推 zdjyepcst:give Ramirez a couple more low-impact outings... 07/04 17:13
Striking debut for rookie
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
BY LISA KENNELLY
Star-Ledger Staff
NEW YORK -- For Edwar Ramirez's major-league debut, Yankees manager Joe
Torre wanted to be sure the situation was as stress-free as possible.
Like the ninth inning of an 8-0 blowout, for example.
After last night against the Twins, it's fair to say the 26-year-old
rookie proved he can handle something a little stickier.
Ramirez struck out the side in the ninth, using a wicked changeup to
blow past the heart of a Twins lineup that included reigning American
League MVP Justin Morneau.
"You want to stay here, you stay here," Ramirez said he told himself as
he took the mound in the ninth. "So let's go."
It was quite the debut for a player the Yankees plucked from the
independent United League a year ago.
Ramirez, who was originally signed as a non-drafted free agent by the
Angels in 2001, started this season at Double-A Trenton and was then
promoted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he was 0-0 with a 0.67
ERA in 15 appearances. His deceptive changeup, which he began developing
in 2004, has been his calling card ever since.
Last night, with his family and friends watching on television in the
Dominican Republic, he became the first Yankee to strike out the side in
his debut since Stan Bahnsen on Sept. 9, 1966 at Boston, according to
the Elias Sports Bureau.
The 6-3, 150-pound Ramirez looks like a kid who would get cut from a
high school junior varsity team, but he impressed his teammates with his
poise, though he admitted to being nervous.
"I'm feeling a little pressure on the last pitch when everybody stood
up," Ramirez said. "I tried to see only Jorgie (Posada) and throw my
pitch."
Ramirez received the lineup card from the game, which he planned to give
to his father. He also earned praise from Torre, who said he still
wanted to give Ramirez a couple more low-impact outings.
"He came in and just threw strikes, it's all he did," Torre said. "It's
nice that we got a look at him in a situation where we could appreciate
it."
Hideki Matsui ices his left knee after every game, but last night he was
receiving treatment on his right knee as well.
"It's just a little fatigued on the right side," said Matsui, who said
the knee had been acting up for two or three days. "It feels like it's a
little bit tired."
Also limping around the clubhouse was Robinson Cano, who was hit by a
pitch on the side of his right foot by Juan Rincon in the sixth inning.
"I'll be okay," Cano said, adding that he expected to play today.
Twins center fielder Torii Hunter was ejected by home plate umpire Ron
Kulpa in the top of the eighth inning. Hunter had struck out looking in
the seventh. Then after Scott Proctor struck out Nick Punto looking to
open the eighth, Hunter charged on the field, yelling and pointing at
Kulpa as teammates held him back and manager Ron Gardenhire got between
him and the umpire.
"I've never seen him that angry," Torre said. "I think it was just
building up from his at-bat."
Hunter also had an error in center in the sixth that allowed Posada to
reach third on a single.
If Alex Rodriguez is able to play today, he will be the DH, Torre said.
That would put Johnny Damon on the bench.
With reigning Cy Young winner left-hander Johan Santana on the mound for
the Twins, Torre said he would sit Bobby Abreu.
Phil Hughes threw a 30-pitch bullpen yesterday, general manager Brian
Cashman said.... Paul O'Neill will attend Saturday's Old Timer's game
for the first time.
The Yankees have signed 2007 third-round draft pick Ryan Pope, a
right-handed pitcher from Savannah College of Art and Design. The
21-year-old went 9-5 with a 1.15 ERA in his junior year.
The Yankees also agreed to terms with 11th-round draft pick Isaiah
Howes, an outfielder from Louisville, and 19th-round pick Taylor
Holiday, an outfielder from UC Irvine.
Lisa Kennelly may be reached at lkennelly@starledger.com
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