Cabrera hits key double, Yanks win 6th straight

Melky Cabrera hit a go-ahead double in the eighth inning and Mariano Rivera tossed out the first ball — and threw the final pitch — as the New York Yankees beat the Seattle Mariners 8-5 Tuesday night for their sixth straight win.

Mariano honored, tosses first pitch

Two days after securing his 500th career save, Yankees closer Mariano Rivera had the rare distinction of tossing the first pitch as an active player prior to Tuesday's game vs. the Mariners.

Rivera adds to legacy as elite closer

Mariano Rivera has seen all the histrionics by some closers. It's fine, he said, because it's part of their personalities.

Yankees | Rivera earns share of AL Player of the Week honors

The Sports Network reports New York Yankees RP Mariano Rivera earned a share of the American League Player of the Week Award for the period ending Sunday, June 28. Rivera earned three saves in three chances and did not allow a run while striking out six.

Yankees | 500 saves for Rivera

The Associated Press reports New York Yankees CL Mariano Rivera became the second reliever in major league history with 500 saves, joining Milwaukee Brewers CL Trevor Hoffman (571). He picked up the milestone save Sunday, June 28, in a 4-2 win over the New York Mets.

Milestone Man: Rivera earns 500th save for Yankees

Mariano Rivera's 500th save included a surprising bonus: his first RBI.

Rivera converted his 500th career regular season save in Sunday's

Rivera converted his 500th career regular season save in Sunday's win over the Mets. [...]

Mariano Rivera earned his 500th save, becoming the second reliever

News: Mariano Rivera earned his 500th save, becoming the second reliever to reach the milestone, and the Yankees beat the punchless Mets 4-2 on Sunday night for a Subway Series sweep. Chien-Ming Wang won for the first time in more than a year and Rivera got four outs, securing the Yankees' fifth consecutive victory -- all away from home. In a fun twist on a night that belonged to him, Rivera even contributed offensively by drawing a bases-loaded walk from Francisco Rodriguez in the ninth for his first career RBI. It was the third regular-season plate appearance for the 39-year-old closer -- and second in five days. Rivera entered with two on in the eighth and went to a full count on Omir Santos before throwing a called third strike. The right-hander pitched a one-hit ninth for his 18th save in 19 chances this season. He joined Milwaukee's Trevor Hoffman, who has 571 saves, as the only major leaguers with 500. [...]

Friends, foes respect Mo's dominance

Considering Mariano Rivera's place in history, it's not surprising that high praise filtered down from all corners of the baseball both before and after his 500th save.

Mariano Rivera earned his 500th save, becoming the second reliever

News: Mariano Rivera earned his 500th save, becoming the second reliever to reach the milestone, and the Yankees beat the punchless Mets 4-2 on Sunday night for a Subway Series sweep. Chien-Ming Wang won for the first time in more than a year and Rivera got four outs, securing the Yankees' fifth consecutive victory -- all away from home. In a fun twist on a night that belonged to him, Rivera even contributed offensively by drawing a bases-loaded walk from Francisco Rodriguez in the ninth for his first career RBI. It was the third regular-season plate appearance for the 39-year-old closer -- and second in five days. Rivera entered with two on in the eighth and went to a full count on Omir Santos before throwing a called third strike. The right-hander pitched a one-hit ninth for his 18th save in 19 chances this season. He joined Milwaukee's Trevor Hoffman, who has 571 saves, as the only major leaguers with 500. [...]

Rivera redefines gold standard for relief

The gold standard for relief pitching has been escalating for some time, but Mariano Rivera still has it both covered and defined.

Mariano Rivera allowed one hit and fanned two in 1 1/3 innings

Mariano Rivera allowed one hit and fanned two in 1 1/3 innings on Sunday for his 18th save -- the 500th of his illustrious career.

Analysis: Rivera is as good as ever, with him having allowed just two baserunners in 7 1/3 innings over his last seven contests. He should record his seventh straight 30-save season.

Rivera notches 500th career save

Mariano Rivera picked up his 500th career save on Sunday as the Yankees beat the Mets 4-2. Rivera went 1.1 innings and allowed one hit while striking out two.

Our View: 500 saves is majorly impressive, and it just goes to show how good this guy really is. He may be the best closer of our time, and he is still getting the job done today. Expect him to have well over 500 before his career is done.

Mariano Rivera earns 500th save, Yankees beat Mets

Mariano Rivera earned his 500th save, becoming the second reliever to reach the milestone, and the New York Yankees beat the punchless Mets 4-2 on Sunday night for a Subway Series sweep.

