#Tanaka Remains Unbeaten

#Tanaka Remains Unbeaten

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 4- On Saturday afternoon, the Yankees ended a three-game losing streak with a 6-3 victory over the Tampa Rays. The outcome also terminated the three-game winning streak for the Rays.

Masahiro Tanaka, the starting pitcher for the Yanks, remained undefeated after his sixth start in the majors. His credit for the win raised his win/loss mark to 4-0 this season. During his stint on Saturday, the 25 year-old yielded eight hits and three runs. He did not issue a walk for the third of his six starting assignments. 

The five batters he fanned raised his total of strikeouts this season to 51, the fifth highest in the major leagues since 1900, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

The win credited to Tanaka extends his two continent (Japan and North America) win streak to 32 regular season decisions. The last contest he lost occurred on August 9, 2012, when he pitched for the Rakuten Golden Eagles. 

On Saturday afternoon, Tanaka was not blessed with his best stuff. Both he and Yankee skipper Joe Girardi discussed the problem. Girardi commented, “I didn’t think his command with his fastball was too good at first [and] that got him into trouble.”

The young hurler admitted he had problems, “All my pitches weren’t there today. They weren’t crisp.”

As has happened on several occasions this year, Tanaka was touched for runs early in the game. Desmond Phillips, the second batter he faced, homered to right to put Tampa on the board in the first.

Three base hits led to a second Tampa run in the second.

The third and final run for the Rays was scored on a lead-off home run by Will Myers in the fourth. Myers loves the new Yankee Stadium as he has hit successfully in all 12 games he has played in the Bronx ballpark. He thus raised the mark for consecutive games hitting safely at the start of a career in either Yankee Stadium.

After the home run, Tanaka only surrendered two singles in his final four innings on the mound. This was noted by those most involved in the accomplishment. 

Yankee catcher Brian McCann remarked, “After the third inning, he settled down. It’s hard to believe he’s 25; he has such poise on the mound.”

His manager added to the words of praise, “He’s good at making adjustments. [With Tanaka], you’re going to get a guy who competes, who gives you distance and who keeps you in the game.”

Tanaka responded to questions about his early game difficulties, “I really don’t know why the slow starts. I wish I could be better. I’m glad I was able to battle my way back through the game.”

Interesting batting stats-Mark Teixeira’s first pitch home run in the fourth was his fourth in the last five games and his fifth in his last eight. The three hits by James Loney, first sacker for the Rays, upped his average in 23 games against the Yanks since signing with Rays before last season to .410. Ichiro Suzuki has hit safely in 9 of his 11 starts. His two doubles on Saturday moved his batting average to a team high .375. Three hits by Jacoby Ellsbury gave him a batting average of .346.

Starting the final game of the three game series on Sunday afternoon will be CC Sabathia for the Yanks and Erik Bedard for the Rays. 

Highbridge News: Yankees Lose to Murphy's Law

Highbridge News: Yankees Lose to Murphy's Law: Yanks Lose to Murphy's Law Bombers Give Up 5 runs in 14th Inning Jeter Goes 0-7 By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 3- It ...

Yankees Lose to Murphy's Law

Yanks Lose to Murphy's Law

Bombers Give Up 5 runs in 14th Inning

Jeter Goes 0-7

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 3- It took more than five hours and almost 500 pitches were thrown between the pitchers of both teams. The final out was recorded a few minutes before 1 a.m. Saturday morning with very few remaining at Yankee Stadium. It was one of those games in the Bronx that the New York Yankees want to forget after losing a 14-inning marathon to the Tampa Bay Rays, 10-5.

The starters, David Price of Tampa and Vidal Numo of the Yankees were long gone and of course did not figure in the decision. 

The Yankees will have to depend on Masahiro Tanaka to go deep Saturday because manager Joe Girardi used every available arm in the bullpen, except David Phelps. Instead it was rookie Chris leroux who gave up five-runs in the Rays’ 14th inning.

