Is Cy Young In Mo's Future?

Mariano Rivera is turning back the clock in 2008. He hasn't just been good or very good. He's been unbelievable, even by Rivera standards. The 38 year-old's season is even more jaw-dropping when you isolate his performances during save situations...and oh yeah, remember that he's 38 years old.

With no particular AL starting pitcher yet emerging as a no-brain selection for the Cy Young, this may be the season Rivera picks up the elusive hardware. Actually, Cliff Lee may have something to say about that.

From Ed Price:

Not only has Rivera converted his first 20 save chances, making him the third pitcher to do so since 2000, but he has not allowed a run in any of those games. He is just the third pitcher since the save was instituted in 1969 to complete his first 20 save opportunities without allowing a run, joining Detroit's John Hiller in 1973 and Boston's Jonathan Papelbon in 2006.

When the Yankees have a slim lead, he is nearly untouchable. Rivera has retired 25 of the last 26 batters he has faced when protecting a one-run lead -- 0-for-25 with one walk and 15 strikeouts. The only hit he has allowed all year with the Yankees up a run came April 3, to Toronto's Vernon Wells.

That last bit is the definition of automatic. Here's the pitching line thus far for Rivera: 34 innings, 15 hits, 39 strikeouts, 3 walks, 0.79 ERA and 0.53 WHIP. At some point The Sandman will decline - just not this year.

Reynolds No Like Joba Starting

Harold Reynolds - of Seattle Mariners and ESPN harassment fame - has his own blog now and what better way to drive traffic there than a post on why Joba Chamberlain needs to stay in the bullpen.

If you've ever visited BL before, you realize where I stand on the Chamberlain debate. Let's just say I believe it's harder for a team to find a Jake Peavy than it is to find a Guerillmo Mota. In other words, the top-line starter is much more rare and consistent than the dominant setup man who can fall of the face of the earth after a couple superb seasons.

Here's the latest kneejerk reaction to Joba's transition into the starting five:

When I first heard the Yankees were considering moving Joba Chamberlain to the starting rotation, I didn't like it. When it became official, I liked it even less! The end of a dynasty! Some might say that would be too extreme or maybe too harsh. Okay, how about: "The Yanks won't make the playoffs this season, ending a 12-year run."

Sorry Yankee fans, I know you don't want to hear it, but unless they can find someone to close the gap from the 6th inning on, and get the ball to Mariano Rivera, the streak will end.

To be fair, I've always been a Reynolds fan and thought Baseball Tonight took a big step back in his absence. However, as much as I agree Chamberlain shortened games in the Rivera-to-Wetteland vein, you just can't waste the best arm on your team in late inning relief.

And, should Joba prove to be a better reliever than starter it's not as if he will be locked out of the bullpen, he can always return as closer once Mariano Rivera rides off into the sunset. I doubt that would be necessary, but it's nice to know you have a lights out closer in waiting should the rotation plan falter.

Yankees Eek Out Series Win

On a cold night, Yankee fans found warmth in the performance of Philip J. Hughes, the 21 year-old righthander who the Bronx faithful refused to part with - even if it meant a Johan Santana return. No one can know what type of season the young arm will have, but if Thursday night was a preview, the feature presentation will be mighty good. Over six innings, Hughes allowed two runs on four hits, walked one, struck out four and only threw 87 pitches [58 for strikes].

Wednesday night's game was rather simple. AJ Burnett came, threw gas, spiked some curveballs and conquered the highly-praised Yankees offense. The lone blemish came in the form of a rocket launched off the bat of Alex Rodriguez. Though New York was able to put the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the ninth, the team looked flat throughout and never seemed a serious threat to recapture the lead.

Last night, Dustin McGowan mimicked Burnett and frustrated the Yankees lineup for the majority of his six inning effort. As Hughes worked quickly and economically - sideswiped by a weak David Eckstein bloop double and infield single with two outs - it appeared the Yankees bats would again go quiet into that good night. However, the offense rallied with help from McGowan's wildness and ultimately took the lead for good thanks to some poor fielding and a well-placed bloop of their own - thanks to Bobby Abreu.

