Yanks sweep Twins; Livan falls to Earth as Mets lose (Today’s Back Pages)
Jul/09164
Today’s Back Pages
The Yankees are cruising right now, having swept a feisty Minnesota Twins club in the season series for the first time since 2003, beating the Twins yesterday 6-4.
Alfredo Aceves took the mound for the start but underwhelmed, letting up three earned runs in three and one-third innings. But the bullpen picked him up, with five pitchers pitching more than five scoreless innings, shutting down Joe Mauer and the Twins. Jonathan Albaladejo, who took the roster spot vacated by Chien-Ming Wang, who went on the disabled list last week, got the win and Phil Hughes once again impressed as the new eighth inning bridge to Mariano Rivera. Yankees fans will salivate over this; when reporters asked Rivera about Hughes’ performance, the closer replied, “he reminds me of when I was doing that job.”
Brett Gardner and Cody Ransom each drove in a pair of runs and Mark Teixeira homered for the first time in 95 at-bats, a career high. With the victory, New York now sits atop the AL East, tied with Boston.
Meanwhile in Queens, an ugly scene emerged early on in the Mets’ rubber game with NL-leading Los Angeles as Livan Hernandez imploded and the Dodgers beat the Mets 11-2.
Hernandez was charged with eight earned runs in just four innings and after impressing early on this season in an improbable role, Livan has turned into Livan and his starting job could be in jeopardy, writes Bart Hubbuch. After the game, Jerry Manuel said that “anything is possible,” all but indicating that top pitching prospect Jon Niese, lights out in the International League of late, could replace Hernandez in the rotation. “It’s only two bad games,” Hernandez said. But for a team whose bats have gone cold, there is no room for error on the mound.
Adding insult to injury, the Dodgers starter who shut the Mets down last night was Randy Wolf, whom Omar Minaya openly discussed as a backup plan to Oliver Perez, should he sign elsewhere. But despite this, and despite the fact that Orlando Hudson, enjoying a very productive year in Los Angeles, virtually asked the Mets to sign him, David Lennon writes that Minaya will get a pass this year, and is virtually bulletproof.
The Dodgers are simply a much better, deeper team than the Mets, writes Mike Lupica, who sings the praises of GM Ned Colletti. Despite having a great night at the plate and in the field Wednesday, Daniel Murphy found himself on the bench Thursday, and Jerry Manuel struggled to explain why, Bart Hubbuch writes. This year will only get worse, writes Joel Sherman. “Ya gotta feel bad” for hitting coach Howard Johnson, writes Jim Baumbach. Oh and by the way, Fernando Martinez becomes the latest Met to hit the DL, with inflammation in his knee.
The Knicks continued to wait yesterday and see if Grant Hill would be donning the orange and blue next year. Hill became intrigued by the potential of helping to lead a rebuilding project during his visit to New York, writes William Rhoden. “The longer I was there, I found myself thinking, ‘I could do this,’” Hill said yesterday. “The more I think about it, the more I like it.” The Knicks offer incentives that no other team could match, writes Howard Beck. If it means anything, Jason Kidd said yesterday that he thinks Hill will sign with New York. The Knicks could look to Philadelphia point guard Andre Miller if Hill signs elsewhere.
Also in the back pages this morning:
The Rangers signed right wing Ales Kotalik.
Former-Met Pedro Martinez could sign with Philadelphia.
Joe Girardi wants Joba Chamberlain to be more aggressive on the mound.
Don Mattingly is having a great time in Los Angeles.
Apparently Steve McNair had more than one extramarrital affair, this one with a stripper.
The Knicks inked rookie point guard Toney Douglas.
Candace Parker and the L.A. Sparks beat the Liberty 69-60.
