Yanks, Mother Nature Beat Jays

Yanks head to Oakland after rain shortened game and sweep of Blue Jays

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 19- This time claps of thunder, lightning, and rain stopped a New York Yankees game in the Bronx Wednesday afternoon. Their offense also continued to excel before the weather caused a rain shortened 6-0 win and sweep over the Toronto Blue Jays after six innings.

With threatening weather in the forecast, the game was delayed 51 minutes. However, in a season where the Yankees seem to be hitting the ball all over the place, delays don’t seem to matter.

New York got on the scoreboard early when Mark Teixeira hit a two-run home run, his 19^th, in a four-run first inning off Toronto starter and loser Ricky Romero (8-6) who lost his fifth straight, a career low.

The inning started when Derek Jeter, inserted as the designated hitter, led off with a double. There were four extra base hits that included two straight doubles from Andruw Jones and Robinson Cano. The hit from Cano extended his career best hitting streak to 21 games.

“You got to get contributions from everyone,” said Jeter who went 2 for 3. It was the Yankees third straight win, nine in their last 11, a season-high 23 games over .500.

And the Yankees continue to get those contributions with guys off the bench. It enables manager Joe Girardi to give his starters some rest, in particular, during this 13-game stretch that continues Thursday night with three games in Oakland and three at Seattle.

DeWayne Wise had an RBI double in the fourth inning off Romero and a run scoring single in the sixth. He gave Curtis Granderson a day of rest out in center as once again the strategy, Girardi getting the best from his bench, worked to perfection.

“It’s been really special what these guys have done for us, you kinda’ want to talk about giving some other guys off during this run of 13- games,” commented Girardi about how Wise, Jayson Nix with two hits, and Eric Chavez have contributed off the bench.

That gave the Yankees a 5-0 lead. They added another run in the sixth and the weather got worse. The tarp came on the field, and after a delay of 58 minutes the Yankees packed and went to Oakland also propelling Hiroki Kuroda (9-7) to his third career complete game victory.

“His slider was good, he kept away from getting the first hitter on and made some good pitches,” said Girardi about Kuroda.

In his last start Kuroda gave up five runs, 11 in his last two starts. But he bounced back tossing seven shutout innings, limited the Jays to four hits, no walks and striking out five. Though it was a shortened game, the outing by Kuroda leads to more encouragement.

With Kuroda bouncing back, CC Sabathia healthy after missing two starts, and with Andy Pettitte recovering well from a broken ankle, Girardi has to be pleased.

“Pitching is the one constant that you have to have to win on a daily basis and we’ve been getting that,” said Girardi. New York has also scored three runs in 42 consecutive games.

“I think our guys set the tone early,” said Girardi about how his team tacked on runs, off Romero, a pitcher that has given the Yankees problems in the past.

The Yankees have pitched well, swung the bats, and tacked on runs late. That also had led to them widening their gap on first place in the American League east. Girardi alluded to those factors in taking five of six games on the home stand from the Angels and Blue Jays,

Now they hit the road with right hander Freddie Garcia (4-2), who won his last start Saturday against the Angels, getting the start against Oakland.

“It’s a lot of fun coming to the ballpark every day,” said Nick Swisher. 

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

Rash of Crashes

Summer Madness on the Roadways

(Above- The back of the vehicle is gone after a serious crash on the New England Thruway near Co-op City. Below- An investigator walks past the scene of a car that crashed through a building on Overing Avenue. A family waiting for their belonging's in Maryland will have to wait after a driver lost the load along the Hutchinson River Parkway.--Photos by David Greene)

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 18- At least six serious crashes in the past week have resulted in the deaths of several individuals, several more have been injured due to speed, alcohol and reckless or careless driving.

At just after 9 p.m. July 11, a vehicle crashed on the northbound New England Thruway at Exit 8C, just outside of Co-op City. The victim in this crash was not expected to survive.

At just before 1 a.m., on, July 12, a driver would lose control of his vehicle as he traveled along E. Tremont Avenue at a high rate of speed and crashed into the wall of a store at 1648 Overing Street.

One victim died and a second was removed in critical condition,

At just after 2 p.m. on July 12, a driver of a moving truck lost his load as he traveled southbound on the Hutchinson River Parkway, on his way to Maryland, when his trailer struck the overpass at Westchester Avenue.

