Throggs Neck News: Rape suspect sought

Throggs Neck News: Rape suspect sought: RAPE in Throggs Neck! By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 31 - A woman was raped at gunpoint near St. Raymond's Cemete...

Rape suspect sought

RAPE in Throggs Neck!

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 31- A woman was raped at gunpoint near St. Raymond's Cemetery

At around 5:30 a.m on July 20, the male suspect approached the 24-year-old woman at East Tremont Avenue and Meyers Street near St. Raymond's Cemetery and the Boston Market restaurant. Cops say the suspect pulled a gun on the woman and raped her.

Police released surveillance video of the suspect who was last seen wearing white scrubs and red 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.

Throggs Neck News: Bad Seed Robs Florist,

Throggs Neck News: Bad Seed Robs Florist,: Bad Seed Robs Florist, iPhone stickup at motel By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 17- Something stinks at a Throggs Neck f...

Throggs Neck News: Bad Seed Robs Florist,

Throggs Neck News: Bad Seed Robs Florist,: Bad Seed Robs Florist, iPhone stickup at motel By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 17- Something stinks at a Throggs Neck f...

Bad Seed Robs Florist,

Bad Seed Robs Florist,

iPhone stickup at motel

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 17- Something stinks at a Throggs Neck florist. Cops released surveillance video of a man, they say, robbed the local florist. 

At around  9 p.m. on July 9, cops say a man cut the front gate of Jerome Florist on East Tremont Avenue. The suspect entered the store, broke into the register and removed an undetermined amount of cash.

Investigators released surveillance video of the suspect who is described as a 25-year-old white male. He is six feet tall and weighs 200 pounds. 

In an unrelated case, police are asking for the public’s help to catch a suspect who robbed a motel guest at gunpoint.

At around 4:30 a.m. on July 13, the suspect slipped inside the Sheridan Hotel at 1440 Sheridan Expressway and approached a 22-year-old woman inside the hotel. The suspect pulled out a black revolver and demanded cash and belongings. Cops say the gunman made off with $900 and an iPhone. 

The gunman is described as a 30-year-old black male. He is 6 foot 3 and weighs 220 pounds. He has brown eyes and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a red baseball cap, black sneakers, black sweatshirt and dark blue jeans.

Anyone with information on either case is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls are confidential.

Throggs Neck News: Jobs wanted

Throggs Neck News: Jobs wanted: Jobs wanted --Photo by David Greene Hundreds of Bronxites turned out for the second annual Bronx Jobs Fair held at DeWitt Clinton H...

Jobs wanted

Jobs wanted

--Photo by David Greene

Hundreds of Bronxites turned out for the second annual Bronx Jobs Fair held at DeWitt Clinton High School, located at 100 West Mosholu Parkway South. Sponsored by Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj and Senator Jeff Klein, the event was held on July 10. Job-seekers were able to sit down with many of the representatives of fifty-three local companies and businesses represented, including the NYPD, the New York Daily News and the Bronx Zoo. Organizers hope to exceed the 2,000 job-seeker's who attended a similar jobs fair held last October.

Throggs Neck News: Did Groper Strike Near Truman HS?

Throggs Neck News: Did Groper Strike Near Truman HS?: Did Groper Strike Near Truman HS? Two Victims Reported in Co-Op City By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 17- Police are hunt...

Did Groper Strike Near Truman HS?

Did Groper Strike Near Truman HS?

Two Victims Reported in Co-Op City

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 17- Police are hunting a serial groper wanted in 9 recent attacks on girls, teens and young women-- an individual who may have now struck twice in Co-op City.

The still-unidentified suspect had been wanted for nine attacks in the Wakefield, Edenwald, Williamsbridge and Eastchester neighborhoods since February.

The 47th Precinct, which serves those neighborhoods, received 50 additional officers on July 7, due to a recent uptick in violent crime, which may explain the suspect moving to the Co-op City area that is covered by the 45th Precinct.

In the latest incidents reported on Thursday, July 10, a 14 year-old and an 18-year old reported being attacked as they walked over the I-95 overpass along Eastchester Road.