Day Baseball and other glorious things (Best of the Web)
Jul/0915
Best of the Web
Jorge and Laura Posada
Yanks leading Twins. (Yankees.com)
Think Roy Halladay could be wearing pinstripes soon? Think again. (WasWatching)
Grant Hill’s wife could pull a Mark Teixeira and convince him to move to the Big Apple. (FanHouse)
Hey Mets fans, think it can’t get any worse? Fernando Martinez hits the DL. (MetsBlog)
The Gary Keith and Ron Drinking Game. More fun than it sounds, perhaps. (Amazin’ Avenue)
Eagles fans really shouldn’t make fun of the Michael Boley situation. (Big Blue View)
Brian Bruney is taking his struggles of late in stride. (River Ave. Blues)
Rangers ink Ales Kotalik. (Blueshirt Banter)
The Manny Ramirez hate-fest extended into the nice seats last night. (NYT Bats)
One writer thinks Dustin Keller will have a breakout season. (ESPN)
Because it was so awesome (and surprising), here’s Daniel Murphy’s sick flip again. (Hot Foot)
More on Long Island’s new man crush, John Tavares. (Lighthouse Hockey)
Interview with new Jet Jim Leonhard. (NewYorkJets.com)
An ode to Francisco Cervelli. (NYT Bats)
Full recap of Baseball Wives, featuring Laura Posada and Heidi Hamels. (Pinstripe Alley)
Perez returns, Mets win; Yanks win in Minnesota (Today’s Back Pages)
Jul/091
Today’s Back Pages
The Mets got their $36 million man back from the dead last night as Oliver Perez returned to Citi Field, securing a shaky win as New York defeated the Dodgers 5-4.
Perez was not great, walking seven batters in five innings while striking out just two. Of his 108 pitches, just 55 were for strikes. The bullpen was up early and often. He walked the first batter he faced, Rafael Furcal, on four pitches. “Oliver Perez showed last night that he can still do all the same things he did before he went on hiatus with a bad knee: annoy the fans, frustrate his manager and yet somehow give the Mets a chance to win,” writes David Lennon. Meet the new Ollie, same as the old Ollie, writes Wallace Matthews.
Luckily for the Mets, Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda was worse than Perez, and lasted just four and one-third innings, giving up four runs to the Mets’ run-starved lineup. Daniel Murphy started the offensive rally by smacking a double in the first, and later flexed his defensive muscles as well, flipping a ball to Bobby Parnell for a big out in the seventh. From there, the bullpen held on. Barely. Francisco Rodriguez came in for the save and the first batter he faced, Manny Ramirez, drilled a ball deep to the Pepsi Porch. But K-Rod managed to hang on, despite allowing two baserunners, as he forced Andre Ethier to ground into a double play to end the game.
“With another heart-breaking, gut-wrenching defeat looming Wednesday night, something strange happened: they reversed recent trends,” the Times writes. Jerry Manuel referenced Martin Luther King and Gandhi in talking about last night’s game, which can’t be good, writes Tim Smith in the News. In case no one noticed, David Wright is pressing at the plate, writes Greg Bishop. But he denies rumors of injury, Mark Hale writes.
Speaking of injury, believe it or not, Carlos Delgado could be the first injured Met to make his return. Delgado fielded ground balls yesterday and will start running soon. He could be back by August 1, Manuel said yesterday.
In Minnesota, the Yankees rode A.J. Burnett and their new-look bullpen to their 12th win in 14 games, topping the Twins 4-3. Burnett was far from dominant, allowing seven hits in six and one-third innings of work, but he got the job done, winning his third straight start.
Burnett had command only of his fastball, said Jorge Posada after the game. “I obviously didn’t have a hook the whole game and my control was off, big time,” Burnett said. “Fought myself a lot, but I was able to regroup and make pitches when I needed to.”
The Yankee lineup rallied behind their struggling pitcher, with Brett Gardner driving in two runs and Alex Rodriguez hitting the go-ahead RBI single in the fifth that ultimately would prove to be enough. Phil Coke surrendered a home run to Joe Mauer in the seventh, but Phil Hughes and Mariano Rivera held on to shut the door in the eighth and ninth, respectively.
Alfredo Aceves starts for the Yankees today and will be limited to 65 pitches, writes George King. Aceves is a bit quirky, writes Tyler Kepner.
Also in the back pages this morning:
The Mets probably won’t be able to trade Gary Sheffield, writes Ken Davidoff.
The Knicks are still waiting to hear from Grant Hill.
Joe Torre says that he doesn’t care about Yankee Stadium unless the Dodgers are playing there in October.
Isles first pick John Tavares met the media yesterday.
David Lee finds himself in an extremely complicated situation and remains unsigned.
Stephon Marbury could play in Europe next year.
The Devils could add Brendan Morrison to next year’s squad.
Hiroki Kuroda says that Japanese pitchers struggle with subtle differences in pitching mounds between Japan and America.
Police concluded that Steve McNair’s girlfriend killed him and then herself.
Lenny Dykstra filed for Chapter 11.
St. Johns will have few easy games on their schedule next season.
