Hey Mariano...Who's YOUR Daddy?
By Joe Davis
Mariano Rivera blew his fourth straight save opportunity Wednesday. A day of frustration at the plate turned into a feast as Mariano Rivera allowed 5 runs, of which 1 was earned.
It all started in the 9th inning. Mariano Rivera relieved Tanyon Sturtze of his duties. It did not start easy for Rivera as he faced his worst enemy, Bill Mueller. You might remember last year's brawl game when Bill Mueller hit the game-winning homerun off of Mariano. That led to the breakdown of Mo in the playoffs in which Billy hit a shot up the middle off of Mariano Rivera to keep the Red Sox hopes alive in the ALCS.
Bill Mueller worked the count and walked. Then Mark "Clutch" Bellhorn singled to right field past the diving efforts of Tino Martinez. Johnny Damon (who now happens to be an author) kept the inning alive by dropping a single in front of Gary Sheffield.
After going down 2-0 in the count to Trot Nixon, A-Rod visited Mariano on the mound to calm him. It seemed to help as he came back to strike Nixon out.
But then A-Rod did not help Mariano as he dropped an easy ground ball at third. With a chance to throw out the runner at home, or to turn a double play, A-Rod got handcuffed by a fast grounder by Manny Ramirez. With run in, and the bases still loaded David Ortiz, aka Big Papi, stepped up to the plate. He hit a weak ground ball to the right side of the infield. Marino fielded it but only had a chance to throw out Ortiz at first. One more run in, 2 out.
David McCarty, who replaced Kevin Millar after a supposed "leg cramp" (who also went 3-3 in the game), drew a walk and newly acquired shortstop Edgar Renteria stepped in the batting box.
Renteria, who got his first hit of the season in the 6th inning, and who had earlier grounded into two double plays, rocketed a line drive past the diving glove of Ray Sanchez (brought into the game after Derek Jeter was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the 8th). Damon and Manny Ramirez scored, making it 6-3.
Doug Mirabelli, who was in the game today because Tim Wakefield was pitching, walked and that was enough for Joe Torre as he brought in Felix Rodriguez to finish the game.
David McCarty later scored on a wild pitch by Rodriguez and Bill Mueller struck out looking to end the nightmare for the Yankees.
The Red Sox who took the win without their Manager, Terry Francona. Francona was taken to the hospital early this morning after feeling tightness in his chest. He is awaiting test results and the team has not decided if he will manage in Toronto.
The Red Sox improve to 1-2 and the Yankees (2-1) took their first loss of the year.