Police were still investigating the latest incidents to determine if it is the same suspect or a copycat.

Outside of Harry S. Truman High School, most students had not heard about the attacker.

One female student recalled, "We were talking to this man yesterday and he was asking for my friend's number," a second girl added, "And we told him were only 15 years-old, but he kept following us and talking to us."

The girls stated that the "buff" brown-skinned man said he had just got back from serving with the U.S. Army.

Waiting for students outside of Truman, a driver with the Consolidated Bus Transport Service suggested, "They should put signs on the busses to alert people of this guy."

On June 24, the NYPD released a wanted flyer with a police composite sketch of the individual wanted for nine separate incidents of forcible touching of females between the ages of 12 and 21.

The first incident was reported on February 13, at 7:50 a.m., when a 14-year-old female was attacked on her way to the subway along Eastchester Road.

On February 15, a second attack was reported by another 14-year-old girl who was violated by the creep as she walked passed the intersection of Burke Avenue and Eastchester Road at 9:30 a.m.

The pervert waited more than a month when he struck again, this time he inappropriately touched a 13 year-old as she walked along Magenta Street at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, March 28.

A fourth incident was reported on Monday, April 28, when he grabbed a 13 year-old from behind as she walked near Baychester Avenue at 8 a.m.

Again waiting more than a month, he struck again on Thursday, May 29, when the suspect jogged up to an 18 year-old victim and forcibly touched her in the area of Burke Avenue.

The suspect struck again the following day when he approached and attacked a 12 year-old victim in the area of East 233 Street.

On Monday, June 9, a 16 year-old reported she was attacked at 6:55 a.m., along Boston Road.

On Wednesday, June 11, at 8:15 a.m. a 21-year-old woman reported a forcible touching attack as she walked along Fish Avenue. Fifteen minutes later a 12 year-old reported a similar incident as she walked along Schieffelin Avenue.

Although traumatized, none of the victims were physically injured.

Police describe the suspect as 20 year-old black male, 5 foot 10, thin build and was last seen wearing a black hooded jacket, blue jeans and black sneakers. Investigators say the suspect also has a scar under his right eye.

A similar crime pattern was reported in the area of the most recent attacks, along the Eastchester Road footbridge leading to Co-Op City between September, 2010 and June, 2011.

In that string of groping incidents three, 19-year-old females were attacked by a black man between 22 and 28 years-old, 5 foot 6 tall and weighing 160 to 180 Pounds. Police could not immediately say if this suspect was ever apprehended.

The attacks have prompted a local citizens group called the New York Hero Imitative to patrol the affected neighborhoods in searching for the suspect and passing out flyers to residents.

One group member, "Spectre" said the group was encouraged by the communities reaction to their presence and added, "We're going to re-visit a few areas where we had some promising leads on this case."

One source at the local community board stated that the local community was informed of the attacks in mid-May, after a fourth attack was reported.

One police official questioned could not explain the delay in alerting the public to the pattern-crime.

The source added that detectives and police are in the process of going back to all nine locations in a search for surveillance video of the suspect.

Anyone with any information on the suspect is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls remain confidential.

Throggs Neck News: $10G Reward for Pizza Shop Killer

Throggs Neck News: $10G Reward for Pizza Shop Killer: $10G Reward for Pizza Shop Killer BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 16- The FBI is now offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leadi...

$10G Reward for Pizza Shop Killer

$10G Reward for Pizza Shop Killer

BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 16- The FBI is now offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of Antoine D. Burroughs.

Burroughs, aka Butter or Youngblood, is 25 years old, is 6 foot 1, weighs approximately 180 to 190 pounds, and has a prominent mole on his right cheek. He was last known to be in Harlem, and he is believed to have family and friends in Harlem and the Bronx.

According to the allegations in the superseding indictment unsealed on March 18, 2014, in Manhattan federal court and on other documents in the public record: On September 9, 2009, Burroughs and his accomplice, Leon Whitfield, attempted to rob an individual named Bartolomeo Antoniello at his home in Queens, New York. Burroughs and Whitfield were targeting the cash proceeds of Antoniello’s pizza shop. Antoniello’s son, Gerardo Antoniello, was home at the time and attempted to protect his father. During the struggle, Gerardo Antoniello was shot in the head and later died of his injuries. He was 29 years old.