In all honesty, the Yankees did not deserve to win their opening series, and, had the ball bounced differently on a few occasions, the Bombers could have begun their season like the Detroit Tigers at 0-3. However, they were able to gut out two victories from the jaws of defeat and can now feast their eyes on tomorrow's starter [Andy Sonnanstine] and his robust ERA.

Top Performer:
Phil Hughes -
After already surrendering one run thanks to a patented Eckstein bloop double, Hughes was noticeably on the ropes in the fourth inning. When Alex Rios attempted to swipe second base only to advance to third on Robinson Cano's poor attempt to receive a perfect strike from Jose Molina, the Blue Jays were primed to notch another run. With only one out, Hughes was able to bare down and strike out both Vernon Wells and Frank Thomas to end the threat. The impressive called strike three was not taken so happily by Thomas, whose blow up at homeplate resulted in an early shower for the Big Hurt.

Second Place:
The Bullpen -
Billy Traber came in to face one batter: Lyle Overbay. The lefty specialist did his job by striking out the first baseman and handed the ball to Brian Bruney, who shockingly did not walk a batter or allow a baserunner before closing the seventh inning. Joba Chamberlain came in to pitch the eighth inning, needing 11 pitches [8 for strikes] to retire the side. Mariano Rivera needed 13 pitches to close up shop - but had to record the last out with the tying run standing 90 feet from home.

Honorable mention: Melky Cabrera who continues his habit of finding himself in the middle of or at the start of a crucial rally. The Melkman did it again last night, leading off the sixth inning with a key single.

Last Place:
Derek Jeter -
When did Jeter become such a rally-killer? It's the third game of the season and everyone with a half a brain realizes the Captain will redeem himself ten-fold for his GIDP-itis, but Yankees pitchers hope it comes sooner than later. Cano's poor fielding during the Rios stolen base and an 0-for at the plate were also none too pretty.

Wang, Joba, Mo and Head Home

Opening Night . . .

First and foremost, Tuesday's opening night was a tremendous baseball game. The fact that the Yankees won the game is secondary. There's no doubt who the player of the game was, as Melky Cabrera made two solid catches [one good, one great] along with a 315 foot homerun which landed approximately six inches over the 314 foot sign.

In second place would be Chien Ming-Wang who battled through seven innings, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks. He was nowhere near his sharpest and yet when the box-score is printed tomorrow morning it shows he fought, got the ball to Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera and earned himself the win.

It was slightly strange yet interesting to see Joe Girardi jog out to the mound in the seventh inning to chat with Wang [before the pitcher induced a crucial groundout to keep the score tied at 2]. Rivera handed Girardi the ball from the final out, and during his postgame interview the new skipper was noticeably emotional before composing himself.

So as to avoid wasting your time, here are some aspects which stood out during tonight's ballgame:

• Jason Giambi looked cat-like in the field, snatching a screaming line drive with the infield in, and avoiding a tag on an important baserunning play in the seventh.

• Bobby Abreu smoked two balls into rightfield and obviously is planning to start a bit hotter than his dreary 2007 opening.

• Alex Rodriguez - 2 for 3 on the night - picked up where he left off gobbling up his first RBI opportunity in the first inning with an opposite field double.

• Joba Chamberlain is not yet in midseason form - as many last remember him in the Bronx - but he was still able to strike out two and post a zero before passing the baton to Mariano Rivera. Mo, did look like he was pitching in June, pitching a perfect inning and striking out one to earn the first save of 2008. Last season Mariano earned his first save of the season on April 28.

• Roy Halladay caught the short end of the stick after dominating the Yankees for the majority of the game. The "Doc" absolutely dominated through the first five innings, throwing less than 10 pitches per inning through those five frames.
  
  He was throwing his two-seam and four-seam fastballs on either side of the plate. His cutter or slider and spike curveball were also working. That meant Yankees hitters were digging in and had no clue what Halladay would throw next. He is truly a rare breed, the #1 starter in Major League Baseball. Unfortunately, his x-rated reaction to Leche's homerun is nowhere near top-notch.
  

Hughes Accounts For Velocity Loss

Phil Hughes held a chat today on his weblog and one of the questions he decided to answer asked about his mechanics before and after the hamstring injury. The question also pondered if Dave Eiland's involvement late in the season was instrumental in Hughes' fine performance down the stretch.

