Throggs Neck News: #CC Sabathia Gets Roughed Up

Throggs Neck News: #CC Sabathia Gets Roughed Up: #CC Sabathia Gets Roughed Up Sabathia Beats Up on Himself By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 5- The inability of the New Yor...

#CC Sabathia Gets Roughed Up

#CC Sabathia Gets Roughed Up

Sabathia Beats Up on Himself

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 5- The inability of the New York Yankees’ starting pitchers to win games has become a serious issue for the club. During the first 17 days of the 2014 campaign, April 1-17, Yankee starters recorded 10 wins, but in the next 17 days, April 18-May 4, Yankee starting pitchers only have three wins. 

Their inability to go deep into games has also put undue pressure upon its overworked bullpen. After Sunday’s game, Yankee skipper Joe Girardi stated this clearly, “We have to start getting length out of our starters.”

This was certainly something that did not happen in Sunday’s game. CC Sabathia, the ace of the Yankee staff since signing with the franchise on December 18, 2008, was especially disappointing. The 3.2 innings he pitched was his shortest outing since October 2, 2009, which was also against Tampa Bay. 

The lefty has been extremely effective at Yankee Stadium, compiling a record of 43-19. His only shorter start at the ballpark in the Bronx took place in his rookie season, on June 27, 2001. As a member of the Cleveland Indians, he yielded six runs in one inning to the Yankees.

The onslaught against Sabathia on Sunday began in the first frame. Logan Forsythe led off the contest with a double to right, and was driven in by an Evan Longoria double two batters later. Longoria leads all visiting players with 37 runs batted in at the new Yankee Stadium.

With one out in the third, Desmond Jennings doubled. Longoria followed by drawing a walk. The next batter, Will Myers, blasted a ball over the head of centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury and sprinted around the bases for a rare standing inside-the-park home run to score three. The last player on the Rays to hit an inside-the-park homer was Ben Zobrist on September 25, 2011.

Myers’ double in the following inning drove in his fourth run in the contest and led to Sabathia’s removal from the game. The two hits extended Myers’ hitting streak at Yankee Stadium to the first 13 games he played at the iconic venue. a new record for a rookie at either park named Yankee Stadium.

The 33 year-old pitcher yielded five runs and 10 hits in his short stint. Girardi was uncharacteristically blunt in describing Sabathia’s performance, “Today, he really struggled. It was probably his hardest start this year. I didn’t think he had his good slider, his good change-up. He just didn’t have his good stuff.”

Sabathia a former Cy Young Award recipient, was unhappy with his performance on the mound, “It’s frustrating to go out and not give us a good opportunity to win.”

He was in no way critical of fans who booed him, “I would have booed myself today. I wouldn’t want to come to the ballpark and see that.”

Sabathia explained his attitude this season with that of last year when he was very negative towards his performances. He expressed in several statements, after the game, his belief that he will improve, “I’ve gotten these guys out. I know I can do it again. I can’t let a little adversity throw what I’ve done out the window. I feel that I can turn this thing around. I’ll come out of this thing and be the guy we need.”

A very positive pitching sign was the appearance of Alfredo Aceves for the first time this season. He pitched 5.1 innings in relief of Sabathia, yielding only three hits and blanking the Rays. Despite his effectiveness on Sunday, Girardi does not, at this time, desire to insert him into the starting rotation. 

The next game at Yankee Stadium, Monday, May 12, will be the first game of this year’s Subway Series between the Yanks and Mets.

Throggs Neck News: #Tanaka Remains Unbeaten

Throggs Neck News: #Tanaka Remains Unbeaten: #Tanaka Remains Unbeaten By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 4-  On Saturday afternoon, the Yankees ended a three-game losing streak...

Throggs Neck News: #Tanaka Remains Unbeaten

Throggs Neck News: #Tanaka Remains Unbeaten: #Tanaka Remains Unbeaten By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 4-  On Saturday afternoon, the Yankees ended a three-game losing streak...

#Tanaka Remains Unbeaten

#Tanaka Remains Unbeaten

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 4- On Saturday afternoon, the Yankees ended a three-game losing streak with a 6-3 victory over the Tampa Rays. The outcome also terminated the three-game winning streak for the Rays.

