Highbridge News: Back to the Future for Yanks

Highbridge News: Back to the Future for Yanks: Back to the Future for Yanks Pitching Stinks A-Rod scores when  it doesn't matter (Photos by Gary Quintal) By Rich Man...

Back to the Future for Yanks

Back to the Future for Yanks

Pitching Stinks

A-Rod scores when 

it doesn't matter

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 10- Alex Rodriguez took his trip around the bases in the sixth inning at Yankee Stadium Thursday evening. The home run to deep left was so reminiscent of the many that have put him fifth on baseballs all-time list, though being in that company of an all-time great home run leader can be disputed due to his history of using performance enhancing drugs.

But the controversial days of dealing with the A-Rod 

steroid saga are over. That home run that gave the Yankees a lone run would not factor in the Yankees 6-3 series finale loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, however it was closure as to being away from the game all of last year from his 162-game suspension.

“I felt like I needed a Google map to run the bases, it's been so long," Rodriguez said. "Anything I can do this year is going to be a surprise, even for me." And for the Yankees, a team with an anemic offense in their first three games, any home run from Rodriguez at this juncture is a blessing. It was his first home run since September 20, 2013 which explained the reference to a google map.

Manager Joe Girardi at this point will also take whatever he can get from the bat of Rodriguez who batted second in the order and once again off the bench at DH. The Yankees are struggling at the plate, as was the situation most of last year. In their first three games they are 3-for-21 with runners in scoring position and went 1-for-9 in the finale.

Said Girardi about the Rodriguez home run, “If he drives the ball that’s a good sign for us. We need that production from him.” The 655th career home run was also significant because he is five shy of becoming fourth on the all-time list and joining Willie Mays. That would also mean cashing in the first of five $6 million bonus checks that the Yankees are supposed to pay under his 10-year $275 million contract.

Of course if that occurs, it is expected the Yankees will dispute the bonus based on the steroid history and drama A-Rod caused with management. That will be left for another time if indeed it happens. In the meantime Girardi will keep him in the lineup and hope for the best.

THE GAME: CC Sabathia (0-1) got the loss allowing five runs in 5.2 innings. The velocity of his fastball was down but he struck out eight Blue Jays without issuing a walk. He allowed the Jays four straight singles that led to runs in the second inning after two strikeouts in the first.

“I thought he threw the ball a lot better than what it looked like,” commented Girardi. "If he''s going to be hit that hard every time he starts I'll take it because he's not going to give up that many runs in most games. But it was just one of those nights."

Next for the Yankees are three games starting Friday night with the Boston Red Sox including the Sunday night ESPN game that concludes their first home stand of the season.  

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com  Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso   Twitter @Ring786

#Yankees #ARod #CC Sabathia #Bronxnews

Highbridge News: Is Michael Pineda the Ace of the Yankees Starting ...

Highbridge News: Is Michael Pineda the Ace of the Yankees Starting ...: Is Michael Pineda the Ace of the Yankees Starting Rotation?  (Photo by Gary Quintal) Tweet By How...

Is Michael Pineda the Ace of the Yankees Starting Rotation?

Is Michael Pineda the Ace of the Yankees Starting Rotation? 

(Photo by Gary Quintal)

Tweet

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 9- Although the 2015 season is in its first week, Yankees fans have serious questions regarding the starting rotation. Much has happened to each of the Yankees starters of the opening day roster of 2014.

Hiroki Kuroda ended his major league career and returned to Japan to again pitch in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

CC Sabathia made only eight starts in 2014. Inflammation in his right knee required surgery and kept him on the disabled list From May 11 through the remainder of the 2014 season. He is scheduled to make his first start of the year this week.

Ivan Nova’s last of four 2014 starts of 2014 came on April 19. An MRI the following day showed a partial tear of his right ulner collateral ligament. Reconstructive surgery prevented Nova from pitching another game in 2014. He’s still on the DL.

Masahiro Tanaka was exceptionally effective in his rookie season in MLB until a right elbow injury kept him on the DL from July 8 through September 20. The results of his three starts since his return to action have been disappointing, especially to him.

Wednesday’s starter Michael Pineda was suspended by MLB for 10 days, April 24‐ May 5 last year. On the next day, May 6, he began a lengthy stint on the disabled list that lasted through August 12 due to a right shoulder muscle injury.

In his nine starts after returning from the DL Pineda was 3‐3, but his ERA was a superb 1.91. During 2015 Spring Training, he compiled a 2‐0 mark with a 1.42 ERA.

Pineda and Toronto’s starter R.A. Dickey also faced each in their first appearance of the 2014 season. In that contest, the Yanks lost 4‐0, but Pineda pitched very effectively, giving up five hits and one run in six innings. The Dominican native fanned five but did not walk a batter.