This was Phil's response:

After coming back from my injury last season my mechanics were a little out of whack. This led to a little loss of velocity and command. When Dave arrived in September we were able to work out some things and I think that had a lot to do with the success I had at the end of the season. It was nice to finish off the year on a good note so I have something to work toward to get back to my normal self in 2008.

There you have it. The Hughesian velocity-loss debunked. I did a piece on this topic back in September, calling on current Diamondbacks scout Carlos Gomez for the discussion.

On a related note, a Lohud reader relayed what he'd heard from a Mariano Rivera Q&A session hosted by insufferable bore Michael Kay. Here's what Rivera had to say about Hughes and a potential Johan Santana deal, according to Pete Abe:

Rivera is against the Johan Santana deal because he believes Melky Cabrera, Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy will develop into top-flight players.

Hank is getting mighty lonely on that front, isn't he?

Cashman: Three Penciled In For Pen

According to an Anthony McCarron of the Daily News, Brian Cashman intimated the Yankees currently have three definite bullpen pieces in Mariano Rivera, Kyle Farnsworth and LaTroy Hawkins. We're talking about The Sandman, a Farnsworthless and a sixth inning reliever.

From the article:

"The pen is a work in progress," Cashman said. "We'll have a lot of competition in spring training. As long as you have quality competing for those spots, that's good. We have guys with a lot of potential. If they're ready now or later, we'll have to see.

"For the most part, we like the talent we have against the market at the prices the market is demanding."

Cashman said prized prospects such as Jeff Marquez and Alan Horne might be in the bullpen mix, along with Ross Ohlendorf, Edwar Ramirez, Jose Veras, Steven White, Jeff Karstens, Brian Bruney, Chris Britton and Jonathan Albaladejo. Lefties Kei Igawa, Sean Henn and Chase Wright will vie for pen spots, Cashman said.

He forgot to include Mark Melancon, J. Brent Cox, Humberto Sanchez and most prominently, Kevin Whelan, who could be knocking on the major league door come May.

* The New York Post has another Cashman piece, reiterating his redundant but slick mantra:

Cashman Is Focused On Doing Job Not Keeping It.

Mo Will Accept 3-Year Deal

According to The Daily News and The New York Post, Mariano Rivera may accept the 3-year contract offer as soon as today - though the Post believes a Mo redux could wait until Turkey Day.

After returning from the Dominican Republic tonight, Mariano Rivera is going to huddle with his representatives tomorrow and according to several sources is expected to accept the Yankees' three-year, $45 million offer early next week.

As I said a few days ago, Hank Steinbrenner's unnecessary machismo would not go over well with a classy guy like Rivera. Lil' Stein should have kept his fat mouth shut, and The Post reports Mariano would agree:

The future Hall of Fame closer isn't happy about Hank Steinbrenner talking as much as he has about the contract offer that will make Rivera the highest paid closer by $4 million.

Once again, Hank, stop pretending you've been running this franchise for more than a month and reserve the wiseass comments for the Miguel Cairos of the world.

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Tycoon Helped A-Rod Diss Boras

Meanwhile, it turns out Alex Rodriguez took the advice of an unusual friend in ditching his agent, Scott Boras. This unlikely source of knowledge used his $52 billion net worth to convince A-Rod to do so.

The imminent A-Rod deal now involves the billionaire Steinbrenner family, the biggest agent in professional sports, two money men from Goldman Sachs, the second wealthiest man on the planet and the best player in major league baseball.

That's a lot of dough involved with one piece of paper.

(Source)

One "Mo" Signed, The Other Not Yet

According to Mark Feinsand, Jose Molina agreed to a two-year deal worth $4 million. The Yankees finally found a reliable, solid back up catcher via trade last summer. Now, they made the obvious move, bringing him back for the next few seasons.

Also contained in Feinsand's article is Mariano Rivera maintaining his desire for a four year contract.

Ok, Mo, we get it. For all the otherworldly accomplishments you've notched on an unmatched playoff belt, it's time to take the $15 million per season and sign on the dotted line. Everyone laughed when Billy Wagner got a more lucrative contract then The Sandman, but this deal will allow him to laugh back.