Dodgers Man-handle Mets; Yanks down Twins (Today’s Back Pages)
Jul/090
Today’s Back Pages
The Mets lost 8-0 Tuesday and their prized off-season acquisition Oliver Perez returns from the dead to start against Manny Ramirez and the most potent offense in the National League tonight. The joy of being a Mets fan.
Mike Pelfrey threw 95 pitches in just three innings, leaving the rest of the game to the mediocre back end of the Mets’ bullpen, to pitchers like Tim Redding, newly moved to the bullpen, Brian Stokes, who has been ineffective of late, and new acquisitions Pat Misch and Elmer Dessens. It was a night for the offense to pick the bullpen up, but the Mets seemingly left their bats at home. Young Dodgers’ southpaw Clayton Kershaw dominated the Mets with his sweeping curveball, striking out seven in six innings and allowing just three hits.
“I think we just stink right now,” said David Wright, who was among the Mets hearing it from the fans last night. “Things have never looked worse” for Mets fans, writes Joel Sherman in a must-read column for masochistic Mets fans. If the news on the field is bad, the news off of it is equally downcast, with Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran not expected back anytime soon. Without those bats in the lineup, the season may be over, writes John Harper.
The Mets did make one right move this year, writes William Rhoden, in not signing Ramirez, whom Mets fans actually booed more than their own players last night. Ramirez provided the lone bit of entertainment at Citi Field last night, though, as he was ejected by home plate umpire John Hirshbeck in the fifth after throwing his pads following a strikeout. Forgive Manny if he’s moody, writes Brian Costello, he’s on fertility drugs. “The Republic of Manny came to New York last night, a government of Manny, by Manny and for Manny, in which the only rules that are followed, or even exist, are the ones Manny Ramirez deems worthy of being followed,” writes Wallace Matthews. The Manny Circus continues tonight at Citi Field, which increasingly looks more like a big tent every loss.
The Yankees rode their ace C.C. Sabathia into Minnesota last night, showing no mercy as they rolled over the Twins 10-2. Sabathia pitched exceedingly well, allowing just three hits in seven innings of work. The Yankees broke a trend by actually hitting when their ace is on the mound, with every starter recording a hit.
Sabathia told reporters after the game that he knew the Twins lineup inside and out, having pitched against them countless time while a member of the Cleveland Indians. “He was outstanding,” said manager Joe Girardi. “Seven strong innings, he didn’t have to throw a lot of pitches, had a great changeup and the location of his fastball was down. He was great.”
Mark Teixeira led the Yanks offense hitting four singles in six at-bats. Robinson Cano and Francisco Cervelli doubled and Brett Gardner tripled. Here’s the biggest difference between the Mets and Yankees: With two outs last night, the Yankees recorded eight runs batted in.
Toronto Blue Jays General Manager J.P. Ricciardi said yesterday that he would hear offers for star pitcher Roy Halladay, although he didn’t go so far as to put Doc on the block. “If someone wants Roy and they’re willing to blow us away, we’d be willing to listen, that’s all I’m saying,” Ricciardi said. Don’t count on Halladay joining the Yankees anytime soon, writes George King. July just became more interesting, Ken Davidoff writes. For Halladay, the Yankees would probably have to give up a laundry list of star young players and prospects including Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, Dellin Betances, Austin Jackson, and Jesus Montero, writes Tyler Kepner. In other words, don’t count on it.
In other Yankees news, Alfredo Aceves will start in place of the injured Chien-Ming Wang tomorrow. Aceves has found success in a long relief role this year, and starts over other options, including Sergio Mitre and Kei Igawa, both of whom would have forced the Yankees to make a roster move.
Also in the back pages this morning:
Donnie Walsh is crossing his fingers that Grant Hill becomes a Knick, possibly as early as today.
Hill will decide between the Knicks, Suns, and Celtics.
Giants LB Michael Boley has been suspended for a game for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
The Islanders will introduce first overall pick John Tavares to the media today.
The umpire who told Derek Jeter that the ball beat him to the base on Monday is now telling a different story.
Bill Madden on Joe Torre’s return to New York.
Lance Armstrong moved into second place in the Tour d’France yesterday.
Good news for U.S. Soccer as defender Oguchi Onyewu will move to Serie A powerhouse A.C. Milan on a three-year deal.
More on Steve McNair’s relationship with his apparent killer.
Laura Posada, wife of Jorge, will appear on an E! reality show.
Girardi ejected as Yankees lose finale to Jays (Today’s Back Pages)
Jul/090
Today’s Back Pages
Andy Pettite’s Yankee Stadium woes continued yesterday as he was pounded by the Blue Jays, who went on to beat the Yankees 7-6. Pettite gave up six runs in six innings of work, and though the Yankees rallied behind their starter, they couldn’t overcome Toronto yesterday.
