Post by Fish Troll on May 13, 2007 18:09:19 GMT -5
Ramirez helps Mariners hold off Yanks
Lefty continues strong home pitching; Putz earns ninth save
By Jim Street / MLB.com
SEATTLE -- Left-hander Horacio Ramirez continued to spin some home-field magic on Sunday afternoon at Safeco Field, holding the Yankees to one run for 6 1/3 innings as the Mariners handed the visitors a 2-1 loss in front of 46,181, the second sellout in the three-game series.
Right-handed reliever Brandon Morrow, the second of three relievers used by manager Mike Hargrove, struck out Alex Rodriguez with runners on first and second in the eighth inning, and J.J. Putz pitched the ninth for his ninth save in nine save chances.
Ramirez, who is now 3-0 with a 1.45 ERA at home, has been fighting an every-other-inning syndrome on the road.
He pitched brilliantly in odd-numbered innings during his starts in Boston and Detroit, but struggled mightily in even-numbered innings. In back-to-back road losses, Ramirez surrendered no runs in the first, third and fifth innings, but 14 runs in the second, fourth and sixth frames.
But it was home sweet home again on Sunday. Ramirez was perfect for three innings and strong for the next two before allowing a run in the sixth inning, when Johnny Damon singled, stole second and scored on Derek Jeter's two-out single to left field on a 3-0 pitch.
Former Mariner Rodriguez sent Ichiro Suzuki to the warning track in right-center field to end the inning.
The Mariners grabbed a 1-0 lead in the third inning, and a wild throw by Rodriguez at third base was a big help.
Suzuki was on first base with one out when Jose Vidro hit a grounder behind third base. Rodriguez made a backhanded stop, straightened up and threw the ball about five feet over first baseman Josh Phelps' head.
That put runners on second and third, and Raul Ibanez used his pink bat, in honor of Mother's Day, to drill a line drive to center field. Vidro was held up at third and Richie Sexson bounced into an inning-ending double play.
Seattle expanded its lead by one run in the fourth inning, but it could have had a lot more.
The Mariners loaded the bases with none out. Jose Guillen led off with a double, and Adrian Beltre walked on four pitches. Shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt, attempting to sacrifice both runners into scoring position, made such a good bunt that he beat it out for a single.
Jose Lopez hit a sacrifice fly, but Yankees starter Andy Pettitte retired the next two batters to escape the jam.
Jim Street is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Lefty continues strong home pitching; Putz earns ninth save
By Jim Street / MLB.com
SEATTLE -- Left-hander Horacio Ramirez continued to spin some home-field magic on Sunday afternoon at Safeco Field, holding the Yankees to one run for 6 1/3 innings as the Mariners handed the visitors a 2-1 loss in front of 46,181, the second sellout in the three-game series.
Right-handed reliever Brandon Morrow, the second of three relievers used by manager Mike Hargrove, struck out Alex Rodriguez with runners on first and second in the eighth inning, and J.J. Putz pitched the ninth for his ninth save in nine save chances.
Ramirez, who is now 3-0 with a 1.45 ERA at home, has been fighting an every-other-inning syndrome on the road.
He pitched brilliantly in odd-numbered innings during his starts in Boston and Detroit, but struggled mightily in even-numbered innings. In back-to-back road losses, Ramirez surrendered no runs in the first, third and fifth innings, but 14 runs in the second, fourth and sixth frames.
But it was home sweet home again on Sunday. Ramirez was perfect for three innings and strong for the next two before allowing a run in the sixth inning, when Johnny Damon singled, stole second and scored on Derek Jeter's two-out single to left field on a 3-0 pitch.
Former Mariner Rodriguez sent Ichiro Suzuki to the warning track in right-center field to end the inning.
The Mariners grabbed a 1-0 lead in the third inning, and a wild throw by Rodriguez at third base was a big help.
Suzuki was on first base with one out when Jose Vidro hit a grounder behind third base. Rodriguez made a backhanded stop, straightened up and threw the ball about five feet over first baseman Josh Phelps' head.
That put runners on second and third, and Raul Ibanez used his pink bat, in honor of Mother's Day, to drill a line drive to center field. Vidro was held up at third and Richie Sexson bounced into an inning-ending double play.
Seattle expanded its lead by one run in the fourth inning, but it could have had a lot more.
The Mariners loaded the bases with none out. Jose Guillen led off with a double, and Adrian Beltre walked on four pitches. Shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt, attempting to sacrifice both runners into scoring position, made such a good bunt that he beat it out for a single.
Jose Lopez hit a sacrifice fly, but Yankees starter Andy Pettitte retired the next two batters to escape the jam.
Jim Street is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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