Taiwan hurler helps lift Yankees past Red Sox
NEW YORK: Taiwanese righthander Chien-Ming Wang allowed only two runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings on Monday while Alex Rodriguez and Jason Giambi belted home runs in the New York Yankees' 6-2 victory over Boston.
The Yankees, 20-23, still trail the Major League Baseball arch-rival Red Sox by 9 1/2 games in the American League East division, but taking the opener of a three-game set in Yankee Stadium helped show they have not quit.
"I still believe we have enough to win this thing," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "We haven't played well but I have faith in the team I've put together."
Wang improved to 3-3, throwing a season-high 114 pitches, while Rodriguez blasted his league-leading 18th homer and third in as many games to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead in the first inning.
Giambi's first homer since May 3, only his second hit in his past 27 times at bat, padded the Yankees' edge to 4-0 in the second inning.
Wang escaped a bases-loaded situation in the second inning, striking out Kevin Youkilis, and began the third by inducing a David Ortiz ground out and striking out Manny Ramirez, baffling two of the best Boston batters.
That opened a run of retiring 12 of 16 batters before Wang surrendered a walk and double to Youkilis, prompted Yankees manager Joe Torre to remove him.
Meanwhile, MLB officials want a word with Giambi after comments he made about steroids and the New York Yankees may want to dump him, according to newspaper reports
The New York Daily News citing unnamed sources saying that the Yankees are considering trying to void Giambi's seven-year deal worth $120 million dollars if it is found he used illegal drugs after his 2001 signing.
USA Today and the News reported that Major League Baseball officials want to meet with Giambi regarding his comments but it was uncertain if disciplinary action would be taken.
AFP/Agencies
(China Daily 05/23/2007 page24)