Let's go. We got a Houston lefthander to lure back into Yankeeland.

Lil' Stein Continues Talking Big

Hey Hank, will you shut your big fat mouth already?

You offered Mo a contract, now let the front office do its job.

As Burt Lancaster once said, "I don't relish shooting a mosquito with an elephant gun."

Maybe Hank should take some advice from J.J. Hunsecker.

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Yankees To Meet With A-Rod?

The Yankees would like to meet with Alex Rodriguez, and Hank Steinbrenner the newly appointed Yankees mouthpiece, seems intent on making him an offer he can't refuse.

There have been no reports of demonagent Scott Boras deciding to do anything other than opt-out of A-Rod's remaining contract and engage in a full scale assault on free agency. However, it still seems Boras realizes his client's contract drops tens of millions of dollars without the Yankees involved in the bidding.

And with Brian Cashman's recent sentiments of 'opt-out means we're out' being seconded by ownership, Boras may have a few hundred million reasons to take him seriously.

From ESPN.com:

The New York Yankees are trying to set up a meeting with Alex Rodriguez while they work on picking a manager.

Hank Steinbrenner, a son of owner George Steinbrenner, said Friday the club probably will meet soon with Rodriguez and agent Scott Boras.

"The fact of the matter is, obviously we want him to stay," Hank Steinbrenner said. "And I think he wants to stay."

In the mean time, things have changed with other potential Yankee free agents. No matter how hard the rest of baseball dreams about Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada turning their backs on the Yankees in an unprecedented display of loyalty toward Joe Torre, the money always talks - especially when the money is coming from an organization they've known their entire professional career.

On Monday, Rivera changed his tune entirely during an interview on satellite radio, saying he didn't need to know who the next manager would be before re-signing with the Yanks. How much money that deal adds up to may depend on the contract his decade-long battery mate receives first.

On Tuesday, The Daily News reported "The Yankees plan to do what they can to keep Posada from hitting the open market." Mark Feinsand stated that a source believes the Yankees will offer Jorge about $40 million.

In all likelihood, A-Rod's groundbreaking extension would follow suit, with an Andy Pettitte redux and Bobby Abreu return quickly coming thereafter.

Now if they could only knock over that first domino and give Joe Girardi the keys to the castle...

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Why the Yankees Lost

The Hardball Times explains Why the Yankees Lost in the ALDS. I don't know if everything HBT decrees to be indisputable is accurate, but it's hard not to agree with this specific criticism of Joe Torre's management:

In game one, he was too slow with the hook on Wang—it wasn’t a case of a guy getting unlucky that night, Wang was throwing bad pitches and getting properly punished for it. Torre should have lifted him after it was 4-1, brought in Hughes instead of Ohlendorf, and maybe given the team a chance. Instead, Ohlendorf turned a decent lead into a huge lead, and the game was over halfway through. Then Torre inexplicably brought Hughes in for mopup duty.

The article then goes on to criticize Torre for not pulling Joba Chamberlain during the 8th inning of game two. The author believes Mariano Rivera should have been inserted, and although a winning result was not guaranteed, it was the smart move. I think this is more hindsight is 20/20 than an obvious first-guess scenario.

Chamberlain dominated the first two batters he faced in the seventh, and although wild in the eighth, history would imply Joba capable of eventually recovering. The inexplicable presence of 1,000 swarming mosquitoes defecting from Lake Eerie's windy conditions also pokes a noticeable hole within the heart of the author's argument.

The perspective on Jorge Posada's future seems skewed as well:

Posada’s strikeout to end the season was possibly his [last] at-bat as a Yankee. After his spectacular regular season, Posada will be an attractive free agent to most teams, and the Yankees—despite not having any apparent replacement for him arriving any time soon—might be willing to let him leave. Posada might not be keen on returning anyway, with Joe Torre likely out the door.

After spending the entire regular season with a batting average hovering around the .335 mark, there's no doubt that Posada's postseason line of .133/.235/.200 is wretched. However, "not having any apparent replacement" provides all the reasoning New York needs in refusing to allow a Jorge adieu.