Not aware of the 10-foot, 2-inch limit, the unidentified driver told the highway patrolman, "I was following the GPS," unaware that trailers are not permitted on, "Parkways."

The NYPD would next respond to back-to-back hit-and-runs, the first reported at 11:20 p.m., on July 13, at E. Gun Hill Road and Webster Avenue, where a bicyclist was mowed down and left for dead.

The victim, later identified by police as David Ellis, 18, of Marion Avenue, was rushed to Montefiore where he died upon arrival.

Police were looking for the driver and passenger of the 2001 Nissan Maxima, both reported as male Hispanic, who abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.

Less than an hour later, at 12:07 a.m., on July 14, emergency crews were called to the Grand Concourse and E. 170 Street, for two pedestrians hit by a fleeing vehicle.

EMS would remove two Hispanic males, ages 34 and 42 from the scene with, "severe body trauma," and were rushed to Lincoln Hospital.

The 42-year old victim did not survive, police are waiting family notification before releasing his name.

After striking the two men, the driver in the 2011 Honda continued north where he struck an ambulance head-on at Mt. Eden Avenue.

The still unidentified 37-year old driver, reported as a white male was taken into custody and charges were pending.

Days after signing with the NY Knicks, Jason Kidd was arrested for drunk-driving on Long Island, after a single-vehicle accident on the Hamptons.

Returning CC Dominates Jays

Sabathia returns and Yankees win another one from Blue Jays

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 18- CC Sabathia had control of his pitches and he was strong in his return from the disabled list Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium. He dominated the Toronto Blue Jays lineup, without power hitter Jose Bautista who was placed on the 15-day disabled list and the Yankees continued to roll taking their second straight over the Jays 6-1 in the Bronx.

Sabathia carried a shutout into the seventh inning and the Yankees bullpen took over. The lefthander improved to 10-3, gave up four hits and struck out six.

“It was tough sitting here and watching your teammates go out and battle every day,” said Sabathia who improved to 13-3 lifetime against Toronto. “It feels good to come back and be a part of it.”

And for the Yankees and manager Joe Girardi, having Sabathia back in the rotation, only makes them continue their roll to another American League east division title. New York has won five of their last six and increased their lead in the division to 9 /1-2 games over Tampa Bay with a major league best record of 56-34.

After the three-run second inning, led by the three-run home run from Andruw Jones to left, Sabathia who missed two starts due to a left groin strain kept Blue Jays batters at bay.

Girardi was cautious. He removed Sabathia after throwing 87 pitches on a steamy 95-degree night. His ace, though, likes to pitch in steamy conditions and Girardi also said it may be an advantage that Sabathia missed a few starts because he will have less innings as the Yankees prepare for their post season run.

“My arm feels good when it is warm,” said Sabathia who had no lingering effects from the injury that sidelined him on June 24^th. He experienced pain in the groin after pitching against the Mets in the final game of the subway interleague series.

“CC likes the heat,” said Girardi. “Can’t say that I ever did, but CC really enjoys it,”

Jays’ starter Brett Cecil (2-2) suffered his second loss of the season. In six innings he was touched for the three runs on the 12^th home run of the year from Jones. He would settle down and not allow another run, but the Yankees got to the Toronto pen again scoring three more runs in the seventh inning.

“To his credit, he kept the ball down and he changed speeds effectively,” said Toronto manager John Farrell about his starter and the adjustments made after the Jones home run.

It was the 432^nd career home run for Jones that surpassed Cal Ripken Jr. for sole possession of 41^st place on baseball’s all time list.

Jones has been another weapon off the bench for Girardi along with Eric Chavez, DeWayne Wise and Jayson Nix. They have also accounted for many of the 145 home runs hit by the Yankees that lead baseball.

Girardi said about his bench “I think I have a really good bench that can be extremely productive for us. It’s been really helpful.”

Rafael Soriano closed the door in the ninth inning for his 24^th save in 25 opportunities. Girardi once again used four pitchers out of the pen before calling on his closer as the Blue Jays scored their lone run in the eighth and stranded two in the ninth.

Robinson Cano also extended his career best hitting streak to 20- games, the longest active in the majors and most since Derek Jeter in the 2007 season.

With Sabathia back in the rotation and the Yankees winning in this 13-game stretch, there is more room for confidence. They go for the series sweep in the get- away finale Wednesday afternoon with Hiroki Kuroda (8-7) on the mound.