Toronto’s Ricky Romero, an emerging young pitcher, shut down the Yankees, flashing “Johan Santana-like” stuff, according to Joe Girardi. After his departure, the Yanks got to the Blue Jays bullpen, scoring two in the seventh, one in the eighth, and two in the ninth. But Nick Swisher popped up with the bases loaded in eighth and Eric Hinske struck out in the ninth to end the rally.
The game began in a bizarre fashion as Derek Jeter was thrown out while trying to steal third base with no outs. Jeter, who felt that third baseman Scott Rolen had missed the tag, argued with umpire Marty Foster and was told that the ball had beaten Jeter to the base, regardless of a tag. “I was unaware of that change in the rules. I was baffled by the explanation,” Jeter said. Girardi came out to argue and was consequently thrown out of the game. After, he blamed poor baserunning on the loss. This was about as close as you get to calling out Derek Jeter, Jim Baumbach writes, comparing instances of that to the number of Mets’ no-hitters. Even on a bad day, Jeter proved that he is the captain, writes Wallace Matthews in Newsday.
An interesting sidenote is that yesterday’s crew chief, John Hirshbeck, says that he will review the play and speak to the umpire involved. “In my 27 years in the big leagues, [Jeter] might be the classiest person I’ve ever been around in uniform,” Hirshbeck said. “I do think, ‘Wow, that’s unusual,’ and I did at the time.”
The papers all report that the Knicks and Grant Hill seem to have mutual interest in each other. Hill visited Madison Square Garden yesterday, and the Knicks put an offer on the table, for one-year and part of the team’s mid-level exception. “I’ve always been a fan of the Knicks and the city,” Hill said. The move to sign Hill comes a day after Jason Kidd chose to remain in Dallas, despite indicating interest in a move to New York.
These days, reading about the Mets conveys a funereal tone, and the papers all give their various takes today on the decrepid state of the once-Amazin’s. “The Mets have been hungrily spying the All-Star break for weeks like a family of 3-XLs staring down a Vegas breakfast buffet,” writes Mike Vaccaro. Omar Minaya and the Mets brass remain convinced that the eventual returns of various injured stars will give the club enough of a boost to make a difference, writes Adam Rubin. The Mets are counting on some short term help with the returns of Oliver Perez and Angel Pagan looming and their prized young prospect Jon Niese dominating at the Triple-A level, writes David Lennon. The pressure of playing in New York means that Minaya may not make the correct baseball decisions, Ken Belson writes in the Times.
Oh, and by the way, Manny Ramirez and Joe Torre are coming to town.
Also in the back pages this morning:
Nikolai Zherdev filed for salary arbitration yesterday and is probably done with the Rangers.
A report says that LeBron James told Trevor Ariza that he plans on staying a Cav for the long term.
Brian Bruney is frustrated by his struggles of late.
Nets’ first draft pick Terrence Williams made his New Jersey debut yesterday.
A mixed debut for new Yankee Eric Hinske.
Mark Teixeira hasn’t hit a home run in a very long time.
John Harper calls on Mets fans to let Manny Ramirez remember what he’s done.
Terrible news as Phil Mickelson’s mother has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Baseball injuries have increased in recent years.
Eric Hinske likes to flex for his fans (Best of the Web)
Jul/090
Best of the Web
Yankees dropped by Jays 7-6, Andy Pettite channels his inner Joba. (Yankees.com)
Eric Hinske answers first roll call by flexing bicep, first at bat by homering. This should be fun. (NYT Bats)
Plans for Nets to move to Brooklyn reportedly more in doubt than ever. (Nets Daily)
Mets fans have already blamed everyone from Omar Minaya to Mr. Met for this year’s disastrous season, so now it’s time to once again focus on Assistant GM Tony Bernazard. (MetsBlog)
Phil Hughes won’t be taken out of the bullpen anytime soon. (LoHud Yankees Blog)
Giants LB Danny Clark talks to ESPN First Take about the upcoming season. (Giants Football Blog)
What next year’s Islanders team might look like. (Lighthouse Hockey)
Nets Summer League participants. Some big college names on the list. (Nets Are Scorching)
The Jets’ Strength and Conditioning Coach monitors Twitter to make sure his players aren’t tweeting about eating unhealthy food. (Jets Journal)
Red Bulls are going down in flames. (NYT Goal)
Date set for hearing on the Lighthouse Project, will help determine future of Nassau Coliseum. (On The Islanders Beat)
Yankee Bats bail out Joba; Mets swept in Philly
Jul/090
Today’s Back Pages
In his worst outing of the year, Joba Chamberlain survived just three and two-thirds innings, surrendering eight runs on nine hits, including two home runs. But the Yankees rallied and the bullpen held, allowing New York to defeat Toronto 10-8. While Chamberlain hit the showers, Alfredo Aceves pitched four solid innings of relief. “Ace knows how to pitch,” manager Joe Girardi said of the long-man, who earned his first-ever big league save. “He was attacking the zone with great stuff,” said Mark Teixeira. “He just did an amazing job of getting us where we needed to be.”