The idea that "Posada might not be keen on returning" is an exercise in futility when you consider that the birth, maturation and ultimate success of his career all came within the Yankees organization. His family grew accustomed to life in the Big Apple, and in turn, the city grew accustomed to chants of "Hip Hip Jorge!" As much as Posada admires Torre, when words like 35 million are preceded by a nice fat dollar sign, blind loyalty takes a back seat.

Prediction: Alex Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada will all be playing baseball in pinstripes come 2008. However, the man deciding on where they hit in the lineup or pitch in the rotation will be Don Mattingly.

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Postmortem: Part 2

Time to play who stays and who goes.

After three postseasons ending prematurely, it's time to discuss which players belong on a playoff roster and which do not.

Johnny Damon - proved against the Indians that he is still one of the few true leadoff hitters in the game today. Hits in the clutch, can slap balls past shortstops or plant one in the rightfield upper deck. Bright lights don't bother the Demon.

Andy Pettitte - Lefty quieted every critic during the regular season and then inspired every Yankees fan in the postseason. The perfect veteran to anchor a young rotation. Put his player option on the table and then employ Luca Brasi to make an offer Andy can't refuse...

Derek Jeter - the Captain GIDP'd at inopportune times, but that's lightning which won't strike twice.

Bobby Abreu - some discussion has emerged about rejecting his option in order to acquire a player like Aaron Rowand. His fence-fobia may be tough to watch at times, but his one year commitment and tendency to hit against Boston or in the playoffs makes him a marginal risk.

Alex Rodriguez - if he wants to be a Yankee, sign him up. If he wallows let him go.

Jorge Posada - absolutely indispensable piece of a New York championship puzzle. As far as replacements, the Yanks have no internal options even close to sniffing the bigs and there are even less on the 2008 free agent landscape. Cashman will overpay to secure the resurging backstop, but he'll have no other play here.

Chien-Ming Wang - impossible not to be disappointed and slightly worried by the horrendous effort he put forward in Game 1 and then Game 4, but the kid wins 19 games a season and is still making the transition from "thrower" to "pitcher."

Robinson Cano - after shining this past week, Robbie is emerging as a lethal weapon at the bottom of the order. So much so, that he will be rewarded with the #3 spot in the lineup, forcing Abreu into a #5 hitter.

Mariano Rivera - see Posada, Jorge

Luis Vizcaino - with the dearth of relief pitching becoming more and more problematic, the Viz is a necessary return, regardless of the horrid lone appearance he made in October.

Kyle Farnsworth - dispose of at all costs. His value is restricted to losing clubs like Pittsburgh or Kansas City.

Hideki Matsui - ensure that Godzilla isn't attempting to terrorize foreign cities on a bum wheel. If his physical decline continues, attempt to trade for less powerful but potent righthanded contact hitter.

Jason Giambi - see Farnsworth, Kyle

Doug Mientkiewicz - showed heart in coming back from multiple injuries and contributing in September. An annual logjam at firstbase is not something Cashman desires, however, and Andy Phillips deserves it more.

Shelley Duncan - on the field and off, he earned himself a spot on next year's 25 man roster. Proving himself to be more than just a freeswinging ogre, Duncan put together some outstanding postseason atbats and didn't dwarf under the pressure.

Wilson Betemit - at just 25 years old, he offers the Yankees flexibility for years to come. Now if he could only cut down on those whiffs...

Jose Molina - the backup catcher we've all been waiting for. The middle-child of the Molina trio, Jose's proven to be more than just a defensive upgrade and held his own with the bat.

Mike Mussina - at the time, the Moose had earned a two year extension. Since a 2006 season in which he tossed 200 innings, struck out 172 and posted an impressive 3.51 ERA, he has suddenly regressed into an aging replacement-level starter. If a national league team will bite, make a value for value deal. If not, allow the Moose to be a solid safety net for a rotation which would potentially house three starters under 23 years old.

Melky Cabrera - unless a Johan Santana deal becomes plausible and Aaron Rowand whets George's appetite, Leche will patrol centerfield in 2008 and beyond.

