A-Rod, Andy Double Team Royals

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By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, May 24- Before the New York Yankees took the field Wednesday evening for the finale of a three-game series with the Kansas City Royals in the Bronx, Alex Rodriquez said he was feeling good and in his words said, “Ready to go off.”

Rodriguez, who has not been supplying the power that has been a trademark of his career, meant every word about being ready to get those numbers. His two home run night, and seven strong innings of pitching from Andy Pettitte propelled New York to an 8-3 win at the stadium, taking two of three before heading for a nine- game, three- city road swing.

“I said it with conviction not because it was going to sound good here in my locker but because I felt it,” said Rodriquez about his 60th multi-home run game. “It’s good to back that up.”

His first home run, in the first inning, with a man on gave the Yankees a 3-0 lead ending a 52- at bat homer less stretch. And his seventh home run of the season, a solo shot in the third inning, also off Royals starter and loser Will Smith, (0-1) opened a 5-0 lead for New York.

The left hander Smith, making his Major League debut, allowed five runs in three innings.

“The long ball hurt him tonight,” said Royals manager Ned Yost about Smith.”At times he threw some good breaking balls and other times some pitches got too much of the plate. It’s tough coming in your first start at Yankee Stadium against this club.”

Smith got a taste of the Yankees and the stadium in the first inning. Curtis Granderson homered to deep right on a 1-2 pitch, his 14^th of the year that put New York up 1-0.

He got Derek Jeter to hit a grounder to shortstop leading off the first. Jeter had three hits on the night and tied Paul Wagner for 15^th on the all-time list with 2,152 hits.

“I was nervous a little bit facing a future Hall of Famer to start your career in Derek Jeter,” said Smith who a 22-year old who was called up from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday. “But you still got to go out there and make your pitches and get people out,” he said.

Pettitte (2-1) won his second start and allowed two runs on seven hits, striking out eight. He gave up two solo home runs in the fourth and fifth innings to Billy Butler and Mitch Maier.

He has not lost to the Royals since 1999 and has a career mark of 14-3 in 24 games.

“I felt like I’m moving the ball around the zone and that makes it difficult to hit,” Pettitte commented. His curveball was effective. His off speed pitches fooled more than one Royals hitter, and the changeup was vintage Pettitte that helped the Yankees to five previous world championship titles.

As for Rodriquez, who has been getting to the ballpark early and making adjustments, manager Joe Girardi said, “It helps Alex to do it two times in a row. People will stop asking him where’s the power?  The power is there.”

Email Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com and watch and listen to Rich Thursday night live 5:30-7:30pm, Keep it in the Ring on www.inthemixxradio.com

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Can-Do!

New York Yankees Dynasty Banner FlagColeman New York Yankees Folding Stadium Seat

Some breaks and a Cano home run lead Yanks to win over Royals

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, May 23- Alex Rodriquez struck out with the bases loaded and the New York Yankees still were 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position. But Phil Hughes (4-5) gave up five hits in six innings, striking out seven. And the Yankees were able to get some breaks that have not gone their way in defeating the Kansas City Royals 3-2 in the Bronx Tuesday evening.

“I hope it carries over tomorrow,” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi who saw his club snap a three-game losing streak. The finale of the home stand and series with the Royals is Wednesday night before New York embarks on a nine-game three-city trip that takes them to Oakland, Los Angeles and Detroit. 

A two-run, fifth inning saw the Yankees break a skid that had them 0-for- 15 with the bases loaded. Derek Jeter banged a single to left that scored Mark Teixeira who led off the inning with a single and took second on an error by right fielder Jeff Francoeur. That tied the score at 2-2.

Teixeira batted seventh for the second straight game, a move Girardi made to hopefully spark some offense. In that inning the breaks came when Francoeur bobbled the ball, Russell Martin was hit by a pitch, and Dewayne Wise reached base on a bunt that fooled the Royals.

Curtis Granderson, 3-for-13 on the current six-game home stand followed with a fielder’s choice that scored Russell Martin for the Yankees second run.

Before that, the Royals reached Hughes for their two runs. Humberto Quintero hit a run scoring double in the third and Jeff Francouer hit his second home run of the series, third of the year, a solo shot to left.

“It seemed like nothing was a walk in the park tonight,” commented Hughes. In the eighth, with Girardi using four relievers out of the pen, before Rafael Soriano closed the game in the ninth, earning his third save, Clay Rapada induced Mike Moustakas to hit into an inning ending double play.

Robinson Cano also homered for New York. It was his third in 12-career at bats against Royals starter and loser (3-5) Luke Hochevar, who entered the game with a 8.83 ERA , 0-2 in four career starts against the Yankees. That put the first run on the board for the Yankees in the fourth.