“We’ve been doing a little bit of everything,” said Jeter. “We’ve got a pretty good combination of things going right now.”

e-mail Rich Mancuso:  Ring786@aol.com

Food Truck for the Hungry

Truck gives out FREE meals

 

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 16- Chancellor Dennis M.
Walcott, joined by federal and city agencies and non-profit organizations,
encouraged families to take advantage of free breakfast and lunch for their
youngsters as part of the annual summer meals program that runs through August
31.

Summer meals are provided in more than 1,000
locations, including pools, parks, public housing sites and soup kitchens
throughout the five boroughs. In addition to these locations, the Department of
Education (DOE) is operating mobile refrigerated trucks that provide meals to
children at Orchard Beach in the Bronx and at Flushing Meadows Park. There are
currently two trucks and the DOE is adding a third one to serve meals to
youngsters at Queens Farm Park, starting Monday, July 23.

Last year, more than 7 million meals were served
during the summer, including 67,000 meals served by the trucks, which is more
meals than some states served for their entire summer program. To help promote
summer meals, Share Our Strength, a national non-profit that focuses on
eliminating childhood hunger, is providing text messaging capabilities and has
produced postcards and flyers that are being distributed throughout the City
through food advocates, community-based organizations City agencies and the DOE
to alert families of the summer meals program.

 “We want all
families with children, no matter their residency, to have one of our
nutritious meals free of charge. In an effort to make the summer meals even
more accessible and convenient, we will be operating three refrigerated food
trucks that will serve meals to youngsters,” Chancellor Walcott said. “We are
reaching out to families through posters and flyers, thanks to the efforts of
the USDA, Share Our Strength, the Mayor’s Food Policy Coordinator and the
Office of SchoolFood.”

Chancellor Walcott made his comments at a press
conference today at Orchard Beach, next to one of the refrigerated trucks. He
was joined by USDA Regional Administrator James Arena-DeRosa, Share Our
Strength No Kid Hungry NY Director Megan Cryan, Mayor’s Food Policy Coordinator
Kimberly Kessler, Deputy Chancellor of Operations Kathleen Grimm, Council
member James Vacca, and several non-profit organizations.

 “No child
should go hungry. The USDA Summer Food Service Program provides free nutritious
meals to children when the school doors close,” said USDA Regional
Administrator James Arena-DeRosa. “Children need good nutrition all year long,
so grab a healthy lunch at a summer site near you.”

“The summer meals program is a great way to make
sure that kids who get free lunch during the school year can also get the
nutrition they need when school is out,” said Bill Shore, founder and CEO of
Share Our Strength. “We are thrilled to be partnering with the NYC Department
of Education to ensure that every child in New York who needs something to eat
can get something to eat.”

 “Children who
eat regular, nutritious meals have more time and energy to focus on doing what
they do best: learning,” said City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn.
“Fighting hunger is a key component of academic success. Through summer meals,
the city maintains our commitment to fighting hunger year round. I hope
families will take advantage of this terrific program.”

 “This year,
we have brought together many city agencies and nonprofit partners to help
ensure that families are aware of this important program,” said Kimberly
Kessler, the Mayor’s food policy coordinator. “I am grateful to these partners
for their terrific efforts in getting the word out and look forward to
continuing to work together.”

 “The summer
meals program is a wonderful opportunity for young children to receive free
meals at over 1,000 schools, pools, parks and other great places in the city
while they enjoy their summer vacation,” Councilman James Vacca said. “Just
like during the school year, it’s absolutely vital that we continue to offer
these free and nutritious meals to these youngsters during the months that they
are not in school. Making sure our kids eat healthy year-round is something
that we should all take seriously.”

For a location and meal hours, parents can call 311,
log onto the DOE at www.opt-osfns.org/schoolfood/public1/default.aspx, visit
Share Our Strength’s website at www.strength.org, or NYCFood at
www.nyc.gov/nycfood. Parents also may text “nycmeals” to 877877, or visit the
Parks Department website for locations at parks and pools.

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A-Choke Strikes Again!

"New York Yankees Leather Computer Back Pack""New York Yankees Doormat""New York Yankees 3 Piece Bath Rugs"

Yanks Blast Four Homers, but Lose to Angels, 10-8

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 16- The mound matchup of two 10-game winners, Jared Weaver and Ivan Nova, created the expectation that the finale of the three-game series between the Yankees and Angels would be a tight pitchers’ duel. Instead the batters unloaded 27 hits including eight home runs, four by each team, during the Angels 10-8 win.