Joe Torre - The man has done nothing but win ballgames since donning the pinstripes. Unfortunately, the last seven years have seemed an eternity, highlighted by a monumental collapse and a string of early playoff exits. Sometimes a change is a necessary evil. But it only becomes possible if a viable replacement awaits in the wings.

Don Mattingly has been groomed for the position, working his way up the assistant coach depth chart, but he's still never managed a game. Joe Girardi's excellent in-game managing is reminiscent of Billy Martin, but like Martin, Girardi's flashed an ability to burn out his pitchers. Sending, then ace, Josh Johnson back into a game which had been halted by an 82 minute rain delay certainly contributed to the Cy Young hopeful's eventual Tommy John surgery. Nevermind that Johnson supposedly complained of forearm tightness earlier in the year. Applying that level of carelessness to franchise jewels like Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes would be cause for capital punishment in Yankeeland.

The baton goes to Mattingly, with Girardi a tight second. Somewhere on the periphery will remain Tony La Russa and sidekick Dave Duncan.

Fallout Begins

I'll believe it when I see it, but Mariano Rivera implied he would seriously test the free-agent market:

“They had the opportunities and they didn’t do nothing with me,” Rivera said, according to the Star-Ledger of Newark. “So we’ll see what happens. ... This is a business."

Then there's Jorge Posada who could draw a ton of interest from the Mets should he decide to play elsewhere:

"I'll talk about that later," Posada said, according to The New York Daily News. "We just lost a series. There's nothing to talk about, nothing to talk about Joe Torre, nothing to talk about right now."

Andy Pettitte has a player option for 2008, but barring an offseason injury, appears a probable member of next year's rotation:

"The biggest thing for me is just my family," he said, according to the Star-Ledger. "I have to get somewhere where I can talk to them about it and figure out what I'm going to do."

Last but not least, Alex Rodriguez:

"One of the reasons I came here was to help this team win a world championship," Rodriguez said Monday night. "I have failed at that."

Let the vigil begin. To be fair, Rivera tempered his comments by concluding "I would never hold anything against [the Yankees]."

Why Hoffman Will Never Be Rivera

After Saturday saw him blow his last save opportunity, forcing his team into a Wildcard tie and subsequent one-game playoff, Trevor Hoffman then blew a two-run lead in that play-in game. The devastating loss results in the San Diego Padres sitting at home during October as the Rockies dance around Coors Field.

If the playoffs were on the line, and Mariano Rivera were the on the mound with a two-run lead, you better believe the G.O.A.T. closes that ballgame. Bringing up Hoffman in the same conversation as Rivera has always been an aberration and now it's just a joke. The saves statistic has always been overrated as a true barometer of a closer's worth and Hoffman is the prime example.

Though he is consistently good, he never converts the "life or death" save opportunity. Scott Brosius in the '98 World Series comes to mind. Blowing a 2006 all-star game where NL home field advantage in the Series was at stake is another. Then there is Saturday and Monday's successive choke jobs, each of which would have meant San Diego playing postseason baseball.

1 Game Back

Boston's closer celebrates his latest chokejob.















The Yankees are one game behind Boston in the loss column.

Let me say that again. The Yankees are one back.

After being 14.5 games back at one point of the season, the Bombers have stormed all the way back, thanks to a sweep of the Baltimore Orioles and simultaneous sweep of the Red Sox. Special consideration goes out to Johnathon Papelblown, who promptly served up a 2-out grandslammer in the bottom of the eighth inning. The score went from a manageable 1-run deficit to a 6-1 shellacking.

Meanwhile, in the Bronx, Andy Pettitte pitched into the eighth inning, going 7.2 innings of 1-run ball, with Joba Chamberlain securing the final out of the inning by way of a slider strikeout. Mariano Rivera worked out of another bases-loaded jam by striking out Scott Moore to end the game and move the Yankees a step closer toward a divisional shocker.

Adding to the satisfaction of the Red Sox collapse was the 200th career victory for Pettitte, a first in organizational history, as no other Yankee farmland ever went on to notch 200 career wins.

Hideki Matsui hit his 25th homerun of the season. The solo shot was his 99th RBI and seems to have Godzilla poised toward a postseason hot-streak.

