news20090919nyt1

[Today's Paper] from [The New York Times]

[Baseball]
Mariners 3, Yankees 2
Suzuki Beats Rivera With 2 Outs in the Ninth
By TYLER KEPNER
Published: September 19, 2009

SEATTLE — A humbling night for Ichiro Suzuki took a sudden and devastating turn for the Yankees’ Mariano Rivera with two outs in the ninth inning at Safeco Field on Friday.

After two called strikeouts in the ninth, Rivera allowed a double to the right-center-field gap by the pinch-hitter Mike Sweeney. That brought up Suzuki, the major league hits leader, who had singled three times off A. J. Burnett but was twice picked off first base.

Rivera said he wanted his first pitch to be “inside, but deep inside,” off the plate. It did not cut deep enough, and Suzuki lifted it over the fence in right field for a 3-2 Seattle Mariners victory. It was the first game-ending homer for Suzuki since he played for the Orix Blue Wave in Japan.

“Mike Sweeney created an opportunity for us, and I just went with the flow he created,” Suzuki said through an interpreter. “It was an at-bat where I went with my emotions.”

Suzuki became the fifth player to hit a game-ending homer off Rivera, following Bill Selby, Bill Mueller, Vernon Wells and Marco Scutaro. Rivera had converted his last 36 save opportunities, the longest streak of his career. But Sweeney and Suzuki ruined it.

“Two pitches cost the game,” Rivera said. “Beautiful game. To do that is unacceptable.”

Seattle starter Felix Hernandez pitched a complete game, and Rivera’s stumble allowed him to bolster his case for the American League Cy Young Award. Hernandez is 16-5 with a 2.45 earned run average; his main competition is Kansas City’s Zack Greinke, who is 14-8 with a 2.14 E.R.A.

Rivera has a case, too, though snapping his saves streak hurts. He had allowed just one earned run in his last 33 appearances before Suzuki struck.

“It just shows he is human,” Manager Joe Girardi said. “When it happens, you’re somewhat surprised. But nobody’s going to be perfect.”

The blown save wasted seven strong innings from Burnett, who had a 6.14 E.R.A. in his previous nine starts. Seven times in those games, he allowed at least three runs in an inning.

This time, Burnett allowed just one run on seven hits, escaping major damage in the third, when the first four hitters reached base. Burnett said he studied video from last season, making sure to turn properly in his delivery and stay tall over the rubber.

More important, though, was a mental adjustment he made. Burnett said repeatedly after the game that he kept his focus throughout his start.

“I think all of it’s mental,” he said. “We’ve been throwing baseballs for a long time now. You should have an idea of where your mechanics are and how to fix them. It’s just a matter of having the right tools upstairs.”

In the third, Suzuki smacked his second single, but Burnett picked him off. It was a costly blunder, because the next batter, Franklin Gutierrez, doubled to center.

Jose Lopez scored Gutierrez with a single, tying the game, 1-1, and bringing the pitching coach Dave Eiland to the mound. Burnett walked Ken Griffey Jr. for the second time, moving Lopez into scoring position.

But from there, Burnett got the outs he needed. Adrian Beltre popped out to Mark Teixeira in foul ground, and Bill Hall flied to center.

“Focus, that’s the bottom line,” Burnett said. “Not letting things bother me, just worrying about the next pitch. Instead of worrying about what might happen, just taking it upon myself to get out of jams.”

Burnett was in little trouble thereafter. Hall doubled to the wall in left-center in the sixth inning, but Burnett kept him there by striking out Jack Hannahan and Rob Johnson, who had no chance at a 95 mile-an-hour fastball with late movement.

In the seventh, Suzuki singled with one out, and Burnett caught him leaning toward second in his lead. He fired a pickoff throw a bit high, but Teixeira slapped the tag in time and pumped his fist in excitement. Mariners Manager Don Wakamatsu argued with the first base umpire, Mike Reilly, and the fans booed.

“Just guessed right,” Burnett said. “Just tried to mix up my holds and the timing of my holds.”

Phil Hughes followed Burnett with a 1-2-3 eighth inning, and Rivera struck out his first two hitters in the ninth, bringing his career strikeout total to 1,000. But there would not be another on Friday, and there would be no victory for Burnett.

“He pitched outstanding,” Rivera said. “He pitched beautiful. The whole game was beautiful until the end.”

INSIDE PITCH

Andy Pettitte, who missed his last start with shoulder stiffness, threw in the bullpen Friday and will start against the Angels on Monday. “I’ll be satisfied Monday when I get through that start,” Pettitte said. “But it was good to get through my normal, long bullpen session and not have any problems, that’s for sure.” ... The Yankees promoted first baseman Juan Miranda, with the right-hander Ian Kennedy expected to follow soon. Kennedy pitched for Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the International League playoffs, his first action since an arm aneurysm shut him down in May. ... Dave Robertson played catch before batting practice and said his elbow felt strong. Robertson, who last pitched Sept. 5, will play catch again before throwing off a mound. The Yankees expect him to return before the end of the regular season. ... Reliever Brian Bruney switched to No. 99 from No. 38. He said there was no special reason for the switch. “Why not?” Bruney said.