Burroughs is charged with one count of robbery conspiracy and one count of attempted robbery; one count of discharging a firearm; and one count of murder. Whitfield was arrested on March 18, 2014, by FBI agents.

“The public can play an important role in capturing fugitives by alerting law enforcement if they have information. If you have a tip, pick up the phone and call us,” said FBI spokesman Christos Sinos. “Your help can really make a difference.”

Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Burroughs is urged to contact law enforcement immediately. The FBI can be reached 24 hours a day at (212) 384-1000. Burroughs should be considered armed and extremely dangerous.

Throggs Neck News: Bring Back #Stop-n-Frisk?

Throggs Neck News: Bring Back #Stop-n-Frisk?: Bring Back #Stop-n-Frisk? Activist Blames Mayor for Shootings By Michael Horowitz BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 14-  Civic activist Frank...

Bring Back #Stop-n-Frisk?

Bring Back #Stop-n-Frisk?

Activist Blames Mayor for Shootings

By Michael Horowitz

BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 14- Civic activist Frank Belcher said Mayor de Blasio’s decision to overturn the city’s stop-and-frisk policy has triggered a recent spike in shooting in various parts of the city.

Belcher, a vocal supporter of Mayor Bloomberg’s aggressive approaches to fighting crime, stressed, this week, that de Blasio, through his words and deeds, has fostered an atmosphere of permissiveness among those who might be considering breaking the law.

“If we’re not careful, we’re going to see shootings in the city like they now have in the city of Chicago,” Belcher stressed. “As a society, we have to be far more concerned about victims of crime than about the rights of those who commit crimes. In short, we have to stop coddling the criminals.”

Belcher added, “The city needs to re-institute Mayor Bloomberg’s stop-and-frisk policy. The city had a much better handle in the fight against crime when Bloomberg was our mayor.”

The civic activist stressed, “Mayor Bloomberg, unlike his successor, understood that you can’t coddle criminals. He understood that aggressive action was needed to prevent the criminals from getting the upper hand over law-abiding citizens.”

Belcher’s comments in support of Bloomberg’s stop-and-frisk policy were similar to those expressed, this week, by State Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr.

Diaz said that the city needs to re-institute the stop-and frisk policy to stem the recent tide of violence that has victimized New Yorkers, especially those in minority communities.

Throggs Neck News: She’s Getting Ready to Sing for Yanks

Throggs Neck News: She’s Getting Ready to Sing for Yanks: She’s Getting Ready to Sing for Yanks Tanaka on DL, CC Out Spells Trouble for Playoff Hopes Masahiro Tanaka to be on Disabled L...

She’s Getting Ready to Sing for Yanks

She’s Getting Ready to Sing for Yanks

Tanaka on DL, CC Out Spells Trouble for Playoff Hopes

Masahiro Tanaka to be on Disabled List for a Minimum of Six Weeks

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 11- Less than a week before the All-Star Game was to be played, the Yankees received their worst news of the 2014 season. It was announced that Yankee ace Masahiro Tanaka would be out of action for at least six weeks with a partial tear in his ulner collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow.

The first indication occurred last Tuesday when the rookie complained of soreness after being removed from his start after 6.2 innings. He was then placed on the 15 day DL. 

The problem was diagnosed after Tanaka underwent an MRI and flew to Seattle to confer with the Yankees physician, Dr. Christopher Ahmed, and other doctors. It was determined that the tear was small and Tanaka would undergo a six-week period of rehabilitation. He is to have a platelet-rich plasma injection next week. No surgery was proposed. 

If the rehab is not successful, he will likely have to have Tommy John surgery, which will put him out of action until the 2016 season.

The loss was huge as Tanaka joined three of the starters of the season beginning, C.C. Sabathia, Ivan Nova and Michael Pineda, on the disabled list. Only Hiroki Kuroda, 39, currently remains in the starting rotation. 

