Sunday, September 23, 2012

Yanks Win Marathon

Beat A’s in 14 Innings
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, September 23- After  nearly six hours of play, an error allowed Ichiro Suzuki to cross home plate with the winning run in the 14th inning. The victory was the seventh straight for the wearers of the pinstripes and their tenth in the last 12. The win kept the yanks in first place over the Orioles, who seem to win every day.
The chance of Saturday afternoon’s game emulating the pitchers’ duel of Friday night ended in the first inning. Back-to-back-to back doubles by the first three batters of the game, Stephen Drew, Seth Smith and Yeonis Cspedes, put two runs on the board before the first out was recorded.
The Yanks countered with three runs in the bottom of the first. He torrid hitting by Ichiro Suzuki continued as he homered on a 0-1 pitch to give the Yanks their first run. Three walks, a balk, an error and a single by Robinson Cano added two additional scores for New York. Both teams completed their half inning with bases filled.
Oakland starter Travis Blackley left the game after two innings and Yankees starter Ivan Nova was removed after 2.1. Pitching was not the focus throughout the contest as the game included 19 runs, 31 hits, seven home runs, 15 walks, two hit batters and three errors.
A run by Oakland tied the score at 5 in the top of the seventh, but the greatest excitement was yet to come.
Drew led off the 13th with a single, his fourth hit of the game. Jonny Gomes followed with a homer to left that scored two. The next batter, rookie Cespedes connected with his 20th home run. Two batters later, Chris Carter belted the third home run of the inning into the left field seats.
According to Ichiro, the fans streamed from the stadium after that four-run half inning, “When they scored four runs, a lot of fans went home. I bet they’re shocked to get home and see the score.”
Yankee skipper Joe Girardi explained the faith of the Yankees players was very much higher than the fans who left the park, “When guys came in, there were a lot of guys yelling ‘Let’s go, let’s go, one at bat at a time.’ Everybody was kind of caught up in that.”
Suzuki led off the 13th with his third hit of the game, an infield single. The big blow of the four-run inning, was Raúl Ibañez’s second home run of the game. Ibañez entered the game in the fifth as a pinch hitter and broke a 0 for 18 streak with a homer. Before blasting the four bagger, the veteran outfielder had only hit safely twice in 45 at bats.
Cory Wade, who was awarded the win, retired all three batters he faced in the 14th.
With the bases loaded and two out in the bottom of the inning, Eduardo Nuñez grounded to first. The ball was booted by first sacker Brandon Moss, which allowed Ichiro to cross the plate with the winning run.
The final game of the three game set will have Hiroki Kuroda (14-10) on the mound for the Yanks. A.J. Griffin (6-2) will start for Oakland.
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Saturday, September 22, 2012

Yanks Walk Off with Win

CC Shines as MartinWalk Off Homer Gives Yanks Win
(Photos by Gary Quintal)
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, September 22-A walk-off homer by Russell Martin, the lead-off batter in the bottom of the ninth on Friday night, gave the Yanks their sixth straight victory and their ninth win in the last 11 games. The win kept the Yanks in first place in the American League East, one game ahead of the Baltimore Orioles. The victory was an encouraging start for the Yanks in their weekend set against the Oakland A’s.
The first eight frames were a crisply played and exciting pitching duel between CC Sabathia and Jarrod Parker. Sabathia did not allow a hit during the first five innings. The Yankee starter retired 14 straight batters after Jonny Gomes, the second batter of the game, drew a walk.
Oakland’s first hit was a single to center by Stephen Drew that led off the sixth. Drew’s single with one out in the eighth was the second hit by Oakland.
Sabathia left the game after hurling eight shutout innings. He yielded three hits, two walks and hit a batter during his outstanding stint on the mound. The lefty fanned 11 batters, the fifth time in 2012 when he recorded double figures in strikeout Yankee manager Joe Girardi was pleased by the work of his starter, “I thought his slider and his change-up helped him. I thought he got stronger as the game went on. This season that’s what we’re used to seeing from him. Tonight might have been the best game he pitched this season.”
Walker pitched eight innings and the final score was 2-1 in both of his starts against the Yanks in 2012. On July 5, he gave up five hits and one run while earning the win.
He was at least as impressive on Friday night when he surrendered six hits and a single tally. He fanned seven but did not walk a batter, yet, like Sabathia, was not involved in the decision.
The only run off Walker was scored in the fourth. Nick Swisher led off with a single, moved up on a single by Alex Rodriguez and crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly to left by Curtis Granderson.
The A’s skipper, Bob Melvin, made a wise move in the ninth as pinch hitter Brandon Mossi homered off closer Rafael Soriano to tie the contest.
Russell Martin wasted no time in the tenth as he lifted the second pitch he saw into the left field seats to end the contest.
Two veteran Yankees, who will be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame five years after their playing careers end, continued to display their abilities at the plate. Derek Jeter singled to lead-off the sixth, raising his consecutive game hitting streak to 15. Ichiro Suzuki singled in each of his first two trips to the plate. The 38 year old has hit successfully in 11 of his 15 at bats during the last four games. He also stole his 27th base this season.
On Saturday afternoon, Ivan Nova (12-7) will start for the Yanks against Travis Blackley (5-3) for Oakland in the second of the three game series.
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Thursday, September 20, 2012

