Damn Yankees

Michael Johnson:  Posted August 14th, 2003 (4.19.03) 

NEW YORK -- The Bronx Bombers are on a mission.  Already among the favorites to go all the way in 2003, the Yanks have made a splash on the newly formed NIBA, going 10-0 to start the season.

"They've been working hard all off-season," said manager Joe Torre.  "They want to make their mark on this new league and carry on the Yankee tradition.  I just hope they can carry this energy through the entire season."

The Texas Rangers experienced that energy firsthand on Sunday.  The subject of a 10 strikeout performance by new Yankee Curt Schilling, the Rangers found out early just how tough this club was.

"We thought we had them," said Ranger Quinton McCracken, who managed to go 4-4 with the only run for Texas against Schilling.  "We were tied in the top of the ninth, but then it just sort of fell apart on us."

Ranger reliever Pedro Borbon, starting his third inning in relief, struck out Jay Gibbons to start the ninth.  All was looking well for the Rangers, who had the home field crowd working toward their advantage.  But then Matsui singled to right center, and up stepped veteran Robin Ventura.

"I wanted to work him inside," Borbon said after the game.  "But then I hung a slider up in the zone, and it was all over."  Ventura turned on the pitch and launched it over the wall in left, taking a 3-1 lead.  The Rangers couldn't answer, as Mariano Rivera earned his first save of the season.

The energy carried with the team back home to New York, where the Yankee depth once again reared it's head.  The Minnesota Twins were putting up a fight in a tremendous battle on Tuesday.  Tied at 10 after nine, the Twins were able to take New York to the bottom of the eleventh inning.  But Mike Williams couldn't hold off the Yankee offense as Jay Gibbons hit a walk off solo home run to take the match in extra innings.

"It's too early to say how good we are," acknowledged Torre.  "The teams we've played have been tough, but we have yet to play our own division.  I'm sure Toronto and Boston will be the real tests as to how good we really are."

But the Rangers and Twins already know.