Tuesday, July 17, 2007
NY Daily News: A-Rod lets bat do the talking
Rodriguez did clout one of three early Yankees homers, the 496th of his career, but it was Phillips who built on his hitting and fielding heroics Sunday in Tampa with a bloop two-run single to center in the sixth to snap a 4-4 tie and send the Yanks (46-44) to their ninth win in 12 games.
Andy will have to keep this production up if he wants to ward off Mientkiewiczitis. The poor kid is just getting over a case of Cairosis.
Before the game, Torre acknowledged he was enthused after personally watching Igawa throw a bullpen session Saturday in Tampa, a rarity for the Yanks skipper. Torre even indicated that the $46 million lefty still would get a few more chances to prove himself before phenom Phil Hughes returns from his injury rehabilitation to challenge for the No.5 slot.
“This kid pitching tonight is very important,” Torre said of Igawa. “His stuff is good but the biggest part of it is confidence. He knows he’s better than the way he’s been pitching, and obviously we know that too, otherwise we wouldn’t have signed him.”
So confidence is the problem? What about leaving belt high fastballs over the middle of the plate?
Update: TORRE: FARNSWORTH STILL THE MAN IN 8TH
Joe Torre revealed yesterday afternoon that Kyle Farnsworth still has his eighth-inning job. . . .
Farnsworth, who has allowed 13 hits and five runs in his last 10 appearances (nine innings), denied that he is in a rut. He responded to inquiries about his rough stretch with the classic: “Have you ever pitched out there before?”
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