Each team put runs on the scoreboard via four baggers with one out in the first inning. Erick Aybar (4) and Albert Pujols (15) hit back-to-back home runs. The homer was the 450^th in the Hall of Fame career of Pujols.

After Curtis Granderson singled, Alex Rodriguez smacked his 643^rd career homer into the right field stands to tie the game.

The Yanks scored single runs in the second, sixth and seventh frames. A solo homer by Granderson (250) in the sixth and Eric Chavez (8) accounted for two of those runs.

The Yanks were topped by the visitors who scored eight runs on 11 hits in the final four innings. Maicer Itzuris’s first homer of the year scored two in the sixth. The play of two young phenoms, Mark Trumbo (26) and Mike Trout (20) led to several scores.

Trumbo was on first and scored on the homer by Itzuris. He led off the ninth with his 24^th home run of the season. The homer was his sixth in the last seven games against the Yanks for the “Yankee killer.” Trumbo raised his season batting average to .310 after getting five hits in 12 at bats in the three game series. The outstanding 2011 rookie is 14 for 30 against the Yanks in 2012 with six home runs and 11 runs batted in.

Sensational rookie Mike Trout doubled and scored a run the next inning with his second double of the contest. After going seven for 12 in the three multi-hit games, Trout’s A.L., leading batting average rose to .349. A sensational catch by Granderson in the third robbed Trout of another extra-base hit. In his last 21 games, Trout is batting above .400 (35 for 86).

A two-run homer By Mark Teixeira and four walks in the ninth gave the Yanks three runs to bring the game closer. With the score 10-8 in favor of the Angels and the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, A-Rod stepped to the plate. With many fans screaming for him to break Lou Gehrig’s record of 23 grand slam home runs, the game ended as a-Rod popped to first. The batter stated, “I put a good swing on it and I just popped it up.”

Both Rodriguez and Yankee manager Joe Girardi, although disappointed by the loss were pleased by the never-say-die attitude of the club. According to Rodriguez, “You can’t win every day. I like how we battled. Our objective was to win the series and we did that.”

Girardi commented, “When you come from behind, that’s how you win games. We were one hit away.” The Yanks have won a major league leading 29 come-from-behind games in 2012.

Yankees stats-Derek Jeter’s single was the 3,204^th in his career. Cano’s two singles tied his career high hitting streak of 18 consecutive games. He is 29 for 72 during that period. The Yankees have scored at least three runs in 39 straight games, a single season team mark. The Yanks have hit a major league high of 142 home runs in 2012, 41 in the last 21 contests.

Phil Hughes (9-7) will go to the mound in the first game of a three-game series with Toronto on Monday evening. Henderson Alvarez (5-7) will start for the Blue Jays.

Yanks Clip Angels’ Wings

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Yankees start second half with win over Angels

(Photo by Gary Quintal)

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 14- Mark Teixeira said the four-day hiatus this week for the all-Star break was what he may have needed, and the New York Yankees know the rest did him well. He hit two home runs Friday evening in the Bronx that enabled New York to open the second half of the season with a come from behind 6-5 win over the Los Angeles Angels.

Teixeira hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning to left field and catcher Russell Martin fighting out of a slump, hit a two-out single that overcame the Angels 5-2 lead.

“I had a good batting practice today and the extra energy,” commented Teixeira who recorded his 36^th career multi-home run game, now with 17 on the season. He also drove in five runs for the third time.

Teixeira commented, “It’s a new start. The first half really doesn’t mean anything.” In essence the first half did mean something as the Yankees opened the second half with a seven- game lead over the Baltimore Orioles in the American League east.

The Yankees won their second straight and fifth in their last six games. The win, first of three games with the Angels, was the start of a six-game home stand that will continue with Toronto.

“Sure the break helped him physically,” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi about Teixeira. “New York, at 53-33 went a season high 20-games over .500 with the best record in baseball.

Prior to the second home run by Teixeira, the Angels’ Mark Trumbo hit his team leading 23^rd home run giving them a 4-2 lead. It was the 15^th home run this year by Trumbo that has tied a game or given the Angels the lead, and his fifth straight game against the Yankees with a home run.

