Mariano Rivera became the 2nd MLer to save 500 games, joining Brewers' closer, Trevor Hoffman, as the only players in history to achieve the feat in the Yanks 4-2 victory over the hapless Mets. Mo earned this save, too, as he entered the game with 2 outs in the 8th after Brian Bruney walked 2 men in the inning. He caught Omir Santos looking on a 3-2 cutter on the inside corner to get out of the jam.
Mo picked up another milestone tonight, as well, when he came to bat against K-Rod, the single-season saves record holder. With 2 outs and the bases loaded, Mo worked a full count on K-Rod, including one helluva vicious cut on a 2-2 fastball. Mo walked, driving in the Yanks final run for his first career RBI (in 3 career at bats). Robinson Cano - please take note.
Mo's RBI wasn't the only first of the night - his save marked Chien-Ming Wang's first win of the season in his 11th start. He pitched 5.1 innings of 2-run ball in another respectable, but rather unspectacular outing. He did lower his ERA to 10.06 and has a shot at lowering it to single digits in his next start. He didn't have great command, walking 3 and 1 HBP, but fortunately he faced a depleted Mets lineup that couldn't take advantage.
The Yanks looked like they were going to blow this game wide open in the 1st against Livan Hernandez. They put 3 on the board on a 2-run double by Mark Teixeira and a sac fly by Jorge Posada. The Mets might've had a chance to limit the damage to 2 runs, but 1B Daniel Murphy dropped the relay throw on a potential double play ball off the bat of Robinson Cano.
Amazingly, the Yanks only managed 1 more hit off of Livan Hernandez. They did have a couple of opportunities to blow the game open. My favorite whipping boy, Robinson Cano, came up with the bases loaded twice, and killed both rallies, one with a double play. For the game, he left a whopping 8 men on base. I've written so much on this topic, it's become absolutely boring to me. Someone please explain to me why this guy continues to be penciled into the 5th spot of the lineup. Cano best serves the team in the lower third of the order where there's less pressure on him. He's now 2-12 with the bases loaded this season and batting .236 with the bags juiced for his career. I won't even rehash his career RISP numbers.
Fortunately for the Yanks, those missed opportunities didn't come back to haunt them as their bullpen continues to pitch well. Phil Coke and Phil Hughes did their jobs and bridged the gap to Bruney in the 8th, setting the stage for Mo's big night. With tonight's win and Boston's loss earlier in the day to Braves outstanding rookie, Tommy Hanson, the Yanks closed to within 3 games. They better not look in the rearview mirror - Tampa Bay swept the Marlins and have won 5 straight just like the Bombers.
Yankees Record: 43-32 - ties their high season mark of 11 games over .500
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