Mariano Rivera picked up career save No. 500 by pitching 1 1/3

Mariano Rivera picked up career save No. 500 by pitching 1 1/3 scoreless innings against the Mets on Sunday. He also recorded career RBI No 1 courtesy of a bases-loaded walk in the top of the ninth. [...]

Rivera notches 500th save

Mariano Rivera became just the second member of baseball's prestigious 500-save club on Sunday, getting four outs to preserve a 4-2 Yankees victory in a sweep of the Mets at Citi Field.

Mariano one save away from 500

It only took six pitches for Mariano Rivera to lock down the Yankees' 11-7 victory over the Braves on Thursday, moving one save away from a significant milestone -- his 500th career save.

Mariano Rivera recorded one out to seal his 17th save on Thursday.

Mariano Rivera recorded one out to seal his 17th save on Thursday.

Analysis: They don't get any easier than this. Mo has saves in consecutive days as he works toward his 13th consecutive season of 20-plus saves.

Mariano one save away from 500

It only took six pitches for Mariano Rivera to lock down the Yankees' 8-4 victory over the Braves on Thursday, moving one save away from a significant milestone -- his 500th career save.

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera recorded his 17th save in 18 opportunities

News: Yankees closer Mariano Rivera recorded his 17th save in 18 opportunities this season and the 499th of his career Thursday at Atlanta. He needed only one out to do so, retiring pinch hitter Diory Hernandez on a fly ball. [...]

Rivera collects 17th save

Mariano Rivera collected his 17th save of the season in tonight's 11-7 win at Atlanta. He did not allow a hit or a walk over one third of an inning.

Our View: Rivera is a perfect 7-for-7 on save chances in June. Four closers co-lead the majors with 20 saves, and Rivera is not far behind. Rivera needs one more save for 500 for his career as well.

Rivera collects 17th save

Mariano Rivera collected his 17th save of the season in tonight's 11-7 win at Atlanta. He did not allow a hit or a walk over one third of an inning.

Our View: Rivera is a perfect 7-for-7 on save chances in June. Four closers co-lead the majors with 20 saves, and Rivera is not far behind.

Yankees | Rivera picks up save Thursday

The Associated Press reports New York Yankees RP Mariano Rivera picked up his 499th career save Thursday, June 25. He has converted 17 of 18 saves this year.

Mariano's at-bat a light moment in win

In a light moment during the Yankees' 8-4 win over the Braves, closer Mariano Rivera batted in the ninth inning and brought out a laugh from his teammates.

Yankees RP Mariano Rivera needed four outs Wednesday against

News: Yankees RP Mariano Rivera needed four outs Wednesday against the Braves to pick up a save in a 8-4 win. After Jeff Francoeur's two-out single in the eighth made it 6-4, Rivera relieved with the potential tying runs at first and second. He struck out Kelly Johnson and the side in the ninth for his 498th career save and 16th this season. [...]

Rivera nails down 15th save

Mariano Rivera nailed down his 15th save in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Nationals at Yankee Stadium. He hurled a perfect inning with one strikeout.

Our View: He is a perfect 5-for-5 on save chances in June, and is three saves away from 500 for his career.

Yankees RP Mariano Rivera worked the ninth inning during Tuesday's

News: Yankees RP Mariano Rivera worked the ninth inning during Tuesday's 5-3 win against the Nationals for his 15th save in 16 chances. Rivera retired the side in order and even got Adam Dunn to strikeout. It was his fifth June save. [...]

Yankees | Rivera earns win Friday

New York Yankees CL Mariano Rivera allowed one run on one hit over 1 1/3 innings Friday, June 12, against the New York Mets, according to The Associated Press. He walked one and struck out two, improving to 1-2 on the season.

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera (1-2) worked 1 1/3 innings and

News: Yankees closer Mariano Rivera (1-2) worked 1 1/3 innings and got the win in Friday's 9-8 game against the Mets. He allowed a run in the eighth inning but the Yankees scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth when Luis Castillo dropped a routine pop-up that would have ended the game if he had caught it. It [...]

3 Up: Hughes In The Pen, Lilly In Chicago

Yes, I am on twitter.

1. In this column for the early editions of the Post I contemplated how valuable Phil Hughes could be to the Yankee bullpen. But keeping him as a reliever or not is really a very tough decision. Because the best thing for the 2009 Yankees may turn out to have Hughes' power arm as a key set-up man for Mariano Rivera. But the trade off could be that it stunts his growth as a starter, particularly because it limits his innings, and that hurts the Yankees' future.