The importance of the loss of the rookie from Japan can easily be determined by his place in the individual pitching rankings in the American League this season. He ranks first in wins (12), and complete games (3), second in ERA (2.27) and fewest walks per 9 innings (1.3), fifth in winning percentage (.800) and innings pitched (122.2) and sixth in strikeouts (130) and opponents’ batting average against (.224). 

The amazing newcomer to MLB was a favorite to win the as the American League Rookie-of-the-Year Award and the Cy Young Award. He was also a rare rookie pitcher being seriously considered to be the American League starting pitcher in the All-Star Game. 

The two men, Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman, who have the prime responsibility for the success of the Yankees this year commented upon the loss of Tanaka. Yankee skipper Girardi tried, as always, to be optimistic, “We’ll keep our fingers crossed. It is what it is. It’ll be at least six weeks. I’m optimistic we’ll have him back.” When asked about how the rotation will now be devised, he responded, “We’ll figure it out.”

General Manager Brian Cashman spoke of his efforts to obtain a starting pitcher through a trade, “We’ve been aggressive because now we’ve got four starters that we were planning to use out. We are in a division fight, and we want to stay in the fight.”

Throggs Neck News: Serial Groper Strikes Throughout #Bronx

Throggs Neck News: Serial Groper Strikes Throughout #Bronx: Serial Groper Strikes Throughout #Bronx Groper Wanted in Nine Attacks Since February By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, J...

Serial Groper Strikes Throughout #Bronx

Serial Groper Strikes Throughout #Bronx

Groper Wanted in Nine Attacks Since February

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 9- Police are hunting a serial grouper wanted in nine recent attacks on girls, teens and young women in the Wakefield, Edenwald, Williamsbridge and Eastchester neighborhoods.

On June 24, the NYPD released a flyer with a police composite sketch of the individual wanted for nine separate incidents of forcible touching of females between the ages of 12 and 21.

The first incident was reported on February 13, at 7:50 a.m., when a 14-year-old female was attacked on her way to the subway along Eastchester Road.

On Saturday, February 15 a second attack was reported by another 14-year-old girl who was violated by the creep as she walked passed the intersection of Burke Avenue and Eastchester Road at 9:30 a.m.

The pervert waited more then a month when he struck again. This time he inappropriately touched a 13 year-old as she walked along Magenta Street at 7:30 a.m. on March 28.

A fourth incident was reported on April 28, when he grabbed a 13 year-old from behind as she walked near Baychester Avenue at 8 a.m.

Again waiting more than a month, he struck again on May 29, when the suspect jogged up to an 18-year-old victim and forcibly touched her in the area of Burke Avenue.

The suspect struck again the following day when he approached and attacked a 12 year-old victim in the area of East 233 Street.

On June 9, a 16 year-old reported she was attacked a 6:55 a.m., along Boston Road.

In his last two attacks, reported on June 11, at 8:15 a.m. a 21-year-old woman reported a forcible touching attack as she walked along Fish Avenue. Fifteen minutes later a 12 year-old reported a similar incident as she walked along Schieffelin Avenue.

Although traumatized, none of the victims were physically injured.

Police describe the suspect as 20 year-old black male, 5 foot 10, thin build and was last seen wearing a black hooded jacket, blue jeans and black sneakers. Investigators say the suspect also has a scar under his right eye.

The attacks have prompted a local citizens group called the New York Hero Imitative to patrol the effected neighborhoods in searching for the suspect and passing out flyers to residents.

One group member, "Spectre" said the group was encouraged by the community's reaction to their presence and added, "We're going to re-visit a few areas where we had some promising leads on this case."

One source at the local community board stated that the local community was informed of the attacks in mid-May. One police official questioned could not explain the delay in alerting the public to the pattern-crime.

The source says detectives and police are in the process of going back to all nine locations and are searching for surveillance video of the suspect.

Meanwhile, 50 additional cops start hitting the street's today (July 7) at the 47th Precinct. The manpower will attempt to combat the recent uptick in violent crime in the area.

Anyone with any information on the suspect is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls remain confidential.

Throggs Neck News: #Toys R Us

Throggs Neck News: #Toys R Us: ID Thieves Rip Off Toy Store By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 7- Cops are asking for the public’s help in trying to track down a...