Daily Double for Bombers

Yanks Remain in First Place
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, September 20- A combination of outstanding pitching and timely hitting gave the Yankees a second victory on Wednesday. The 2-1 victory in the second of a day/night doubleheader on Wednesday allowed the Yanks to remain in first place in the American League East with 14 games remaining for the Bronx Bombers.
David Phelps hurled his lengthiest and most impressive start of 2012. He threw 110 pitches, 12 more his previous high of the season in 6.2 innings, a distance he had only reached once this year.
Two walks and an RBI single by Aderiny Hechevarria scored the only Toronto run in the game. Rajai Davis led off the third with a single, but was thrown out trying to steal. Phelps retired the next 12 batters before J.P. Arencibia reached first on a throwing error by Derek Jeter with one out in the sixth.
Although Pettitte pitched his expected maximum of five innings in game one, it took six relievers to complete the game. Thus, it was necessary to Phelps to carry the load in the second game. He stated, “I know I had to go out there and pitch deep into the game.”
Ichiro Suzuki showed his superior abilities are still intact. In the doubleheader he hit safely seven times, stole four bases and made a critical great catch in the first game with the bases loaded to preserve the Yankees 4-2 victory.
Suzuki went four for four in the nightcap. In the second, with Jayson Nix and Casey McGehee on base via walks, Ichiro singled to center, but Nix was thrown out trying to score.
In the eighth, with the game knotted at one, Ichiro got his fourth hit of the contest. The hit drove in Curtis Granderson with what proved to be the winning run.
After the game, the calm outfielder explained his feelings, “I came in the middle of the season; I wanted to contribute. Today was a great day. I was glad I was able to help.”
Of his fellow outfielder, Nick Swisher exclaimed, “I don’t think anybody could have got him out today.”
Another hero of the doubleheader was closer Rafael Soriano. The closer saved both games. In the opener, the save was a rare four out effort. Soriano has saved 42 games in 45 opportunities. Even more impressive is the fact that his first save did not come until May3, when Mariano Rivera was placed on the DL.
The Yankees will attempt to sweep the series on Thursday night with Phil Hughes (15-12) on the mound. Hughes will be opposed by Aaron Laffey (3-5).

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Not another shelter!



COMMUNITY BOARD
NEWS N’ VIEWS

 by

Father Richard F. Gorman
Chairman
Community Board #12 (The Bronx)

“L’SHANA TOVA!” or, as one would say in English, “HAPPY NEW YEAR!” This Sunday evening past at sunset, our Jewish friends across our beautiful Borough of The Bronx and, indeed, throughout the world, began the celebration of their New Year 5773.   

The traditional New Year greeting of “L’SHANNA TOVA,” literally “for a good year,” expresses the ardent aspiration of the Jewish people for a year of holiness, wholesomeness, good health, and good will among each other and with all people. On this ROSH HASHANAH, I join with my Jewish friends in praying for such a year, not only for them, but for all of God’s Children. May 5773 bring only peace and prosperity to us all!

Regrettably, though, 5773 is not getting off on the right foot for the citizens of Community Board #12 (The Bronx) and, in particular, for the residents of Wakefield. The hard-pressed people of Wakefield, already exploited by the burden of taking on three facilities housing different populations within the greater homeless populace of the City of New York, are about to be weighed down with possibly a fourth one. 

