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

Westchester Square News: Social Media Stooges

Westchester Square 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...

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 Robert Johnson and NYPD Commissioner William Bratton announce the early morning raid by members of the NYPD’s 42^nd Precinct that netted eight members of the Lyman Place Gang, and the indictments of seven gang members already in custody, for crimes ranging from conspiracy to robbery to attempted murder.

The 57-count indictment unsealed in Bronx Supreme Court continues the investigation and prosecution that began late last year, when 11 Lyman members were indicted on charges including murder, attempted murder and conspiracy.

As with last year’s case, much of the gang members’ communication took place on Facebook, and related to the acquisition of firearms and ammunition, and the targeting of victims in rival gangs.

Some of those online communications also related to the robberies for which several members are charged, including one on March 1^st, 2015, in the vicinity of 1409 Prospect Avenue, during which three gang members allegedly robbed a food deliveryman of cash and a cell phone. Another took place on St. Patrick’s Day of this year at the Bright Star Deli, 858 Prospect Avenue, during which two of the accused allegedly punched an employee in the face and stole cash from the register.

District Attorney Robert Johnson noted that each of these arrests makes an important stride in making the streets safer for citizens in the Bronx: “This kind of violence is senseless, and it is our office’s goal, along with that of the NYPD, to make sure that guns are taken off the streets, and those wrongdoers who would use guns or other means to threaten the safety of law abiding citizens, are targeted by our investigations.”

"This investigation is an example of law enforcement addressing the violence caused by street crews such as the Lyman Gang whose reckless actions affect the quality of life of the residents where they operate. I want to thank the members of the 42nd Precinct and the Bronx District Attorney’s Office for bringing these alleged crew members to justice,” said Police Commissioner William J. Bratton.

The District Attorney singled out for praise the 42^nd Precinct’s Field Intelligence Officers Sgt. Adrian Uruci and P.O. David Terrell, the NYPD’s Intelligence Bureau, and P.O. Brian Moore of the Juvenile Justice Division.  Also thanked for their work on the shooting and robberies are Det. Dan Brady, Det. Shane Rogers, Det. Luis Reyes, and Det. Carlos Lozada of the 42^nd Precinct.

The case against the Lyman Place Gang is being prosecuted by Bronx Assistant District Attorneys Christina Nowak and Felicity Lung of the Bronx D.A. Gangs/Major Case Bureau, as well as Edward Friedenthal, Counsel to the Bureau.

The charges in this indictment are merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

#NYPD #LymanPlaceGang #Facebook #BronxDA #Bronxnews

Westchester Square News: Gunfire Erupts Outside of School

Westchester Square News: Gunfire Erupts Outside of School: Gunfire Erupts Outside of School (Photo by David Greene) By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 8- Police were looking f...

Gunfire Erupts Outside of School

Gunfire Erupts Outside of School

(Photo by David Greene)

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 8- Police were looking for the gunman who fired at least three shots as dozens of children played in a nearby schoolyard.

One of the shots hit the unidentified victim in the middle of his back outside of M.S. 22, which also houses the Jordan L. Mott Junior High School and the Bronx Writing Academy.

Police officers from the 44th Precinct were called to the intersection of East 167 Street and Morris Avenue and discovered the wounded 25 year-old male at 3:50 p.m. on April 6.

According to police officials the victim was rushed to Lincoln Hospital and was expected to survive.

One unconfirmed report stated that police were looking for a light-skinned Hispanic male, who fled through the alley of the school towards East 166 Street.

Despite the recent deployment of the new NYPD program ShotSpotter, which pinpoints the exact location of gunfire, one business owner stated, "I'd say crime is up, way up.”

Officers in the 44th Precinct responded to a second shooting when a male victim was shot inside Joyce Kilmer Park at East 163 Street and the Grand Concourse.

Police continue to investigate both incidents.

 #NYPD #School #Shooting #Bronxnews

Westchester Square News: 2015 Opening Day at Yankee Stadium

Westchester Square News: 2015 Opening Day at Yankee Stadium: 2015 Opening Day at Yankee Stadium (Photos by Gary Quintal) By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 6- It has been more than...

2015 Opening Day at Yankee Stadium

2015 Opening Day at Yankee Stadium

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 6- It has been more than six months since Yankees and Mets fans have seen their favorite team play a meaningful game. The desire to see the Yankees in person play and win, even without the presence of Derek Jeter for the first time in 20 years, drew many thousands to 161st Street in the Bronx hours before the scheduled 1:10 pm start.

Dr. Cary Goodman, the executive director of the 161st Street Business Improvement District (161 BID), as always, proactively planned for this joyous event in the community in which he works. The goal of the local organization he heads as its name implies is to encourage visitors to the neighborhood to spend an enjoyable time before, during and after the event at Yankee Stadium while patronizing the businesses in the area. To achieve this end, BID employees and volunteers distributed Yankees stickers and provided face painting to the younger fans.

While touring the community, visitors saw large murals of baseball legends including Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Yogi Berra, Elston Howard, Reggie Jackson, Mariano Rivera, Roberto Clemente and Satchel Paige. These very appropriate additions to the beautification of the neighborhood were painted on the gates of local businesses during the past year and sponsored by the 161 BID.

As 1 pm approached, the focus of most fans were on the activities within Yankee Stadium. The 10:30 am opening of gates to the public allowed many to watch batting practice.

Interest increased among the fans as the players of each team were introduced. The loudest reaction to any name was to Alex Rodriguez, who was suspended for the entire 2014 baseball season. The reaction was not negative nor was it when A‐Rod singled to lead off the fifth inning.

Shortly before 1 pm, West Point cadets unfurled a giant American flag on the field. As cheers were heard throughout the stands, the United States

Military Academy Band performed the National Anthem of the United States and Canada, as the opponents of the Yanks were the Toronto Blue Jays . Although similar ceremonies are performed at Yankee Stadium to start each season, they were still very moving.

A Yankee hero since 1996 and a New York City native, Joe Torre, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Torre was honored by the Yankees that same evening as he received the Pride of the Yankees Award at the annual Yankees Welcome Home Dinner.

After the ceremonies concluded, the 2015 baseball season at Yankee Stadium officially began with the first pitch, a strike, thrown by Yankees starting pitching Masahiro Tanaka to former Met Jose Reyes at 1:12 pm.

#Yankees #ARod #Tanaka #Bronxnews