Can-Do!

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Some breaks and a Cano home run lead Yanks to win over Royals

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, May 23- Alex Rodriquez struck out with the bases loaded and the New York Yankees still were 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position. But Phil Hughes (4-5) gave up five hits in six innings, striking out seven. And the Yankees were able to get some breaks that have not gone their way in defeating the Kansas City Royals 3-2 in the Bronx Tuesday evening.

“I hope it carries over tomorrow,” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi who saw his club snap a three-game losing streak. The finale of the home stand and series with the Royals is Wednesday night before New York embarks on a nine-game three-city trip that takes them to Oakland, Los Angeles and Detroit. 

A two-run, fifth inning saw the Yankees break a skid that had them 0-for- 15 with the bases loaded. Derek Jeter banged a single to left that scored Mark Teixeira who led off the inning with a single and took second on an error by right fielder Jeff Francoeur. That tied the score at 2-2.

Teixeira batted seventh for the second straight game, a move Girardi made to hopefully spark some offense. In that inning the breaks came when Francoeur bobbled the ball, Russell Martin was hit by a pitch, and Dewayne Wise reached base on a bunt that fooled the Royals.

Curtis Granderson, 3-for-13 on the current six-game home stand followed with a fielder’s choice that scored Russell Martin for the Yankees second run.

Before that, the Royals reached Hughes for their two runs. Humberto Quintero hit a run scoring double in the third and Jeff Francouer hit his second home run of the series, third of the year, a solo shot to left.

“It seemed like nothing was a walk in the park tonight,” commented Hughes. In the eighth, with Girardi using four relievers out of the pen, before Rafael Soriano closed the game in the ninth, earning his third save, Clay Rapada induced Mike Moustakas to hit into an inning ending double play.

Robinson Cano also homered for New York. It was his third in 12-career at bats against Royals starter and loser (3-5) Luke Hochevar, who entered the game with a 8.83 ERA , 0-2 in four career starts against the Yankees. That put the first run on the board for the Yankees in the fourth.

“He did a great job during that inning,” said Royals manager Ned Yost about his starter. “They really didn’t hit the ball hard and they made a perfect bunt. Jeter is great at finding holes. He limited the damage big time in the fifth inning, but I thought that he pitched a darn good game.”

Rodriquez, 1-for-4, struck out with the bases loaded in the fifth inning before Cano was walked intentionally.

“It wasn’t that pretty, but that was a good win,” he said. “It felt really good to win a game like this. Sometimes you need a game like this to kind of get you on a roll. Hopefully, it’s a good sign of things to come. We haven’t been winning these kinds of games.”

Andy Pettitte, (1-1) makes his third start for New York since his return in the series finale Wednesday evening.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

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Yanks Comeback Falls Short

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, May 20- The failure of Yankee batters to hit successfully with runners in scoring position continues to plague the team. After failing in three at bats to move runners beyond second base, the Yankee futility in scoring runners from second and/or third base reached a mark of three scores in 51 at bats.

It looked as if they could move beyond those failures in the ninth inning as a runner in scoring position was plated for the first time in 23 at bats as Nick Swisher singled Raul Ibañez home after the latter was at second after doubling. Singles by Eric Chavez and Jayson Nix accounted for the fifth run of the Yankees.

The streak of success ended quickly as Derek Jeter forced Nix at second and Curtis Granderson ended the game by grounding out to first base.

After the contest concluded, Yankee manager Joe Girardi spoke of this problem, “We just didn’t get the last hit we needed. It’s frustrating that we got so close. I’m sure it’s frustrating for them.”

Solo homers by Russell Martin in the third and Jayson Nix in the fifth accounted for two earlier runs. A double by Ibañez scored Robinson Cano from first in the fourth.

Returning to action after suffering a sprain of his right ankle in his last start on May 14, Ivan Nova hit a career-high of 12 strikeouts, but gave up five runs in six innings.

Girardi said of the performance of the 25 year old, “I thought he threw the ball pretty decent. When he got hit, they made it count.”

The instances the Yankee skipper referred to were: a single after two walks in the first, two doubles in the second and a three-run homer to Cincinnati star Joey Votto in the fifth.

Of the long ball hit by Votto, Girardi commented, “He made a mistake to Votto; he let the ball up.”

The pitcher was dissatisfied with his work, “I don’t care about strikeouts. I made a lot of mistakes. It was a slider [to Votto], I didn’t get it down.”

The defeat was the fifth in the last seven games for the Yankees.

CC Sabathia (5-0) will start the final game of the three game series for the Yanks against Johnny Cueto (4-1) for the Reds on Sunday afternoon.

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Now THAT’s Our Andy

Pettitte Blanks Reds; Yanks Win, 4-0

(Photos by Ken Carozza)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, May 19-Andy Pettitte, in his second major league appearance since October 2010, shut out the Cincinnati Reds for eight innings. The victory was his first in a regular season big league game since July 8, 2010.

After losing their last three games, the Yankees were happy to return to the Bronx and overjoyed to be facing a national league team. The win kept the Yankees at the top of the standings in inter league play. They have compiled the most win, 158, and have the highest winning percentage, .597.