Gagne's Best Pitch Plunks Rivera

Visiting relievers better be careful while pacing the narrow stretch of real estate located behind the right-centerfield wall of Fenway Park. After last night, opposing teams may issue their closers a set of Medieval armor before allowing them to loosen, stretch or hoard sunflower seeds.

Apparently while warming up in the visiting bullpen, Mariano Rivera was plunked on the arm by an erratic throw from Eric Gagne, who was simultaneously warming up in the Boston bullpen. The pitch, probably the most valuable one he's thrown in a Red Sox uniform, hit Mo flush on the back of his pitching elbow, leaving the Yankee closer's arm numb and possibly contributing to his 9th inning struggles last night.

From George King of the NY Post:

Mariano Rivera pitched the ninth inning of last night's game moments after his right arm went numb when hit by an errant toss that came from the Red Sox bullpen that adjoins the Yankees' pen beyond Fenway Park's right-field fence.

As Rivera prepared to protect a two-run lead in the bottom of the eighth, he was struck in the back of the elbow by a ball thrown wildly by Eric Gagne.

"It came in hot," said Yankees reliever Ron Villone, who witnessed the scary moment. "He couldn't feel his arm; it was numb. We were in the bullpen saying, 'Oh no.' "

Whether or not that incident is to blame for Mo's lack of control last night is debatable. What is certain, is that a closer's focus should entail shutout pitching while on the mound, and not dodging grenades while warming up.

By far the most impressive pitch Gagne's thrown after August 1st. Maybe Terry Francona is getting even after Joba Chamberlain's 100mph chin-music forced Kevin Youkilis to don Pampers under his jock-strap whenever he digs in against New York. Then again, that would mean that Gag-ne once again missed his spot, plunking the wrong pitcher.

Captain, Rocket Propel Yanks

Through six swift innings, Roger Clemens and Curt Schilling shut down the explosive offenses of Boston and New York. Though Red Light worked deeper into the game by managing a more economical pitchcount, The Rocket struck out more batters, only allowing an unearned run to cross homeplate on two hits over six strong.

Once the eighth inning rolled around, the Yankees appeared energized by Joba Chamberlain's performance during a seventh inning in which the 21 year old flamethrower stranded Eric Hinske after his double led off the inning. After Doug Mientchiewicz singled to left, Joe Torre went to his bench, pinch-hitting Jason Giambi for Jose Molina and thereby forfeiting the DH spot. The move would prove to be wise as The Big G let loose with an opposite field ping-pong ball off the Green Monster.

With one out and the go-ahead run standing on third base, Johnny Damon failed to get the run home, spinning a weak loop in front of first base. The spotlight inevitably shone on the Captain, Derek Jeter, who improved on his .430+ batting average with two outs and RISP. After battling Schilling throughout the atbat, Jetes put a hanging splitter into orbit, securing a landing strip along the third row of Monster seats. The three-run jack broke the 1-1 tie, giving Joba and Mariano Rivera a three run cushion to work with.

Turns out the twosome would need every one of those runs. Although his two innings were again impressive, Joba allowed his first earned run via a Mike Lowell solo shot, making it a two-run game for Rivera. After Mo walked Jason Varitek to lead off the inning and Julio Lugo knocked him in on an RBI double, the Yankees closer struggled with his command.

After hitting rookie sensation Jacoby Ellsbury on the first pitch of the atbat and walking Dustin Pedroia, the bases would eventually be juiced for none other than The Big Sloppi. Fortunately for Mariano, his skipper had a golden nugget of advice during a pre-atbat mound conference: "If you get this guy out, then we win the game," Torre quibbed. Though he looked on the precipice of completely imploding, Rivera was somehow able to induce a harmless popfly from David Ortiz and Jeter squeezed the last out. The result of the routine flyout to shallow centerfield was a collective sigh of relief throughout metropolitan area living rooms, and the pictured fist-pump above.

Jeter on his ability to come through in the clutch with such regularity:

"You're not always going to come through, but I enjoy them," Jeter said. "Ever since you're a little kid, you think of being up in big situations. I think you always envision yourself coming through."

We may envision, but Jeter enforces.

• Unsung hero of the game award goes to Doug Mientchiewicz, who collected two hits and made three dazzling defensive plays in the field.