#Toys R Us

ID Thieves Rip Off Toy Store

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 7- Cops are asking for the public’s help in trying to track down a couple who made off with a dirt bike from a local Toys R Us.

At around 1:30 p.m. on June 21, cops say the couple used a stolen credit card to purchase a MX500 Dirt Rocket bike from Toys R Us in the Bruckner Mall. The item is priced at $449.99 according to the company’s website. 

The store’s surveillance cameras captured the couple wheeling the item out the front door of the toy store.

The suspect is described as a black male, medium build, with facial hair. He was last seen wearing sunglasses and a white t-shirt. His accomplice is described as a black woman with long hair, medium build. She was last seen wearing sunglasses, a multicolored shirt and pants, a black jacket, black sandals, and carrying a brown purse. 

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 strictly confidential.

Season Slipping Away for #Yankees?

Season Slipping Away for #Yankees?

Yanks Drop Fifth Straight

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 3- Unless the fortunes of the New York Yankees improve rapidly, the team’s brass will be under increasing pressure to make serious roster changes through the trade route prior to July 31.

The 6-3 loss to the Rays in Thursday’s matinee, the final game of the most recent homestand, was the team’s season-high fifth straight. The last such debacle occurred in June of 2013. It was also the fifth consecutive home defeat of the Yankees, a Bronx losing streak that last took place in May 2011. The 2014 record of the Yanks dropped to 41-42, their first time below .500 since April 11, when their record was 5-6.

The Rays came back from single run deficits three times to knot the score before scoring two in the top of the fifth to assume their first lead of the contest, which they maintained.

The winning blow, a two-run homer, was delivered by Sean Rodriguez in his first game at short since July 11, 2013. The awesome blast went more than 440 feet, Rays manager Joe Maddon commented, “How about Sean’s homer? That could have been out of the old stadium.” 

Rodriguez explained the home run was not his goal, “I was just trying to hit it hard. I just wanted to find a way to contribute to help us win.”

Although Rodriguez is only batting .215, 15 of his 26 hits have been for extra bases, a percentage second in the majors. He remarked with a degree of surprise, “It [power hitting] has become a bigger part of my game than people thought despite my record in the minors

Pitching was again part of the Tampa victory. Rookie Jake Odorizzi, the Tampa starter went 5.2 innings, yielding three runs, eight hits and one walk. Two of the hits were solo home runs, Brett Gardner in the first and Brian McCann in the third.

The winning pitcher fanned only four Yankees, but said, “I have the ability to throw strikes.” This was no understatement as Odorizzi’s mark for strikeouts per nine innings (10.56) is currently the fourth highest in major league history for a rookie pitcher.

The Tampa bullpen kept the Yankees scoreless with only two hits in 3.1 innings. After the game ther Tampa skipper stated, “They [relievers] all looked really good. [They’re] getting their confidence.”

The Rays, at the half-way point of the 2014 season, are moving in the opposite direction of the Yankees. Their win was a season-high fifth straight. The surging Rays have now won seven of their last eight games.

Manager Maddon explained, “We’re getting a different bus driver on a daily basis, that’s what we’re built for.” To continue winning in the future, he said, “We’ve been waiting for things to happen. We have to make things happen.”

The winning pitcher explained their recent success thusly, “Our pitching, our hitting, and our defense are all coming together at the same time.”

 

 

Throggs Neck News: Get Out of Jail Free Card for Sea Crook?

Throggs Neck News: Get Out of Jail Free Card for Sea Crook?: Get Out of Jail Free Card for Sea Crook?  Disgraced Council #Seabrook may get out of Jail early By Michael Horowitz BRONX, NE...

Get Out of Jail Free Card for Sea Crook?

Get Out of Jail Free Card for Sea Crook?

 Disgraced Council #Seabrook may get out of Jail early

By Michael Horowitz

BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 2- Former City Councilman Larry Seabrook, who is in the midst of serving a five-year jail sentence, could be a free man much sooner than most of his former constituents thought he would.

That’s because the U. S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals has sent the former Councilman’s case back to Manhattan Federal Court over what many lay people would view as a legal technicality.

