Yankees Broom Mets, Rivera Reaches 500 Saves
June 28, 2009 · A.J. Martelli · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
The 2009 Subway Series was one-sided to say the least, as the New York Yankees completed a three-game, weekend sweep of their cross town rivals the New York Mets on Sunday night, beating them by a score of 4-2.
Yankee closer Mariano Rivera notched his 500th career save in front of the mixed New York crowd at Citi Field in Queens, and helped his own cause in the top of the ninth.
With the Yankees up 3-2 in the top half of the ninth inning and Rivera at the plate, he drew a bases loaded walk off Mets’ closer Francisco Rodriguez to score Derek Jeter from third, procuring the Yankee lead.
Rivera is only the second player to reach 500 career saves, joining Trevor Hoffman in the 500 saves club. It was his 18th save of 2009, and he also recorded his first career RBI in only his third career at-bat.
“It’s exciting,” Rivera told ESPN after the game about his milestone save.
“I want to thank God and my teammates, but it’s over. We have another game Tuesday that we have to go out and win.”
The Yankees struck for their first three runs right away in the top of the first, getting an RBI double off the bat of Mark Teixeira to score Jeter and Nick Swisher, and later receiving a sacrifice fly from Jorge Posada to score Teixeira.
The Mets were only able to score twice in the bottom of the fourth inning. Fernando Martinez knocked in Gary Sheffield with an RBI double, and Luis Castillo drove in Martinez with an RBI single.
In other good news for the Bronx Bombers, Chien-Ming Wang turned in his longest outing since June 15 of last season.
He went 5.1 innings, gave up two earned runs on four hits, walked three and struck out three.
“He got into some long counts,” Yankee skipper Joe Girardi commented of Wang’s pitching performance.
“I would prefer some shorter counts, but other than that he looks good.”
Wang earned his first win of 2009 and now has a season record of 1-6.
The Yankees owned the Subway Series this season, as they won five of the six games against the Mets and outscored the Amazin’s 44-17 this year.
With the sweep the Yankees head into an off day on Monday, but will finally head home after a nine-game road trip.
From Yankee Stadium Tuesday night, the Bronx Bombers will host the Seattle Mariners.
Joba Chamberlain (4-2, 3.81 ERA) will take on Brandon Morrow (0-3, 5.64 ERA).
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