit the go ahead home run for the Yankees in the eighth inning at Citi Field. The Yankees won their fifth straight individual series against the Mets. 6-5, and a chicken joke about the team, initiated by Mets reliever Frank Francisco, became a novelty.
Because the Yankees once again proved they are the better baseball team in New York, a chicken joke to them meant nothing. They took five of six games from the Mets, the first time they have done that since 2009.
“They hit balls out of the ballpark like there’s nothing to it,” said Mets manager Terry Collins who admitted it may have been a mistake not bringing in lefty Tim Brydak to face Cano.
Miguel Batista (1-2) gave up the home run ball, the 16th by Cano leading off the eighth with two strikes. It was hit straight to center, the 15th home run hit by the Yankees against the Mets in the six games. Seven of those long balls were hit at Citi Field the past three games, which accounted for 24 of the Yankees 32 runs.
The Yankees were not chickens in this latest installment of the Subway Series that had some more interest the past few weeks. The Mets have been a better team this season and that also accounted for another sellout at Citi Field, 42,364 the largest crowd for the ballpark that opened in 2009.
And Francisco was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a strained muscle on his left side. So the chicken initiator, who saved the Mets win Friday night, had no bearing on the outcome of the finale. 
It was supposed to be an anticipated pitcher’s duel. R.A. Dickey of the Mets, without allowing an earned run in 44.2 innings and dominant with an 11-1 record and 2.00 ERA ,who will most likely get the start for the NL all-stars in a few weeks at the midsummer classic.
He surrendered a run in the third inning on a sacrifice fly. He threw a wild pitch in the fifth inning and allowed five runs earned. The streak is over for now.
“I didn’t have a great knuckleball,” commented Dickey. “It was just coming out wobbly a little bit. I kept searching for it,” he said.
The 37-year old helped the Mets overcome a four-run deficit. He got a single off CC Sabathia the Yankees starter in the fifth inning. Sabathia did his part, 9 hits in 5/2-3 innings. But he gave up five runs, one earned.
“My focus was on tonight,” said Dickey who made a point that it was like a playoff atmosphere pitching against the Yankees in a crowded ballpark. “It was nice,” he said about the scoreless streak. “I’m hoping to start another one.”
Ruben Tejada in his first game back from the disabled list went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs, and a single off Cory Wade tied the game in the sixth.  Andres Torres also had two hits and drove in two runs, including a two-out hit that went past Mark Teixeira at first in the same inning.
“Tomorrow is another game,” said Torres who experienced his first stint of games against the Yankees.
And with the chicken quickly disappearing from the scene, there is a realization that the six games, which have been a part of this home and home series, will be a thing of the past.
Next year, with the schedule going more towards more inter league games, the Mets and Yankees cross-town series will be reduced to three games which was the original format when inter league play started in 1997.
“We don’t get caught up taking two of three here,” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi.
He also won’t complain about the series going back to three games next season. Girardi is an advocate for that more balanced schedule and winning games against teams in your division.
The Yankees have won 14 of their last 18 road games, with or without the balanced schedule. Collins won’t mind not seeing the Yankees again, unless of course they should meet in October.
“Not bad for a bunch of chickens,” added the Yankees Nick Swisher who got hold of a Dickey knuckleball and hit his 11th home run to right-center in the Yankees four-run third inning.
e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com












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Sunday, June 24, 2012

Cluck You!



Yanks fry up some Amazin’ Chickens

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Howard Goldin
QUEENS, NEW YORK, June 24- For the second consecutive evening, home runs accounted for all the runs scored by the Yankees. Unlike the previous night, the four runs were sufficient to the give the Yankees the win. The Yankee win ended the team’s longest losing streak of the year, three games.
The home runs and excellent relief work by the bullpen contingent of the Yanks combined to earn the Yanks the win over the Mets.
Although Yankee starter Ivan Nova only pitched 5.2 innings and was not involved in the decision, he managed to raise his undefeated road streak to 16 starts. His record during the streak is 12-0.
The first hit Nova surrendered was a lead-off home run to Kirk Nieuwenhuis in the third.
An error by Alex Rodriguez on Scott Hairston, the first batter in the following inning allowed him to reach first. Hairston crossed the plate on a double to center by Omar Quintanilla.
The final Mets run off Nova came on an RBI single by his counterpart, Chris young, with two out in the sixth. Nova left the game after the hit. He gave up five hits and three walks while fanning seven in his stint.
The Yankee relievers continued their outstanding work for the final 3.1 innings of the contest. The five hurlers, Clay Rapada, Cody Eppley, Boone Logan, David Robertson and Rafael Soriano, combined to keep the Mets scoreless while giving up only two hits and two walks. Eight of the ten outs were recorded by strikeout. The save for Soriano was his 14th in 15 save opportunities.
The Yankees bullpen staff entered the game second in the American League in ERA and first in allowing the lowest percentage of inherited runners to score. They improved their numbers in each categpry during the game.
Both managers were impressed by the performances of the Yankees relievers. Mets skipper terry Collins said, “They threw the ball good; they made good pitches.”
Mets starter Chris Young kept the Yanks scoreless and yielded only two singles in the first six frames. The visitors scored all four runs in the seventh and all by the long ball.
Mark Teixeira led-off by drawing a base on balls. Nick Swisher’s 1,000th hit in the majors was a double to right that Lucas Duda dived for but could not grab. The next batter, Raul IbaƱez, tied the game at three with his 11th home run of the year.
After the homer, Jon Rauch entered to relieve Young. Eric Chavez was sent by Yankees manager Joe Girardi to pinch hit. On an 0-2 count, the 34 year-old veteran hit his 237th big league homer, but first as a pinch hitter to left field. The blast decided the outcome in favor of the Yankees.
Girardi spoke highly of the two veterans whose homers gave the team the victory, “They’re experienced guys. They’re not going to get caught up in the moment. They know how to get the ball out.”
The Yankees lead the majors in homers with 11o. The four bagger has been their decisive weapon this year. The Yankees have a compiled a 41-15 mark in games during which they homer while finishing 1-13 in games in which they don’t drive the baseball in the seats.
The rubber game of the second Subway Series of 2012 will feature a potential pitching duel as CC Sabathia (9-3) hooks up with R.A. Dickey (11-1) on Sunday night.