The appeals court, after a review of the facts in the case, has the power to order a third trial of the former Bronx lawmaker.

The judges in the Court of Appeals have sent the case back to the Manhattan Federal Court in response to the former lawmaker’s claim that he was denied his right to a public trial because three of his supporters were excluded from the courtroom during the jury selection.

The appeals court found that Seabrook’s appeal had merit based on the law. However, the court determined that it needed additional information on the exact circumstances relating to the jury selection before rendering a judgment on the former lawmaker’s appeal.

In his appeal of his July 2012 conviction on corruption charges, Seabrook charged that his brother, Oliver Seabrook; a friend, Carl Green, and a former constituent, Stuart Edwards, were instructed by the judge’s deputy to leave their seats to make them available for jurors.

Seabrook, in his appeal, also claimed that the media were excluded from the jury selection in his case.

"Excluding the public and the media was an error … and the integrity and public reputation of the proceedings were adversely affected by the `secret’ jury selection in this high-profile case,” Seabrook claimed, in his appeal of his July conviction on corruption charges.

Prosecutors, expressing another view, have said that the individuals who were told to give up their seats were not told to leave the courtroom.

The judge in the Seabrook case, Deborah Batts, was responsible for the vacating of a separate conviction in 2012 on grounds that are similar to those in the former lawmaker’s case.

In July 2012, a federal jury found Seabrook guilty of misdirecting hundreds of thousands of dollars for community projects to his girlfriend and relatives.

An earlier trial of Seabrook, in December 2011, resulted in a hung jury, when those on the panel couldn’t agree on whether or not the former Councilman was guilty or innocent.

Throggs Neck News: Fans Boo Flat #Yankees

Throggs Neck News: Fans Boo Flat #Yankees: Fans Boo Flat Yanks Yankees at the mediocre .500 mark By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 2- The night before, Tampa Bay pitc...

Fans Boo Flat #Yankees

Fans Boo Flat Yanks

Yankees at the mediocre .500 mark

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 2- The night before, Tampa Bay pitcher Chris Archer put the New York Yankees a game closer to the mediocre .500 mark. David Price, rumored to be on the trade market, was on the mound Tuesday night in the Bronx for the Rays. He helped make it official, because the Yankees at the halfway point are 41-41 after a 2-1 loss, and second straight to the resurgent Rays.

The anemic hitting of the Yankees continued. Four hits and only one that went for an extra base says a lot, though Price was a primary reason why the Yankees failed once again to spark a rally. The left-hander, (7-7) through seven innings held the Yankees. He gave up one run and struck out nine.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi can’t find the answer, though he knows a veteran lineup has the capability to be more aggressive at the plate. “These guys have proven track records,”

he said without mentioning names. “These guys have to get it done. They have to grind it out. It’s not just a couple of guys going… it’s a number of guys.”

Struggling, that describes the Yankees who have matched a season high four-game losing streak and losing eight of their last 10 games.

Last year, it was the injuries that reduced the hits and run production. But a spending spree in the off-season and bringing in some power hitters supposedly was to be the answer. At the halfway point, more so in the month of June, the Yankees were near the bottom in the American League from an offensive standpoint.

That does not stand well with a fan base. They could be heard booing the Yankees in the ninth inning, their last at bat attempt to come from behind. Price was dominant, and the Ray’s bullpen finished the job with two scoreless innings and did not allow a hit.

“I don’t know,” Girardi said when asked again about the struggle to get hits and produce runs. “I don’t think you forget to hit in a year.” He was obviously referring to Carlos Beltran and Brian McCann, two of the high priced players on a team with a $200 million payroll who had productive years in the National league last year with the Cardinals and Braves.

The only high priced acquisition that has been respectable, but not incredible, has been Jacoby Ellsbury.

Archer, who has success against the Yankees, was dominant Monday night. And Price, who is on the radar of many teams as the trading deadline looms, was just as dominant. Good pitching will stop good hitting, but the Yankees have not been able to come up with the big hit indicated by a team hitting .249 with runners in scoring position.