His 2015 debut performance was quite similar. He again pitched six frames, giving up two runs on six hits; he fanned six and walked one.

Another similarity in his starts was his lack of run support received. The Yanks scored two runs or fewer in nine of his 13 starts in 2014. Since August of 2011, he is the third lowest in the majors in runs scored by his teammates.

On Wednesday, the Yanks did not score a run until he had thrown the last of 96 pitches. They scored four runs to win the contest, 4‐3, but all were scored after he completed his performance.

Although it’s far too early in the season to determine who is the best Yankee pitcher in 2015, it should be mentioned that Pineda’s WYHIP of 0.83 was the lowest in the majors in 2014. Among active pitchers, Pineda is the lowest in opponents’ career batting average and lowest in career opponents’ on‐base‐ percentage.

#Yankees #Pitching #MichaelPineda #Bronxnews

Highbridge News: Yanks’ Pitching Heats Up

Highbridge News: Yanks’ Pitching Heats Up: Yanks’ Pitching Heats Up  (Photos by Gary Quintal) By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 9- The plan was for the New York Ya...

Yanks’ Pitching Heats Up

Yanks’ Pitching Heats Up 

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 9- The plan was for the New York Yankees bullpen was for Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller to be a force in what they call “The Two-Headed Monster.” One or the other would close games or come out of the gate to set up the closer in the eighth inning. On a cold and nasty night at Yankee Stadium the monster plan worked the first time for manager Joe Girardi.

Part of the Yankees strategy during the off season, when they lost closer David Robertson to free agency, was to find an alternative to fill the void. But Betances and Miller combined had two career saves. Girardi for the first time, in this the Yankees second game, went to Betances in the eighth and Miller worked a perfect ninth preserving a nasty Yankees 4-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.

The first win of the season for New York, and what is hoped will be more of that late bullpen duo in the Bronx.

Though Betances allowed an unearned run in that eighth inning, which gave Toronto a 3-1 lead at the time, his velocity with the fastball was at 97. Considering that Betances struggled down in spring training, and there were concerns with his velocity, this certainly was a boost.

A boost, because one of the positive factors about this Yankees team is the strength of their bullpen. Miller would get his first career save as a Yankee working a perfect ninth and threw strikes. The plan worked for Girardi this time, and the Yankees hope for many more finishes of this one-two punch out of the pen, that is assuming there are games to protect a lead in the late innings.

"I'm perfectly satisfied with the way that they've prepared us,” Miller said. “It's our job to get outs when called upon.

That's all we know." Miller, the left-hander combined to go 5-5 and a save with Baltimore and Boston last year. Betances, the right-hander had a stellar rookie season going 5-0 with a save. The earned run average was 1.40 in 7o appearances out of the pen.

It is a mix and match situation that Girardi will use when the situation is presented. Or could it be one or the other gets to close the game? That remains to be determined and after the second game of the season time will tell. The closer role for the Yankees was never an issue over the years because someone named Mariano Rivera had the job, and Robertson filled the role almost to perfection last season.

Betances (1-0) would get the win and Miller the save. Thursday evening the Yankees will be looking to get their first series win of the season. Will it be Betances getting the save or Miller getting the opportunity?

THE FIRST WIN: The Yankees came from behind with small ball and scored three runs in the eighth inning. Chase Headley got a tie breaking single that deflected off the wrist of Blue Jays’ reliever Brett Cecil…. There was a lack of offense coming from the Yankees in their second game on an otherwise ugly evening of weather at the ballpark for the announced 31.020 fans who braved the 43 degree temperatures, the smallest Yankees crowd since September 23, 2004 at the old ballpark across the street, though it appeared there were no more than 10-or 12 thousand in attendance…

Alex Rodriguez got the loudest and good cheers again and went 0-for-4…Jacoby Ellsbury reached base four times for the Yankees with two walks and two singles…. The one time ace, CC Sabathia gets his first start Thursday night in the series finale and all eyes will be watching to see the velocity and effects of a bad knee that ended his season against Milwaukee last May…

Michael Pineda tossed six innings, allowed two runs on six hits and struck out six. His first outing according to Girardi was efficient with the change up, slider and fastball. He would not get the decision. “The hitter,” Pineda said, “know I have three good pitches so I feel good about that.”

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com  Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso  Twitter@Ring786

#Yankees #Pitching #MichaelPineda #Arod #Bronxnews

Highbridge News: Social Media Stooges

Highbridge News: Social Media Stooges: Social Media Stooges Gang Used Facebook to Plan Crimes Cops Round Up Members in Raid BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 8-  District Attorney R...