The New York Post reports that Mariano Rivera is likely to be

News: The New York Post reports that Mariano Rivera is likely to be rested if a save opportunity were to arise Tuesday night at Boston. Rivera has pitched in each of the team's last three games. Because of the workload, manager Joe Girardi said he's inclined to rest Rivera in the opener at Fenway Park against the Red Sox. "My gut instinct is that I'll probably give him a day off," Girardi said, "but I'll check with him to see how he is." [...]

Yankees | Rivera doesn't want day off

The Journal News' Ernie Palladino reports New York Yankees CL Mariano Rivera has pitched in three straight games but said he'll try to talk manager Joe Girardi out of giving him a day off if a save situations arises Tuesday, June 9.

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera earned his 14th save on Monday

News: Yankees closer Mariano Rivera earned his 14th save on Monday against the Rays. Rivera pitched a perfect ninth inning and capped off the game with a strikeout. His ERA is 3.20. [...]

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, who allowed four runs -- three

News: Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, who allowed four runs -- three earned -- in a loss the night before, bounced back with a perfect inning for his 13th save Sunday against the Rays. He recorded one strikeout. [...]

Rivera holds Rays in 9th, Yanks rally for win

Mariano Rivera bounced back from a poor outing against Tampa Bay, and the New York Yankees played small ball to rally for three runs in the eighth inning of a 4-3 victory over the Rays on Sunday.

Rivera holds Rays in 9th, Yanks rally for win

Mariano Rivera bounced back from a poor outing against Tampa Bay, and the New York Yankees played small ball to rally for three runs in the eighth inning of a 4-3 victory Sunday over the Rays.

Yardwork: No Frauds To Be Seen

As we wait until Game 2 tonight (Or WEC 41! - ED) feel free to talk baseball. I think that’s all that’s on today. If anything cool comes up, send it along - alumnigonzo@gmail.com.Rays 9, Yankees 7: Except for Mariano Rivera! Mo gave up 4 runs (3 earned) in 2/3 of an inning. It was

Yankees | Rivera struggles Saturday

Mike Fitzpatrick, of The Associated Press, reports New York Yankees RP Mariano Rivera allowed four runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning Saturday, June 6, to suffer his second loss of the season.

Mariano Rivera took the loss in Saturday's game against Tampa

News: Mariano Rivera took the loss in Saturday's game against Tampa Bay. He entered the game with the score tied in the ninth inning and allowed a leadoff triple to Ben Zobrist. Zobrist scored on a double by Joe Dillon. Rivera went on to allow four runs -- three earned -- in 2/3 of an inning before being replaced by Phil Coke. [...]

Rivera gave up four runs -- three earned -- on three hits in

Rivera gave up four runs -- three earned -- on three hits in 0.2 innings on Saturday afternoon. [...]

Mariano Rivera was charged with three earned runs in a four-run

Mariano Rivera was charged with three earned runs in a four-run ninth inning against the Rays on Saturday. Rivera was very shaky, giving up a leadoff triple to Ben Zobrist, before Joe Dillon singled him in to give the Rays the lead. [...]

Mariano Rivera was charged with three earned runs in a four-run

Mariano Rivera was charged with three earned runs in a four-run ninth inning against the Rays on Saturday. Rivera was very shaky, giving up a leadoff triple to Ben Zobrist, before Joe Dillon singled him in to give the Rays the lead. [...]

Mariano Rivera was charged with three earned runs in a four-run

Mariano Rivera was charged with three earned runs in a four-run ninth inning against the Rays on Saturday. Rivera was very shaky, giving up a leadoff triple to Ben Zobrist, before Joe Dillon singled him in to give the Rays the lead. [...]

Mariano Rivera was charged with three earned runs in a four-run

Mariano Rivera was charged with three earned runs in a four-run ninth inning for the Rays on Saturday. Rivera was very shaky, giving up a leadoff triple to Ben Zobrist, before Joe Dillon singled him in to give the Rays the lead. [...]

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera earned his 12th save in 13 chances

News: Yankees closer Mariano Rivera earned his 12th save in 13 chances Thursday against Texas. He allowed a pair of base hits and had runners on the corners, but struck out two batters and did not allow a run to shut the door on the Rangers. [...]

Yankees | Rivera earns save Thursday

The Associated Press reports New York Yankees RP Mariano Rivera earned his 12th save in 13 chances Thursday, June 4.

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera pitched a perfect ninth inning

News: Yankees closer Mariano Rivera pitched a perfect ninth inning to record his 11th save Monday at the Yankees. He has allowed only one earned run in his last nine appearances -- a span of 10 1/3 innings. [...]