As all in Bronx Community District #12 already know all too well, three facilities are already in the works in Wakefield. PROJECT RENEWAL, a mega-not-for-profit (N-F-P) catering to homeless individuals with chemical dependencies and/or mental illness, has undertaken to convert a former commercial building into a facility housing 100 to 125 homeless persons at 4380 Bronx Boulevard at the intersection of East 238TH Street (Nereid Avenue). Directly across the street on the very same intersection, in the now vacated SERGEANT JOSEPH E. MULLER UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE CENTER (M.U.S.A.R.C.), formerly a base for the United States Army National Guard situated at 555 East 238TH STREET (Nereid Avenue), THE DOE FUND, another colossal charitable organization addressing the homeless issue, is intending to operate a facility for over 200 itinerant individuals. Up the hill and around the corner to the right at 4339 White Plains Road, PRAXIS HOUSING INITIATIVES  --  still another sizable charity dedicated to aiding those who are chronically homeless as a consequence of H.I.V./A.I.D.S., mental health concerns, chemical dependency, and other special needs  -- has embarked on the construction of a facility with some 60+ units in which homeless individuals, with one or more of the aforesaid complicating factors, will be leased apartments thereby technically rendering them no longer homeless.

“ENOUGH ALREADY!” one would say. Certainly, the good, decent, hard working, taxpaying people of Wakefield have done more than their fair share for their disadvantaged brothers and sisters without a roof over the head. BUT . . . . . . “NO!” says ACACIA NETWORK, still another money-spinning not-for-profit (N.F.P.) who used to go by the name “PROMESA.” Conniving with a local developer, who has a voracious appetite for gulping up sites in our neck of the woods and putting up housing that he is unable to market, ACACIA NETWORK is looking to lease a newly erected edifice situated at 4453 White Plains Road between East 240TH Street and East 241ST Street that has some 56 units --  studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments  --  in which 100 or more homeless folks could easily be sheltered. Of course, who should be noticing that the greatest transformation occurring in Wakefield has less to do with the lives of the homeless than that that of the homeowners and residents of this bucolic neighborhood, who are witnessing the conversion of their neighborhood into a homeless colony! After all, protest our say our gainfully employed friends in the N-F-P community, something needs to be done in order to get a
handle on the homeless epidemic in New York City and to turn its tide.

I wholeheartedly and enthusiastically agree. Where I vehemently
disagree with many of these folks  --  most of whom I do believe are sincere in their desire to do good for the less fortunate  --  is the fashion under which this true work of God is accomplished and how the sacrifice for it is shared.

Wakefield Homeless Facility #4 brought to us by ACACIA NETWORK is a story only beginning to unfold that requires additional space and print to tell. Tune in next week for more of the truth of this sad saga.
Until next time, that is it for this time!




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FIGHTING DIRTY!



Splash Mob Beats Laundromat Clerk












By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, September 19- A group of thugs beat and robbed a laundromat clerk in Wakefield and all of it was caught on tape.

Police released the video that showed the clerk trying to fight off a male robber while two women took turns beating the worker with a pole. While the beat down was going on, a fourth accomplice made off with the cash register. 

At around 10:40 p.m. on September 16, the group entered the Clean Laundryland Laundromat on White Plains Road and attacked the clerk. As the male robber and the clerk struggled, the two women are seen hitting him with a pole.

The main attacker is described as a black male who was seen wearing a blue-hooded sweatshirt, black pants with white stripes and sneakers. The second suspect is a black woman seen wearing a long-sleeved shirt, blue jeans and yellow baseball cap. The other woman was wearing a white tank top and blue denim shorts. The fourth suspect, who made off with the cash register, is a black male who was seen wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, black pants and sneakers.

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

All calls are kept strictly confidential.


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Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Do the Yanks have the goods to earn playoff berth?


Will They or Won’t They?


(Photo by Gary Quintal)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, September 18- Two months ago, it appeared as if the Yanks were a sure thing to finish first in the American League East. The club led the conference by a season-high 10 games on July 18. Since that date, New York has faltered.

In the following 50 games after that high-point of the season, the Yanks won only 22. Although they have remained on top or tied for the lead in the A.L. East at the end of every day since June 20, it will take effort for the team to win the pennant or even qualify for the post-season.

Parity is alive in each American League division as each game during the final 2 ½ weeks of the regular season are critical to the Yankees and their A.L. East rivals, Baltimore and Tampa, to the White Sox and Tigers in the A.L. Central and to the Rangers, Athletics and Angels in the A.L. West. The addition of a Wild Card in each league has, as was hoped, increased interest in more cities as the season nears its conclusion.

The victories of the Yanks over the Rays on September 15 and 16 kept New York one game ahead of the Orioles and increased their lead over the Rays to four with 16 games remaining.

The outstanding work of the two starters, Ivan Nova and Hiroki Kuroda, and the hope instilled by the scheduled return of Andy Pettitte from the disabled list on Tuesday greatly increases the self-confidence of the team and its rooters.