Masahiro Tanaka, the starting pitcher for the Yanks, remained undefeated after his sixth start in the majors. His credit for the win raised his win/loss mark to 4-0 this season. During his stint on Saturday, the 25 year-old yielded eight hits and three runs. He did not issue a walk for the third of his six starting assignments. 

The five batters he fanned raised his total of strikeouts this season to 51, the fifth highest in the major leagues since 1900, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

The win credited to Tanaka extends his two continent (Japan and North America) win streak to 32 regular season decisions. The last contest he lost occurred on August 9, 2012, when he pitched for the Rakuten Golden Eagles. 

On Saturday afternoon, Tanaka was not blessed with his best stuff. Both he and Yankee skipper Joe Girardi discussed the problem. Girardi commented, “I didn’t think his command with his fastball was too good at first [and] that got him into trouble.”

The young hurler admitted he had problems, “All my pitches weren’t there today. They weren’t crisp.”

As has happened on several occasions this year, Tanaka was touched for runs early in the game. Desmond Phillips, the second batter he faced, homered to right to put Tampa on the board in the first.

Three base hits led to a second Tampa run in the second.

The third and final run for the Rays was scored on a lead-off home run by Will Myers in the fourth. Myers loves the new Yankee Stadium as he has hit successfully in all 12 games he has played in the Bronx ballpark. He thus raised the mark for consecutive games hitting safely at the start of a career in either Yankee Stadium.

After the home run, Tanaka only surrendered two singles in his final four innings on the mound. This was noted by those most involved in the accomplishment. 

Yankee catcher Brian McCann remarked, “After the third inning, he settled down. It’s hard to believe he’s 25; he has such poise on the mound.”

His manager added to the words of praise, “He’s good at making adjustments. [With Tanaka], you’re going to get a guy who competes, who gives you distance and who keeps you in the game.”

Tanaka responded to questions about his early game difficulties, “I really don’t know why the slow starts. I wish I could be better. I’m glad I was able to battle my way back through the game.”

Interesting batting stats-Mark Teixeira’s first pitch home run in the fourth was his fourth in the last five games and his fifth in his last eight. The three hits by James Loney, first sacker for the Rays, upped his average in 23 games against the Yanks since signing with Rays before last season to .410. Ichiro Suzuki has hit safely in 9 of his 11 starts. His two doubles on Saturday moved his batting average to a team high .375. Three hits by Jacoby Ellsbury gave him a batting average of .346.

Starting the final game of the three game series on Sunday afternoon will be CC Sabathia for the Yanks and Erik Bedard for the Rays. 

Throggs Neck News: Park Shooter Found Guilty

Throggs Neck News: Park Shooter Found Guilty: Park Shooter Found Guilty Young Gunman Convicted in Double Homicide BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 2-  District Attorney Robert T. Johnson anno...

Park Shooter Found Guilty

Park Shooter Found Guilty

Young Gunman Convicted in Double Homicide

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 2- District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced the jury finding of guilty in a triple-shooting, double-homicide case that took place in the vicinity of Devoe Park, University Avenue and Fordham Road, on April 7, 2011.

After a five-week trial in Bronx Supreme Court, the jury found Yenfri Ramirez, age 16 at the time of the crime, guilty of murder in the second degree, manslaughter in the first degree, assault in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.

The shooting took place in Devoe Park, following a fight that involved Ramirez’ brother. A number of individuals began pursuing Ramirez through the park, and when they got to the corner of Fordham Road and West University Place, Ramirez pulled out a gun and fired three shots, fatally shooting Edwin Liz, age 17, in the back of the neck, and fatally wounding Allan Matos, age 22, in the back. A third gunshot hit Efren Estrada, age 39, in the leg. He survived his wounds.

An eyewitness at the scene identified the defendant at a lineup the next day, and a police officer also witnessed the killings. 

Sentencing is scheduled for May 15, 2014 before Justice Barbara Newman in Part T 24. Murder in the second degree carries a prison term up to 25 years to life.  Manslaughter in the first degree carries a maximum of 25 years. Assault in the second degree carries a prison term up to 7 years. The weapons charge carries a prison term of up to 15 years behind bars.