The Yankees bats did the rest, as Derek Jeter hit the go-ahead home run in the fifth inning, leading the comeback. Jeter had four hits as did Jorge Posada. Hideki Matsui also homered and drove in four.
When anyone struggles like they did on the mound yesterday, especially Joba, questions naturally begin to surface, writes Jack Curry in the Times. Joba was booed off of the mound, all of the papers write. “The debate is now whether Joba Chamberlain is good enough to pitch out of the Yankees bullpen,” writes Larry Brooks. Ken Davidoff writes that Joba’s childish performance after the game was worse than how he pitched.
Starting pitching was not the problem for the team across town, as Johan Santana pitched seven dominant innings only for his team to find itself shut out at the hands of Joe Blanton. The Mets lost 2-0 to the Phillies at Citizens’ Bank Park, completing a three-game sweep for Philadelphia.
Jimmy Rollins homered off of Santana’s second pitch of the game, and with how the Mets are playing, the mercy rule should have been called, writes Ben Shpigel, who points out that the Mets lost this weekend to minor-leaguer Rodrigo Lopez, forty-something year-old Jamie Moyer, whom they have hit hard in the past, and Blanton, a serviceable fifth-starter and nothing more. The Mets are four games back of the Phils and “officially half-bad,” writes Anthony Rieber. Another mistake doomed the Mets as David Wright let a Chase Utley foul ball bounce and smack him in the face. Utley subsequently homered, giving the Phillies a two-run lead. The shot to the face didn’t serve as a wake up call for Wright, who earned the ire of Mets fans once again yesterday by grounding into an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded. Wright is tired, writes David Lennon.
The Mets had more players selected to the NL All Stars than runs scored in Philadelphia over the weekend, writes Bart Hubbuch. The Phillies are looking past the Mets in their race to the top of the NL East, writes Matt Gagne in the News.
For his entire career, Andy Roddick has been lampooned as the American who could never follow in the footsteps of Pete Sampras, the guy who could never get it done when it counted. Yesterday at Wimbledon, Roddick proved that he could hang around with the big boys as he made Roger Federer give it his all to win an epic finals match. Federer won his 15th Grand Slam event, a new record in tennis, and Sampras, the previous record-holder, called him the best of all time. “He’s a legend,” Sampras said. “Now he’s an icon.”
Also in the back pages this morning:
Chien-Ming Wang hit the Disabled List.
Jason Kidd has opted to stay in Dallas, and the Knicks will now focus on Grant Hill.
Tiger Woods won his own tournament at Congressional.
Mike Lupica writes that Steve McNair is just another victim of America’s gun culture.
McNair’s death was officially ruled a homicide.
Derek Jeter, David Wright, Johan Santana, Mariano Rivera, Francisco Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, and Carlos Beltran will represent New York in the All Star Game.
Former Met Preston Wilson homered for the Long Island Ducks yesterday.
Happy Baseball and Beer Day (Best of the Web)
Jul/090
Best of the Web
Note: BackpageNY will not publish again until Monday morning due to the holiday weekend. Happy Independence Day!