Nova’s last start was on August 21. Two days after, he was placed on the DL with right rotator cuff inflammation. Nova only allowed his “cousins” only two runs and four hits in his innings of his first start in nearly one month.

After the contest, Tampa skipper Joe Maddon spoke words of praise for Nova, “Great command of his breaking ball again. His fastball was there, too. He was up to 95. So he was well, definitely well today. Whatever was bothering him is not bothering him right now. The curveball was really good again and then the fastball velocity was up.”

Nova has little difficulty with the Rays, especially in the Bronx. Nova, at home, is 4-0 with an ERA of 1.83 against the Rays. Maddon jokingly remarked, “He [Nova] likes our uniforms. I know that. He’s very comfortable when he sees our uniform.”

On the next day, Sunday, Kuroda demonstrated his talent. He almost duplicated his stats of 11 days earlier in his only other start against the Rays. In both games he gave up four runs in six innings, but earned the win, 6-4. He threw 101 pitches I both outing with 62 as strikes on September 5 and 61 on September 16. On Sunday, he fanned 10.

Although the win was Kuroda’s 14th, better hitting support from his teammates would have increased that number. After Sunday’s game, Yankee manager Joe Girardi commented, “His off speed was tremendous today; he really used it effectively.” He also spoke of the lack of run support during his appearances [3.07 during his previous 10 starts], “He hasn’t got a lot of run support.”

There is gleeful anticipation awaiting the schedules start of Andy Pettitte on September 18. Pettitte last started on June 27, when his left ankle was fractured by a ground ball.

Of his experience and the respect the other pitchers have for Pettitte, Girardi stated, “I think his presence is very important to our staff. He also pitched very well.”

The Yankees are hopeful the return of Nova and Pettitte and the presence of Kuroda will gave the team a berth in the playoffs.


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Saturday, September 15, 2012

Jeter Moves Up on Hit List



CC, Yanks Can’t Keep Rays Down





(Lucky for him, unlucky for the Yanks - This young fan got hold of a ball Friday night, but the Yankees couldn't win for him.)




Photos by Gary Quintal  


By Rich Mancuso
BRONX, NEW YORK, September 15- David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays has had success as the opposing pitcher when facing the New York Yankees’ CC Sabathia. Coming off a 5-5 road trip, that concluded winning their last two at Boston, the Yankees needed Sabathia to be his best.
Price, got the best of Sabathia again Friday night in the Bronx pitching the Rays to 6-4 win at Yankee Stadium, the start of an important three-game series in what has become a tight race for first place in the American League east.
“That was a big game for us facing CC and that lineup,” said Price (18-5) who won his league leading 18th game. He improved to 7-4 against the Yankees and his team has won seven of eight against New York when he is on the mound.
Though Sabathia looked sharp at times, limiting the Rays to one hit through five innings, his location was not evident as the Rays’ scored three runs in the fifth inning. A double, walk, RBI single and a wild pitch put Tampa ahead.
“I still believe in CC,” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi.  “There’s a guy that’s done so many special things for us here so I still believe in him.” Sabathia allowed six hits and four runs in 6/2-3 innings and he lost control of his breaking ball in that fifth inning.
Said Sabathia, “I feel good. I am just not going out there and executing pitches.”
The Yankees, struggling to score runs with runners in scoring position, 1-for-6, could not surmount a significant rally when Price left the game after seven innings, striking out six on five hits.
Curtis Granderson hit his 38th home run in the fifth inning off Price. Alex Rodriguez hit his 18th home run of the season when Price left the game off Joel Peralta in the eighth inning that that led to the final Yankees runs of the evening.
It was the 647th career home run for Rodriquez that sent him past Lou Gehrig for ninth place on the runs list with 1,899.
With his 3,284th hit in the fifth inning, Derek Jeter broke a tie with Willie Mays for sole possession of 10th place on baseball’s all-time hits list. But as Jeter said, “It is more important to win games,” as the Yankees remained tied with Baltimore for first place with Baltimore in the division.
Fernando Rodney tossed 1.2 scoreless innings and got the five out save, his 43rd. “We had two Cy Young Award candidates pitch tonight for us,” said Rays manager Joe Maddon commenting about Price and Rodney.
“It’s something that when the season is over I will have an opportunity to appreciate it more,” commented Jeter about the milestone hit. “Right now I want to concentrate on winning games.”
The Yankees will try and get on the winning track again Saturday afternoon. Ivan Nova, (11-7) gets his first start since coming off the disabled list 
e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.,com




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