[洋基] Another save, another record for Mariano

[unicotexalex (=艾力克斯=)]

Rivera earns fourth All-Star Game save, most in history
http://tinyurl.com/nt2f8s

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com  07/15/09 1:30 AM ET

ST. LOUIS -- Mariano Rivera didn't dare consider that he was protecting
home-field advantage in the World Series for the American League. The
Yankees' closer just did what he always does -- try to get three outs quickly
and go home.

With a perfect ninth inning on Tuesday at Busch Stadium, Rivera secured a 4-3
victory for the Junior Circuit that will have important postseason
ramifications. It was also Rivera's fourth All-Star Game save, moving him
past Dennis Eckersley for the most in Major League history.

I've said it time and time again -- nothing he does surprises me," said
Yankees captain Derek Jeter. "It's just another thing to put on his Hall of
Fame plaque, I guess. He just continues to do things that are impressive."

The 39-year-old Rivera shrugged amid the celebration last month, when he
joined Trevor Hoffman as the only Major League pitchers to record 500 or more
saves, so his reaction on Tuesday was predictable. For Rivera, it has always
been about making sure his team comes out on top.

"It's another save," Rivera said. "We won, and that's the most important
thing for me -- we won. Without the opportunity for my teammates, I could not
accomplish it. It's all right, but we won."

Summoned on Tuesday after the AL took the lead on Curtis Granderson's
eighth-inning triple and Adam Jones' sacrifice fly, Rivera made swift work of
the Senior Circuit in a 13-pitch appearance, taking the advice delivered to
him in a pregame visit by President Barack Obama.

"He was quite interesting -- he was wonderful," Rivera said. "He knew about
the cutter, which was great. He said, 'Keep throwing that cutter.'
Outstanding. I always wanted to meet him, and I thank God I had the chance."

Rivera, a 10-time All-Star, has allowed one unearned run in eight innings
across eight appearances in the Midsummer Classic, including six scoreless
innings in his past six appearances.

"The greatest closer of all time, closing out the All-Star Game," Yankees
first baseman Mark Teixeira said. "That's the way it's supposed to be. He's
the best of all time, and I'm not afraid to say that."

The D-backs' Justin Upton rolled a ground ball to shortstop, the Rockies'
Brad Hawpe went down looking at a nasty cutter on the outside corner and the
Astros' Miguel Tejada popped harmlessly to second base to end the 80th
Midsummer Classic.

"Those National League hitters, it's so tough for them," Teixeira said. "They
don't see Mo, and when Mo is on top of his game, it's almost impossible to
hit him. At the very least, guys that are in our division or the American
League, they see him a lot and maybe can have comfortable at-bats. If you
only see him once every four or five years, good luck."

A veteran of so many high-pressure postseason successes, Rivera said that the
All-Star Game gave him no change in working atmosphere.

"It's not different," Rivera said. "I still have to do my job. I have to make
sure that I get three outs before they score one run. That was basically the
plan."

Rivera's save earned a victory for the Red Sox's Jonathan Papelbon, who had
pitched a scoreless seventh inning. Papelbon -- who made waves last year in
New York when he suggested perhaps he should close at the Yankee Stadium
All-Star Game -- was reverential on the topic of Rivera.

"It was something that is pretty special, especially to me, because of the
guy that closed it," Papelbon said. "Me being the winning pitcher and Mo
saving that game was pretty neat and special. Things like that will probably
be at the top of my memory list throughout my career, for sure."

The NL's final pitcher, Francisco Rodriguez of the Mets, also had admiring
words for Rivera.

"You see how he goes out there and how he makes everything so easy, like it's
not hard at all," Rodriguez said. "In reality, it is really difficult to be
able to pitch in the ninth the way he pitches. He's an outstanding closer,
and he's had a tremendous career. He's future Hall of Famer."

The final out was secured by second baseman Ben Zobrist of the Rays, who said
of the ball, "Let's just say I have it in a very safe place."

Zobrist said that he would talk with Rivera about a potential deal to acquire
the milestone memento.

Asked if he had contacted Zobrist yet, Rivera replied, "No, but I will. I
will."

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