It was one of those nights into the early morning, in the Bronx, and the Yankees did have their chances leaving 13- men on base. The two teams combined for 38 hits, 20 coming from the Rays.

“It’s tough,” commented Girardi in a hasty and brief post game meeting with the media.”We had some opportunities later in the game. We weren’t able to get it done.” It was also the 1,000th game for Girardi as Yankees manager, the sixth manager in their history to reach that mark.

And this one will long be remembered by Girardi, and his team hopes to not let the loss linger with a few hours sleep. The Yankees squandered opportunities in the12th and 13th innings stranding runners on third with less than two outs, which promoted Girardi to say, “Days like this we gotta find ways to scratch some runs.”

And for the first time in his career, Derek Jeter had a 0-for-7 game at the plate. He’s gone hitless in a game 596 other games in his illustrious career, but nothing like this. It was that type of unusual game in the Bronx, and the longest game the Yankees have played against Tampa Bay.

“I don’t know man, it was just a weird game,” said Jeter.  “I don’t even remember the first four of them (at bats). No one wants to go, 0 for…what?” Regardless, Jeter’s hitless game will go in the record books but won’t be inscribed when his day arrives for induction in the Baseball hall of Fame.

Girardi is looking for Tanaka can provide some length, as he said, “Our bullpen’s a mess, no doubt about it.”  He used the entire bullpen, with exception of Phelps who is slated to start one of the games next week in Los Angeles against the Angels, and they threw a total of 182 pitches.

Jeter added, “Strange things happen, funny things happen.” And right now it is not funny for the Yankees who have to be concerned that numerous issues as they take a three-game losing streak into their game Saturday. One thing the Yankees don’t need is another marathon. The good thing, Tanaka is on the mound and he has been everything that was advertised in his first five starts.

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com   Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso.  www.newyorksportsexaminer.com

Highbridge News: Park Shooter Found Guilty

Highbridge News: Park Shooter Found Guilty: Park Shooter Found Guilty Young Gunman Convicted in Double Homicide BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 2-  District Attorney Robert T. Johnson anno...

Park Shooter Found Guilty

Park Shooter Found Guilty

Young Gunman Convicted in Double Homicide

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 2- District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced the jury finding of guilty in a triple-shooting, double-homicide case that took place in the vicinity of Devoe Park, University Avenue and Fordham Road, on April 7, 2011.

After a five-week trial in Bronx Supreme Court, the jury found Yenfri Ramirez, age 16 at the time of the crime, guilty of murder in the second degree, manslaughter in the first degree, assault in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.

The shooting took place in Devoe Park, following a fight that involved Ramirez’ brother. A number of individuals began pursuing Ramirez through the park, and when they got to the corner of Fordham Road and West University Place, Ramirez pulled out a gun and fired three shots, fatally shooting Edwin Liz, age 17, in the back of the neck, and fatally wounding Allan Matos, age 22, in the back. A third gunshot hit Efren Estrada, age 39, in the leg. He survived his wounds.

An eyewitness at the scene identified the defendant at a lineup the next day, and a police officer also witnessed the killings. 

Sentencing is scheduled for May 15, 2014 before Justice Barbara Newman in Part T 24. Murder in the second degree carries a prison term up to 25 years to life.  Manslaughter in the first degree carries a maximum of 25 years. Assault in the second degree carries a prison term up to 7 years. The weapons charge carries a prison term of up to 15 years behind bars. 

Highbridge News: Yanks Shut Down

Highbridge News: Yanks Shut Down: Yanks Shut Down Rookie pitcher from Cuba leads Mariners to sweep over Yankees By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 2-  Roenis E...

Yanks Shut Down

Yanks Shut Down

Rookie pitcher from Cuba leads Mariners to sweep over Yankees

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 2- Roenis Elias was not supposed to get the start for the Seattle Mariners in their three-game series against the Yankees in the Bronx. Felix Hernandez was supposed to close the three-game series the night before, but rain forced a postponement. The 25-year old left-hander got his opportunity Thursday night.

