Ivan Rodriguez discovers 'greatest perk' of new job with Yankees--NY Times

Tyler Kepner, NY Times: "At Camden Yards on Sunday, Rodríguez brought disaster within 90 feet. There were two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning when he hesitated before throwing wildly to second base. Brian Roberts was safe on the steal and took third on the error.

• The perilous spot was the perfect time for Rodríguez to learn the greatest perk of life with the Yankees.

• The pitcher before him was Mariano Rivera, the unflappable closer, who envisioned no other outcome but an 8-7 victory over the Baltimore Orioles....

• “He’s amazing, locating the fastball in and out,” Rodríguez said.

“That’s why he’s the best at what he’s doing — throwing that cutter in to lefties, throwing that backdoor cutter to lefties, and throwing that fastball in to right-handers. He don’t miss.”...

• Rivera faced 12 batters this weekend, and only one reached base.

• He saved each game and has converted 31 of 32 chances.
• Throwing three days in a row in a playoff race is the role
• Rivera prepares for
• all year....

Five relievers threw 107 pitches after Darrell Rasner made his shortest start of the season. Rivera and José Veras worked in all three games here, and

• Damáso Marte pitched twice despite elbow inflammation that has bothered him for three weeks."...

From NY Times article byTyler Kepner, "Yankees 8, Orioles 7-An Error? No problem if Rivera is Pitching," 8/24/08

• Notes: Damaso Marte having elbow inflammation for 3 weeks doesn't sound like he's primed for a playoff run. Nice to see this excrutiating game characterized for its essence rather than something it was not, ie "a slug fest." It was a tragic-comedy of errors, first by Jeter, then Nady, and finally Ivan Rodriguez. (sm)

Ivan Rodriguez gives Mo a hug after the 8-7 win vs Orioles, 8/24/08, ap photo

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