 Ah, sign is just an illussion folks, but results are real (LS/Bill Menzel) New York- This subway Inter-League Series during the season since 1997 between the two New York baseball teams, the Yankees against the Mets, has always provided some type of drama. Even during those Yankee championship years, under manager Joe Torre, Mariano Rivera – perhaps the best relief pitcher baseball – has seen was always a part of the drama.
 Lost in the shuffle: Chien-Ming Wang's first W (LS/Bill Menzel) Years later it hasn’t changed much, even though Rivera may be a little older and has had some recent struggles. So it figured that Rivera would be the story Sunday evening at Citi Field. The Yankees swept the three game series from the Mets 4-2 in the finale of the annual six game series and took five of the six games. Rivera came in the game for a four out save, significant also because it was a milestone, number 500, which is now second to Brewers and former San Diego closer Trevor Hoffman. And, Rivera contributed at the plate, sort of, in the eighth inning with the bat. He drew a bases loaded walk off Francisco Rodriquez in the ninth, the Mets closer who established a season record 62 saves last season with the Angeles. The at bat by Rivera forced in a needed insurance run for the Yankees and was Rivera’s first run batted in as a hitter in his third career at bat. Rivera was more excited about the RBI and how he hung in there against Rodriguez. “I had one thing in mind, just try to do something.” he said about his at bat. He also recorded his 18th save of the season, received congratulations from first baseman Mark Teixeira who handed him the ball that will probably be sent to the Baseball Hall of Fame up in Cooperstown New York. And it was Teixeira who got the Yankees started again at the plate with a two- run double in the first inning. The entire Yankees team would meet and greet Rivera as he left the field and he also heard the cheers from the many Yankee fans remaining at Citi Field by the Yankees dugout. “Don’t get me wrong it is definitely special,” added the 39-year old relief specialist about the record. Rivera started his career with the Yankees as a set up man out of the pen for John Wetteland and the rest is history as he also holds the record for most post season saves with 34. “I wasn’t applauding him for that,” said Mets manager Jerry Manuel about Rivera easily stopping his Mets in the ninth inning to close the game. Instead Manuel was clapping because of the accomplishment that Rivera achieved at the Mets new home ballpark. “You have to applaud that,” he said about the record. It was the Yankees fifth consecutive win in a season that has had its ups and downs. And for the Mets, the puzzle continues as their fans hope and possibly await some roster moves that can possibly produce some offense for a team that is next to last in baseball in the home run category. It was the first three-game series sweep from an opponent in the brief history of Citi Field. .In all three games this weekend, the Yankees scored first. The anemic hitting of the Mets continued with a make ship lineup that Manuel has to assemble because of the various injuries to players that have dominated the first half of this Mets season. The Yankees out hit the Mets in the three games 26-4 and the Mets were outscored 17-3. It has Manuel perplexed and trying to find the answers. The Mets are in desperate need of a power hitter because the injured Carlos Delgado is not expected back any time soon. And one of their leading home run hitters last season, David Wright in particular, has four as the month of June comes to a conclusion and instead is hitting for average. “We have to find a way,” was all Manuel could say about how his team continued to be shut down at the plate in the three games from Yankees starting pitchers CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Chien-Ming Wang (1-6) who started the final game Sunday evening won his first game since June 15 of last season “We have to play somewhat error free and fundamentally sound,” added Manuel. “We get the big hit, we get the big play but we have to compromise to put ourselves in that position,” he said. Manuel was referring to the better infield play Sunday of his team, though Daniel Murphy continues to make blunders at first base dropping a ball and throwing a ball to third base that moved Nick Swisher to third base in the first inning. Overall Manuel got another effective outing from starter Livan Hernandez, (5-3) who settled in after the first inning. Hernandez was removed after seven innings after allowing three hits and five walks and got the loss. The Yankees moved to a season best 11 games over .500 at 43-32, and for the first time since last July, the Mets are once again a .500 team. But the evening belonged to Rivera as city baseball bragging rights once again belong to the Yankees. e-mail Rich Mancuso:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phostos By Latino Sports Photographer Bill Menzel  Courtesy Pass from one closer to the other (LS/Bill Menzel)  Livan Hernandez settled down but Mets Bats only made a dent (LS/Bill Menzel)  Luis Castillo's RBI hit (LS/Bill Menzel)  Mariano on his way to his first RBI (499 to go?) LS/Bill Menzel  Mark Teixeira's 2 RBI Double (22) (LS/Bill Menzel) |