The story of the game was the superlative performance of the veteran left hander. Pettitte, less than one month shy of reaching the age of 40, pitched like the comeback kid. He shut out the Reds for eight frames, giving up only four isolated singles and one walk while fanning nine batters.

Yankee skipper Joe Girardi was ecstatic regarding Pettitte’s work, “He had everything going tonight. I thought his cutter was exceptional. I thought the location of his fastball was exceptional.” When asked if Pettitte looks any different than in years past, Girardi responded, “If you want to go back 2- years, to me, it’s the same guy.”

Catcher Chris Stewart saw very little difference between this victory and the loss Pettitte suffered in his first start of the season last Sunday, “The difference was just a couple of pitches. Tonight, he didn’t make those mistakes. Tonight was outstanding.”

Pettitte was especially pleased with his improvement, “Everything was working. It was good to get in a good rhythm.”

The Yanks continued to be unable to hit in the clutch. Yankee batters have only hit safely three times in the last 48 at bats with runners in scoring position.

The Yankees first was scored on a ground out to shortstop by Alex Rodriguez in the fourth.

The other three runs were scored on three hits in the eighth. Robinson Cano hit a solo homer. A- Rod, the next batter singled. Raul Ibañez followed with a two-run home run.

The second game of the inter league series will be played on Saturday afternoon Ivan Nova (4-1) expected to take the mound for the Yankees against Homer Bailey (1-3).

Pettitte is scheduled to start against Kansas City on Wednesday.

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Zoo Crash Could have been Prevented?

Survivor to Survivor: "I know What Your Going Through"

(Construction crews begin setting up a new barrier at the site of the most recent crash.--Photo by Amparo Cruz)

(A classmate of one of the victims speaks to reporter's after a funeral mass for the seven victims at St. Raymond's Church in Parkchester.--Photo by David Greene)

By David Greene

A Bronxite who lost five members of his family as well as a close friend, has reached out to the Soundview family who lost seven members in the latest multi-fatal crash along the Bronx River Parkway.

Dexter Gardiner was hosting a memorial basketball game dedicated to his mother and sister who had passed away in the same year, when a horrific crash on July 9, 2006, claimed the lives of Asia, 6; Dexter's twin Derrick, 40; Jamel, 16; Tuywann, 23; brother in law Brandon Days, 18; and friend Jeremy Blackwell, 23.

The family members had left the game at St. James Park in the Fordham section, and were traveling southbound on the Bronx River Parkwway between the Bronx Zoo and E. 177 Street exits, when their vehicle jumped the center divider and plowed into on-coming traffic.

Gardiner, a Burke Avenue resident recalled, "I visited them the day after the crash. I know what they’re going through right now, so I just wanted to be there to support them."

Coincidentally, Gardiner was driving with his girlfriend when his son called to tell him about the car that flew off the Bronx River Parkway and into the Bronx Zoo on April 29.

The latest crash claimed the lives of Maria Gonzalez, 45; Maria Maria Munez, 39; Ana Martinez, 81; Jacob Nunez, 85; Jocelyn Gonzalez, 10; Niely Rosario, 7; and Marly Rosario, 3.

Recalling getting the tragic news, Gardiner stated, "Oh man, I was devastated. It was like a flashback... it was heartbreaking."

To no avail, Gardiner had reached out to state officials to fix the roadway, that had several major flaws but the State Department of Transportation (DOT) did nothing. In fact, Bronx Democratic District Leader Michael Robles survived when his car flew off the parkway last year and landed in front of a Bronx police station.

At the time the DOT vowed to make a statement, but the call never came.

This past week work crews had finished erecting two new, temporary barriers that will keep vehicles on the roadway in the event of a crash, until repairs cane be made.

Monte Dean, a spokesman for the DOT, stated, "The length of the barrier is about 3,000 feet in each direction. I don't have a cost yet either. No idea."

Asked about another trouble-spot identified by the Cross Bronx Expressway Initiative, which claims another dangerous location exists on the Cross Bronx Expressway near the Sheridan Expressway, Dean replied, "Well the specific conditions of Bronx River Parkway, where it had that shorter curb along the edge, but we're looking along the rest of the Bronx River Parkway, but I don't know if the Cross Bronx or the other roads have that, but I will ask our folks and see what they can tell me."

William Rivera of the Cross Bronx Initiative, who sent a letter to state officials back in November, 2011, fired back, "It sounds like a cliche, but seven people didn't have to tragically die to address unsafe conditions."

Attorney Jeff Korek of Gersowitz, Libo and Korek, who represents the only survivor from the 2006 crash, agreed, offering in a prepared statement, "The Bronx River Parkway has been an on-going problem due to, 'patchwork' and 'band aid," repairs and faulty design. A proper safety review of this roadway would have prevented many deaths, including these latest.   

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Rash of Jumpers?

Two Perish in New GWB Suicides

(Photos by David Greene)

By David Greene

For the second time in less than a month, two individuals have jumped to their deaths within hours or days of each other.

