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Wang bounces back as Yankees top Athletics

Jun 11, 2008 - 6:40 AM By Al Barba PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- Starting pitchers Chien-Ming Wang and Dana Eveland were looking to turn their fortunes around when the New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics opened their three-game series on Tuesday at McAfee Coliseum.

Both pitchers entered the night in search of a much-need victory after a string of sub-par outings and while each showed himself well, it was Wang who had more to feel good about as the Yankees recorded a 3-1 victory over the Athletics.

Wang (7-2), who allowed one run and seven hits in 7 1/3 innings, was able to produce the big pitch when he needed it. He induced the Athletics to hit into four double plays after Oakland put a runner on base in each of the first six innings.

"I tried to throw (my sinker) to the middle and then it breaks to the outside. Before I tried to throw it to the outside and it would move away," Wang said. "I watched some video of last year and this year - and last year, my arm was quicker. My arm was quicker tonight."

The biggest pitch Wang threw came in the seventh when he faced Kurt Suzuki with one out and the bases loaded and got the Oakland catcher to hit into a double play to keep the Yankees up, 2-1. It marked the second straight at-bat that Suzuki grounded into a double play.

"That's the biggest one he got to Suzuki. We needed a double play there and he got us exactly what we needed," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "That just shows you the type of pitcher he is when he's on."

"That was just a tough game," Athletics left fielder Jack Cust said. "Sometimes, things don't work out."

Wang entered the night with two losses, four no-decisions and a 6.45 ERA in his previous six starts - the longest stretch of his career without a victory. He had allowed at least five runs in each of his last four starts as his ERA grew to 4.57.

"His sinker was great tonight. He gave us 7 1/3, he didn't throw a lot of pitches. (It was) a great outing," Girardi said. "I think anyone needs a good outing when you've had a few bad ones. No matter who you are or how many wins you've had in the last two years. You want to feel good about yourself when you wake up in the morning and more importantly, when you go to bed at night"

Jose Veras came on to record the final two outs of the eighth inning and Mariano Rivera closed out the game by pitching a scoreless ninth to record his 17th save in as many chances this season.

New York scored twice in the first inning as Alex Rodriguez and Jason Giambi produced RBI singles and tacked on an insurance run in the ninth on a solo home run by Melky Cabrera.

Eveland (4-5) was looking to rebound from consecutive ineffective outings in which he posted an 0-1 record and a 10.38 ERA. He went just 4 1/3 innings in each start, allowing 14 hits and 10 runs while walking nine.

He worked six innings Tuesday, allowing four hits and two runs while walking six and striking out three. New York put runners on base in four of the six innings - advancing runners to second in each of those frames - but managed just the two first-inning runs.

"We had a few opportunities (to add to the lead), but when you watch Eveland pitch, he's kind of conveniently wild," Girardi said. "He throws strikes, his ball is moving all over the place. He has good depth on his slider, he throws a change-up. His fastball is cutting at times, sinking at times. He's got interesting stuff that keeps you off-balance. I thought we would be able to tack on but we weren't able to."

As has been the case throughout the season, the Oakland lefthander continued to be victimized by a lack of run support. In nine of his 13 starts, the Athletics have score two or fewer runs.

Eveland said after the game that he has not had the same feel for the ball since being struck on the left wrist by a line drive on May 29.

"It doesn't hurt, I don't feel anything, but I haven't thrown as well," Eveland said. "It might not even be that, it might be in my mind. I need to have one solid outing to get it out of my head."