Saturday, June 23, 2012

What's It All About Andy?

Mets Walk All Over Pettitte
(Photos by Gary Quintal)


BRONX, NEW YORK, June 23- Yanks fans are left shaking their heads after the improbable loss to the Mets as the Amazin’s win their first game in the Subway Series. What is most troubling is the fact that old reliable Andy Pettitte gave up five runs in the first inning. 
Although Pettitte settled down after the first inning massacre, the damage was done. 
Then a ninth inning rally was thwarted by Frank “They’re All a Bunch of Chickens” Francisco. The ace struck out Curtis Granderson leaving the tying runs on the base.
The Mets went on to win it 6-4.


Thursday, June 21, 2012

Boiling Mad












It’s Ugly for Yanks as Team Sweats Out Another Loss

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

BRONX, NEW YORK, June 21- It was a hot and ugly outing for the Yankees yesterday as the 10-5 loss to the Braves left fans simmering. 
Atlanta hit four home runs off the Yanks.
In addition to the home run rally, Yankee players Robinson Cano and Nick Swisher were steamed at the home plate umpire’s calls. In two incidents the Yankee sluggers let their emotions boil over with the ump.







Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Streaking Ends for Yankees







(Photos by Gary Quintal)
Nothing seemed to go right for the Yanks as their 10-game win streak came to an end last night with a 4-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves. 
Two runners were thrown out at the plate. A ground ball hit off Mark Teixeira’s heel. 
The question now is whether the loss was just a bad night or the beginning of problems for the Yankees.








Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Cedric Meets Grandi Man









Photo by New York Yankees
The Entertainer meets the Grandi Man: Yesterday Cedric the Entertainer watched Yankees batting practice at Yankee Stadium prior to the team’s 7:05 p.m. game vs. Atlanta. While in the Bronx, Cedric participated in a longtime Yankee Stadium tradition by heading out to the Bleachers to help lead “Roll Call” with the “Bleacher Creatures,” before watching the game in the stands. Here he poses with Yankee Slugger Curtis Granderson.

Cedric is in New York to promote his new TV Land sitcom “The Soul Man.”

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Friday, June 15, 2012

Gun Buy Back is Now 24/7


BRONX, NEW YORK, June 15- The NYPD Community Affairs Bureau would like to ensure all citizens are aware of a critical program to take guns off the streets and to make our community a safer place.

The Cash for Guns Program is a program in which the New York City Police Department will pay $100 to any individual (excluding active law enforcement personnel and gun dealers) who present any handgun that is in apparent operative condition to any police precinct, transit district or housing police service area (PSA). To date over 6,000 deadly firearms have been surrendered since the program’s inception.

Qualifying weapons include: revolvers, semiautomatic and automatic pistols, sawed-off shotguns, or assault weapons. Weapons that do not qualify will be taken under the Cash for Guns Program, but will not qualify for the cash payment. An individual may surrender more than three weapons, but cash reimbursement will only be made for a maximum of a total of three weapons. 

Any individual turning in a qualifying weapon may do so at any police precinct, transit district or housing PSA, 24-hours a day, seven days a week. No questions asked and no identification will be required, as the identity of all individuals will remain anonymous.  While you may surrender the weapon at any of the above locations, cash payments will be made only from the following Patrol Borough Cash for Guns Central

Locations upon surrendering weapons:
Manhattan South: 7th Precinct, 19½ Pitt Street, New York, NY 10013


Manhattan North: 26
th Precinct, 520 West 126th Street, New York, NY 10027   
                    
Bronx: 48th Precinct, 450 Cross Island Expressway, Bronx, NY 10457                                                     
Brooklyn South: 61st Precinct, 2575 Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn, NY  11223                     
Brooklyn North: 90th Precinct, 211 Union Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Queens South: 107th Precinct, 71-01 Parsons Blvd., Flushing, NY 11365                                                      
Queens North: 112th Precinct, 68-40 Austin Street, Forest Hills, NY 11375                                                
Staten Island: 78 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301

For more information on this, or any of the other programs we offer, as part of our ongoing mission of “Police and Community Working Together” please call our office at 646-610-5323, or visit us online at www.nypdcommunityaffairs.org



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