Price almost reached 10-strikeouts for a sixth straight start. Had he accomplished that, he would have joined Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson and Nolan Ryan as an elite group to achieve that accomplishment, and he has been one of the reasons why Tampa Bay is 13-7 since June 11th.

“That would have been cool,” Price commented. It was his 23rd career start against the Yankees and he has never reached double digits against them. The Yankees could use another reliable starter but Price may not be going nowhere the way he has been pounding the strike zone.  

Pitching has not been the Yankees issue. They may get CC Sabathia back from the disabled list a few weeks after the all-star break. Hiroki Kuroda pitched eight good innings and he became the second pitcher to go eight or more this season, next to Masahiro Tanaka. James Loney hit his fifth home run in the sixth inning that was the decisive run.

The Yankees only highlight at the plate were the two hits from Derek Jeter, a leadoff double in the fourth inning, their first hit off Price. And for Jeter it was another milestone, his 534th career double tying him with Lou Gehrig for first place on the Yankees’ all-time doubles list.

“The guys we have- have to get it done. That’s the bottom line," Girardi said. And the Yankees better get it done soon, because at the halfway point it does not look promising for a happy summer ahead in the Bronx.    

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com  Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso www.newyorksportsexaminer.com

#Yanks lose

Rays Have Their Way with Yankees

Archer did not get the decision but handled Yankees again

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 1- Again at Yankee Stadium Monday night Chris Archer of the Tampa Bay Rays had his way with a team that can’t figure him out. The Yankees knew what they were up against when Archer got on the mound. His last start in the Bronx was July 27 of last season, a 2-0 shutout. Though he did not figure in the decision of the Rays 4-3 win 12-innings, a win for his team was more important.

Archer is a catalyst towards getting Tampa Bay back into contention. The first half is over, and the Rays are sitting last in the AL east with the second worst record in baseball. They need him, and David Price, if he is not traded, to get some wins for a second half run.

And when he is on the mound against the Yankees, Archer seems to almost make it appear it is a guarantee win. He was 4-0 coming into the game against New York, and left with a 3-2 lead but did not figure in the decision. Regardless a 1.51 ERA in five career starts against the Yankees is impressive.

“I don’t know what it is,” he said about pitching in the Bronx and the Yankees. Archer pitched seven innings and was that close to another win. But the Yankees’ Brian Roberts tied the game with one-out in the ninth inning.

Had he won, Archer would have been the first pitcher to go 5-0 starting a career against the Yankees. The last one to do that was Hall of Famer Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators, from 1907-08, when the Yankees were known as the Highlanders.

Archer smiled when he was told that he would have been in great company.

 “I just have success against this team and it’s cool because it’s a little different team from last year,” said Archer. “When I have good catcher and good defense behind me it lifts our spirits. We’ve been playing really well as of late.”

It was that type of game for the Yankees, again failing to get the runners home and capitalizing on that home run by Roberts to right field. They lost for the seventh time in nine games but only trail first place Toronto by 2-1/2 games in a mediocre division. 

Mediocre enough that if the Rays go on any type of winning streak they could make a run in the second half, as they have won eight of their last 12-games. 

 Archer knows that significance of not getting a win on his record. A win for the team is more important. The Rays are looking to narrow their 9-1/2 game deficit in the division.

 It may look impossible, but mediocrity and good pitching can make it interesting by September.

“He is still learning for a young pitcher and getting better,” Rays’ manager Joe Maddon commented about his starter. “My theory, to win a road game in extra innings is good for nay teams moral.”

Said Archer, “We can come out and win a game like that is special for us. Knowing we can accomplish that it’s special for us. We are not looking at the standings. We know what team we are.”

On the contrary, the Yankees may still be trying to find out who they are. Because two key off-season acquisitions, Carlos Beltran and Brian McCann, part of a $450 million spending spree, continue to disappoint and are not driving in runs. They went a combined 2-for-10, in the four hour and thirty-five minute marathon.  

"I think every team in this division probably feels that they are somewhat fortunate to be where they are with the records that have," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "Being 41-40, you wouldn't necessarily think you would be right in the thick of it."

One thing is certain. The Yankees won’t face Archer again in this three-game series as they get David Price Tuesday night. 

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