“We set the table for him and he got a big hit at the time and just missed another one,” said Angels’ manager Mike Scioscia. Nick Swisher robbed Trumbo of another home run when he leaped and got the out, a ball that looked like it was clearing the outfield wall in right, in the Angels eighth inning.

C.J Wilson pitched seven solid innings until Scott Downs (1-1) imploded for the Angels in an inning that started with a Derek Jeter double and a walk to Curtis Granderson.

Hiroki Kuroda did not figure in the decision for the Yankees after throwing six innings and giving up two home runs. Chad Qualls (1-0) got his first win for New York and Rafael Soriano recorded his 21^st save in 22 chances.

Martin, hoping for a better second half got it off to a good start. He drove in the game winning run in the eighth inning and also nailed two Angels on the base paths.

His throw to Jeter at second, with two outs in the ninth, nailed Howie Kendrick, the tying run to end the game.

 “Three guys out, the game winning hit,” said Girardi who added the game by Martin was important for him. Martin ended a, 0-for-30 slump last Saturday at Boston before the break.

Freddy Garcia (3-2) gets the start for New York Saturday afternoon.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

Superstar Trout Makes First Visit to Yankee Stadium

(Mike Trout steals second base in the top of the third inning, but is stranded.- Photo by Gary Quintal) 

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 14- Currently ranked in the top 10 in almost every offensive category and leading the American League in batting and stolen bases, 20-year-old Mike Trout, like his counterpart in the National League, 19-year-old Bryce Harper, is bringing excitement to every city in which he plays. The two center fielders are reminiscent to older fans of the entrance of Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays into the respective New York City center fields of Yankee Stadium and the Polo Grounds in the same year, 1951. Although no one can accurately foresee what each will accomplish in his future career in baseball, each has proven to have excellent talent.

Trout, who began the 2012 season with the Angels on April 28, made his first visit to Yankee stadium as a player on Friday, the 13^th. The young man’s visit was quite meaningful to him, “Just being in the same place as so many Hall of Famers played is awesome.”

In a pre-game press conference, the New Jersey native was questioned about his childhood baseball preferences and responded, “I was a Phillies fan, but Jeter was my guy. I always liked seeing him play. I played shortstop my whole life until my senior year [in high school] when I changed to outfield. I’m out there hustling on every play. That’s how Jeter plays the game and that’s how I want to play the game.”

The two will be even closer in the future and family members and friends of Trout were invited to watch Friday night’s game in Jeter’s luxury box.

Trout was selected by the Angels as the 25^th pick in the first round of the 2009 MLB First Year Player Draft. On Friday, the youngster commented, “Going 25^th gives me the motivation to prove them wrong.” He has been spurred to exhibit the capacity he possesses to be a star quality player in the majors.

Although he played 40 games with the Angels during the 2011 season, Trout is still considered to be a rookie. Thus, he is currently a favorite to be voted both the Rookie of the Year and the American League MVP. This is a rare honor previously won by Ichiro Suzuki and Fred Lynn.

Trout leads all American League rookies in every offensive category except triples in which he ranks second. He is the first rookie in AL history to rank first in batting average (.341) and stolen bases (26) at the All Star break.

Trout’s performances during May, June and early July added to his personal popularity earned him a place on the A.L. All-Star Team. He recounted his feelings on that memorable day to reporters at Yankee Stadium, “It was a great experience for my family and me and my friends. I started to feel a little nervous when I looked in the dugout and saw Derek Jeter and when I looked in the stands and saw my family.” Hid nervousness wore off quickly as he singled in his only at bat and stole a base. He was the youngest player to hit successful in the Mid-Summer Classic in 57 years.

The second youngest player currently in the majors was asked to comment about the youngest, Bryce Harper, “He’s a great guy; he plays the game the right way, hard; he’s got the same focus as I do, get on base and score a lot of runs. It’s only been one-half of a year, we have to keep working hard and making it happen.”

The two are on teams that appear to be heading to post-season berths. The Halos were only 6-14 prior to Trout’s joining the club, but have amassed the best record in the majors (42-25) since that date.

Trout’s first game in Yankee Stadium, although in a loss, was impressive. He singled and doubled in four at bats. He stole two bases and scored a run.

On Friday, at the age of 20 years, 10 months and 5 days, Trout described his experiences in the majors, “It’s definitely surreal. I try not to think about it during the season; it could give you a big head. I’ll talk about it with my parents after the season.”