Mets leading the Pirates. (Mets.com)
Ricky Rubio says that he will stay in Spain for two more years. (Deadspin)
Jets LB Calvin Pace suspended four games for violating the NFL’s policy on illegal substances. (NFL Fifth Down)
Evaluating the flurry of moves made yesterday by the Rangers. (Blueshirt Banter)
Jets and Giants both are part of the ten best NFL rivalries, not with each other, though. (Fox Sports)
Passing on Derek Lowe might have been a good idea after all. Let’s all remember that the Mets subsequently resigned Oliver Perez, however. (Hot Foot)
The emergence of Sergio Mitre means that Phil Hughes can stay in the bullpen for now. (Pinstripe Alley)
Options for the Knicks at the point. It’s not going to be pretty, however it turns out. (The Knicks Blog)
The Mets signed the son of former Major Leaguer and current machete/gas can wielding felon Ugueth Urbina. This should go well. (MetsBlog)
Jim Leyritz got arrested. Again. (Sun-Sentinel)
Apparently Landon Donovan and David Beckham aren’t the best of friends. (NYT Goal)
Dustin Keller and Chansey Stuckey are warring on Twitter. (Holy Joe Namath)
Today in New York
Jul/090
at Pittsburgh Pirates, 12:35 PM, SNY, WFAN 660 AM
Tim Redding (1-3) vs. Paul Maholm (5-4)
Note: It’s raining in Pittsburgh, so expect at least a short delay before this game begins.
Pelfrey, Mets outduel Gallardo; A-Rod leads Yanks to 7th straight
Jul/0925
Today’s Back Pages
For the past five games, the Mets have tried to stop the bleeding against some good pitchers and some not-so-good. It turns out that they chose arguably the best of the bunch to finally beat, snapping a five-game losing streak and defeating Yovani Gallardo and the Brewers 1-0.
Mike Pelfrey, who has underwhelmed of late, pitched an impressive, if not dominant, seven and two-thirds innings, neutralizing the Brewers’ big bats of Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder. “Mike Pelfrey was outstanding,” said Jerry Manuel. “That was a tremendous, tremendous effort.” Sean Green came on in relief for the final out in the eighth and then Francisco Rodriguez shut the door, pitching a dominant ninth. Ryan Church had the sole RBI for the Mets, delivering a one-out single up the middle to drive in Luis Castillo in the sixth. That was the only run because Gallardo was dominant, striking out twelve Mets for the highest K-count of his career. Three of those were produced by David Wright, who begged Manuel to put him back into the lineup after the manager decided to rest the star third baseman. He has now struck out 79 times this year.
The papers all front stories about Manuel’s new strategy, which entailed a communal bus ride to Miller Park from the team hotel, this coming after a team meeting Tuesday night. It may seem trivial, but apparently it struck a chord with the team. And in true Jerry Manuel fashion, following the ten-minute ride, the manager quipped, “they’ll call us Bingo Long and the Traveling All-Stars, just go and do our thing together.”
The Yankees continued to ride high Wednesday with a 4-2 win over the Seattle Mariners. Alex Rodriguez hit his fourth home run in six games, and any questions about the slugger’s health have seemingly been erased. “There’s no question I feel more energetic,” he said. “The swing only comes if you have fuel in the tank. Right now, I feel my body is reacting very well.”
Andy Pettite finally pitched well at home, writes George King in the Post, and the team rallied behind him. Johnny Damon and Melky Cabrera homered in the second, Melky’s blast requiring a two-minute official review, making the score 2-1 Yanks until Ken Griffey Jr. homered off of Pettite in the next inning. A-Rod’s shot provided all the extra offense that the Yanks would need as the bullpen shut the door on the M’s. The ball was flying out of the park, but “you can’t do anything about it,” Pettite said.
As A-Rod goes, so do the Yankees, writes Tyler Kepner. The “Slugger and Team are joined at the hip,” writes Jay Greenberg. A-Rod and the Yankees are “following the rules,” writes Wallace Matthews.
The papers continue to question the pecking order in the Yankee bullpen today, even though it was Alfredo Aceves and Phil Coke who pitched the eighth last night. Bill Madden writes that it’s time for Phil Hughes to become the bridge to Mariano Rivera. Brian Bruney won’t cry if he loses his role as set-up man, the Post writes.
Also in the back pages this morning:
Andy Roddick defeated Lleyton Hewitt and will now face Briton Andy Murray in the Wimbledon semis.
Tommy Haas will face Roger Federer.
Former Mets closer and their last captain John Franco ripped the team for its lack of leadership and unity.
Memphis acquired former-Knick Zach Randolph for former-Knick Quentin Richardson so they will not be pursuing current-Knick David Lee
The Rangers signed free-agent right wing Marian Gaborik.
Newly-acquired Yankee Eric Hinske is happy to return to a competative AL East race.
The Knicks met with Jason Kidd for three hours yesterday but Dallas is highly interested in him as well.
The Knicks are also interested in veteran Grant Hill.
Rafer Alston will accept being the Nets’ backup point guard.
A-Rod’s nephew looks to create his own legacy on the baseball diamond.