“He did a great job during that inning,” said Royals manager Ned Yost about his starter. “They really didn’t hit the ball hard and they made a perfect bunt. Jeter is great at finding holes. He limited the damage big time in the fifth inning, but I thought that he pitched a darn good game.”

Rodriquez, 1-for-4, struck out with the bases loaded in the fifth inning before Cano was walked intentionally.

“It wasn’t that pretty, but that was a good win,” he said. “It felt really good to win a game like this. Sometimes you need a game like this to kind of get you on a roll. Hopefully, it’s a good sign of things to come. We haven’t been winning these kinds of games.”

Andy Pettitte, (1-1) makes his third start for New York since his return in the series finale Wednesday evening.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

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Westchester Square News: Swarm of Bees Re-route Rush Hour on Westchester Sq...

Westchester Square News: Swarm of Bees Re-route Rush Hour on Westchester Sq...: (Photos by David Greene) By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, May 22- A swarm of 10,000 bees took over a busy bus stop in Westchester Square ...

Swarm of Bees Re-route Rush Hour on Westchester Square

(Photos by David Greene)

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, May 22- A swarm of 10,000 bees took over a busy bus stop in Westchester Square, forcing police to redirect traffic and causing delays for hundreds of bus riders during rush hour.

The swarm of bumblebees mysteriously arrived and landed on the street, against the sidewalk at E. Tremont Avenue and Westchester Avenue, at just after 6 p.m., on Friday, May 18. A passersby took photos and gawked at the sight.

The incident once again prompted the NYPD to call its bee specialist Anthony Planakis, who used a vacuum to scoop up the two pounds worth of bees.

Planakis has been quite busy lately, having last come into the Bronx on April 30, when he removed 7,000 hunter bees from a tree in Melrose.

On Friday, May 11, Planakis returned to Melrose when two swarms made a temporary home in two trees along E. 154 Street.

On Wednesday, May 23, Planakis removed 9,000 bees from a tree on the Bowery in lower Manhattan.

In the most recent incident, a mother and child were briefly trapped in their car on Sunday, May 20, when a swarm landed on their car parked on Pier 92 on Manhattan's west side.

Planakis has given an early spring as the reason for the NYPD to so far have to call the bee expert more than a dozen times in the past two months. 

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Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bronx Walk of Fame Inductees

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bronx Walk of Fame Inductees: (Photos by Gary Quintal & David Greene) By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, May 21- Four more Bronxites were inducted into the Bron...

Bronx Walk of Fame Inductees

(Photos by Gary Quintal & David Greene)

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, May 21- Four more Bronxites were inducted into the Bronx, "Walk of Fame," during the 22nd Annual Bronx Week celebration at the Bronx County Courthouse on Sunday, May 20.

Rapper Fat Joe, actor and Model Tyson Beckford, jazz musician Valerie Capers and cinematographer Sol Negrin were all immortalized with special street signs with their names on it, that will hang outside the courthouse on the Grand Concourse.

Born Joseph Antonio Cartagena, Fat Joe told a crowd of fans, "I'm happy to be honored today, proud to be from the Bronx. I love the Bronx, love to represent the Bronx wherever we go... I'm just honored, I don't know what else to say."

Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., explained to the crowd, "When we induct someone into the, "Walk of Fame," ... it's not only because their famous, it's not only because they've done well for themselves and their families, it's because regardless of their expertise, these individuals are all masters of their craft."

Diaz continued, "Yet they have worn, like a badge of honor, the fact that the Bronx was their home."

After the event, Beckford stated he often still visits the Wakefield section, where he grew up on E. 219 Street, adding it was an honor to be immortalized with a street sign, adding, "Man it's a good feeling, growing up I never thought this could happen."

Beckford offered a tip to youngsters, telling them, "Just follow-your dreams."

The 10-day celebration culminated with a parade along Mosholu Parkway that featured a live performance by Bronx rapper Dougie Fresh.

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BEER HERE!

(Photos by David Greene)

Large crowds flocked to the two-day event titled, "The Bronx Beer Hall Preview," held on Thursday and Friday, May 17 - 18, at The Valentine- Varian House on Bainbridge Avenue. The event, held in association with "Bronx Week," celebrating the announcement that the staff of the Jonas Bronxk's Beer Company has joined with Mike's Deli on Arthur Avenue, to open The Bronx Beer Hall, housed inside The Arthur Avenue Retail Market. Glasses of the Bronx-made beer were available for a nominal fee. The event also feature a live musical performance.

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