Perhaps, the Yankees would have preferred Hernandez because Elias, a defector from Cuba, in his sixth professional start gave the Yankees more than they were looking for as the Mariners swept the abbreviated two-game series, 4-2. After giving up a first inning home run to Jacoby Ellsbury, the first for the Yankees center fielder, he used a curve and fastball that were impressive.

He tossed seven-innings, struck out a career-high 10, allowing two runs and six hits. And only one run was earned due to a Mariners error in the third inning. Elias was impressive and the spotlight of pitching at Yankee Stadium added no added pressure. Of the 110 pitches he threw, 73 went for strikes.

The Mariners won their fourth straight at Yankee Stadium going back to last season. But the story was Elias who made an impression on Yankees manager Joe Girardi. The Yankees could not deal with the fastball and curve. After the sixth inning, they did not get a hit until pinch hitter Ichiro Suzuki got a two-out single in the ninth off closer Fernando Rodney.

"He was hitting his spots. He was getting ahead. He pitched a good game. He's got a good arm,” said the Yankees Derek Jeter about the rookie pitcher. "Sometimes pitchers are going to be better than you. He threw really well. He's not a typical lefty who tries to trick you. He gets it up there pretty good.”

Said Girardi: “He used his fastball and curve effectively…pretty good stuff.” After the Ellsbury home run, Elias, who spent last year pitching for Double- A Jackson with 14 of 22 quality starts, limited the Yankees to five hits.

“The adrenaline comes from the spotlight," Elias said through a translator. "I've never been to the stadium so it was good to come here and beat the Yankees. I've seen it on TV but never been here." Elias became the third rookie pitcher at Yankee Stadium to strike out 10 or more batters at Yankee Stadium.

The manager, Lloyd McClendon had Elias slated to pitch this weekend. The rain-out moved Hernandez to another day and Elias got his chance. He got the call Wednesday night from pitching Coach Rick Waits Wednesday night that he would get the ball.

“The young man threw a tremendous game,” commented McClendon. “We thought he'd be OK in this environment. The young man is tough."

Facing Derek Jeter and the Yankees, especially for the first time is a challenge. The fastball was clocked over 90 and the curve had the Yankees hitters fooled. Throw in the fact that the Yankees are having issues getting the timely hit and again they had to come from behind. Elias made sure to keep his composure.

All of the first 28 batters he faced saw strikes.

“You have to get ready mentally,” said Elias who uses the fastball as his number one pitch. “After a couple of innings I felt more comfortable and took control.

Girardi did not seem concerned that his offense went cold. “It’s early in the season,” he said. “Obviously consistency is important. It will come.” He has to be more concerned about the state of his starting pitching. Hiroki Kuroda (2-3) gave up four runs, three earned on seven hits in six innings. In his previous start, Friday night against the Angels, he gave up a career- high eight runs in 4.21 innings, in a Yankees 13-1 loss.

"I think it's a step in the right direction," Girardi said. "A lot of nights that's going to be good enough to win.”

But it was not good enough for the Yankees who welcome division rival Tampa Bay to the Bronx for the next three games. The rotation is struggling also with Ivan Nova disabled for the season and Michael Pineda serving a suspension and headed to the disabled list.

As for Robinson Cano, his return to the Bronx was met with boos from the Yankee Stadium crowd. And in two games, he went 2-for-9 with three runs batted in. His double and two RBI were the difference Thursday night.

“Both days felt good because both days we won, so it has to feel good," Cano said. "There weren't any expectations from the crowd today. I just wanted to go out and take care of business. You have to understand the fans, but it is not going to be a distraction for me."

But Cano and the Yankees were not the story this night. A kid from Cuba, named Elias, may have turned himself into a pitching sensation at Yankee Stadium.

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com  Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso  www.newyorksportsexaminer.com