According to the Port Authority Police Department, the first incident was reported at 2:45 p.m., on May 9. The second person was spotted jumping off the bridge on Sunday, May 13, at 3:40 p.m.

Regarding the first incident, PAPD press officer Al Dellafave stated, "Witnesses said they observed him on the walkway, at the rail, and that body has not been recovered as of yet."

"Both times," Dellafave continued, "Harbor patrol and the Coast Guard searched, but still those bodies have not been recovered," and neither victim has been identified.

Dellafave could not recall April 1, when two individuals jumped within hours of each other with one body washing up in Manhattan, the other was discovered floating in the Spuyten Duyvil Creek near the Metro North station in Riverdale.

Dellafave explained, "We have so many, they kind of blend into one another."

Asked if there has been an increase in suicides since Tyler Clementi, a Rutgers University student leaped to his death in a highly publicized incident back in September, 2010, Dellafave responded, "No, it's about standard. I don't remember the numbers last year, but we run about eight to fifteen a year."

The press officer continued, "With the George Washington Bridge, the issue there is there is a parking lot and then there's a walkway, so if people have a notion to do that, you can always gain access."

Meanwhile, the FDNY reported a body was discovered in the Hudson River near Battery Park in lower Manhattan at just before 7 a.m. The NYPD reported a second body was pulled from the Manhattan side of the Spuyten Duyvil Creek at 7:30 p.m.

Police say both bodies were too decomposed to be the George Washington Bridge jumpers from Sunday.     

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Mets to Host 2013 All-Star Game

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NEW YORK, NY, May 16– The New York Mets have been awarded Major League Baseball’s 2013 All-Star Game and will host the 84^th Midsummer Classic at Citi Field, Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig announced today at a press conference at City Hall. Commissioner Selig was joined by the Mayor of New York, the Honorable Michael R. Bloomberg, and New York Mets Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Fred Wilpon.

The 2013 All-Star Game will mark the second time that the Mets, who are commemorating their 50^th anniversary in 2012, will host the Midsummer Classic. Shea Stadium hosted the 1964 All-Star Game, a 7-4 National League victory that featured 21 participating Hall of Famers, including Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Sandy Koufax, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays and Frank Robinson, as well as MLB’s Executive Vice President for Baseball Operations, Joe Torre. It will be the ninth All-Star Game in Baseball history to be played in New York City, which is the most of any host city.

Commissioner Selig said, “As we celebrate the franchise’s golden anniversary this year, I am pleased to award the 2013 All-Star Game to the New York Mets and their loyal fans.  We are delighted to bring the Midsummer Classic to Citi Field, a wonderful ballpark that has carried on the remarkable National League tradition in New York City.  The Mets will be superb hosts to next summer’s greatest sporting event.”

"Thanks to the efforts of Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Selig, it's a great honor for everyone at the Mets to host the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field," Wilpon said. "Mets fans and all people in the New York tri-state area and beyond will have the opportunity to take part in the events that Major League Baseball will bring to New York."

“Next year’s All-Star Game is going to demonstrate once again that there’s no place like New York for world-class sporting events,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Major League Baseball clearly recognizes this, since they’re bringing the All-Star Game back to New York for the second time in just five years.”  

The 84^th All-Star Game is tentatively scheduled to be played at Citi Field on Tuesday, July 16, 2013. 

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Clean Sweep of Creep

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Custodian at School Foils Kidnapping of Boy at School

By Michael Horowitz

BRONX, NEW YORK, May 16- A custodian at PS 160, last Friday, reportedly foiled the kidnapping of a 6-year-old boy whose mother had left him in front of the Section 5 school in anticipation of the school's opening.

John Vasquez reportedly interceded to stop the kidnapping of the boy after hearing his screams when a black man, described as in his 50s or 60s, seized the unidentified boy at about 7 a.m.

The boy's mother reportedly left the youngster alone, in front of the school, where Vasquez reportedly saw him after his assailant had seized him.

Vasquez told Channel 7's Eyewitness News that the youngster's mother, on a daily basis, left him in front of PS 160, unattended, up to an hour before the start of PS 160's breakfast program last Friday morning.

The boy's mother reportedly thanked the custodian for rescuing the boy, but it was unclear, as of early this week, why the mother made a practice of leaving her 6-year-old son, unattended, up to an hour before the start of school.

The custodian was reportedly sweeping the floor in front of PS 160 when he interceded on the unattended child's behalf.

The child's attacker was described as a 6 foot 2 husky black man who reportedly had a dark complexion and thick, bushy gray and white facial hair.

As of early this week, police were still seeking the boy's attacker.

Caitlin Franco, the principal of the Equality Charter School (which is housed in PS 160), said, Monday, that she sent a letter home with parents warning them about the dangers of dropping off their children, unattended, before the start of the school day.

The principal of PS 160 could not be reached for comment early this week.

Persons with possible clues or information relating to this case are urged to call the 45^th Precinct Detectives' Squad at (718) 822-5414, or CrimeStoppers at (1-800) 577-TIPS. All information received will be kept confidential if requested. 

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