Westchester Square News: Back to the Future for Yanks

Westchester Square 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

Westchester Square News: Yanks’ Pitching Heats Up

Westchester Square 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

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...