Mariano Rivera has pitched three innings or more just twice in his postseason career. The first time was in Game 2 of the 1995 division series, and then in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS against the Red Sox. Rivera won the former, and, of course, Aaron Boone made sure he won the latter.With the rest of the Yankees' bullpen struggling, Joe Girardi wouldn't hesitate turning to Rivera for a multi-inning save Wednesday in Game 6 of the World Series.
Rivera has already pitched two or more innings three times this postseason, most recently during a 3-1 win in Game 2 of the World Series. But would he be able to pitch three if needed?
"Hopefully we don't need it, but whatever I have to do, whatever it takes to win the game," said Rivera, who has pitched in more World Series games than anyone in history. "It's a big game for us tomorrow and I have to be ready for it."
Rivera has pitched two or more innings on consecutive days only once in his postseason career: Games 4 and 5 of the 2004 ALCS. Both resulted in blown saves; they are two of the four he has blown in his career. Still, Rivera believes he'd be capable of pitching two innings in both Game 6 and 7, if necessary.
"Hopefully," he said, "but we don't think about it. We need to think about tomorrow."
Victorino questionable for Game 6: Shane Victorino, who was hit by an A.J. Burnett pitch in the first inning of Game 5, had his injured right index finger examined by a doctor in Philadelphia on Tuesday. X-rays of his hand taken during Game 5 were negative. "They just said he's day-to-day, and they said he's going to have some soreness in his finger," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "We'll see." If Victorino can't start, Ben Francisco would likely play center field. Francisco replaced Victorino in the eighth inning on Monday night.
Gardner's back's OK: Brett Gardner said he jarred his lower back crashing into the wall when he robbed Jayson Werth of an extra-base hit in the fifth inning of Game 5. He temporarily had the wind knocked out of him. "I thought I was going to die for about three or four seconds, then I felt like I was fine," Gardner said. "By the time (Nick) Swisher got over there he was joking with me, saying I just wanted to get on TV. That lifted my spirits a little bit."
Extra bases: Girardi has not announced who will start in the outfield in Game 6. Jerry Hairston Jr. played right field for Swisher when the Yankees faced Wednesday's starter, Pedro Martinez, in Game 2. Hairston is 10 for 27 lifetime against Martinez. Swisher is 0 for 2 lifetime against Martinez but hit a home run in Game 3 and has reached base five times in the last three games. Eric Hinske (8 for 30, one home run, seven RBI vs. Martinez) is also an option. ... Manuel said there was nothing to the confrontation between Cole Hamels and Brett Myers following Game 5. Myers reportedly feigned surprise when he saw Hamels in the clubhouse, playing off Hamels comments following Game 3 that he couldn't wait until the season was over. The two needed to be separated. "They're friends," Manuel said. "When you say, ?Manny being Manny' or something like that, well, Brett was being Brett." ... This is the first time since 2003 the World Series has lasted at least six games but the 61st time in history. The team leading 3-2 is just 23-37 in Game 6s but has won the series 40 times.
Rivera has already pitched two or more innings three times this postseason, most recently during a 3-1 win in Game 2 of the World Series. But would he be able to pitch three if needed?
"Hopefully we don't need it, but whatever I have to do, whatever it takes to win the game," said Rivera, who has pitched in more World Series games than anyone in history. "It's a big game for us tomorrow and I have to be ready for it."
Rivera has pitched two or more innings on consecutive days only once in his postseason career: Games 4 and 5 of the 2004 ALCS. Both resulted in blown saves; they are two of the four he has blown in his career. Still, Rivera believes he'd be capable of pitching two innings in both Game 6 and 7, if necessary.
"Hopefully," he said, "but we don't think about it. We need to think about tomorrow."
Victorino questionable for Game 6: Shane Victorino, who was hit by an A.J. Burnett pitch in the first inning of Game 5, had his injured right index finger examined by a doctor in Philadelphia on Tuesday. X-rays of his hand taken during Game 5 were negative. "They just said he's day-to-day, and they said he's going to have some soreness in his finger," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "We'll see." If Victorino can't start, Ben Francisco would likely play center field. Francisco replaced Victorino in the eighth inning on Monday night.
Gardner's back's OK: Brett Gardner said he jarred his lower back crashing into the wall when he robbed Jayson Werth of an extra-base hit in the fifth inning of Game 5. He temporarily had the wind knocked out of him. "I thought I was going to die for about three or four seconds, then I felt like I was fine," Gardner said. "By the time (Nick) Swisher got over there he was joking with me, saying I just wanted to get on TV. That lifted my spirits a little bit."
Extra bases: Girardi has not announced who will start in the outfield in Game 6. Jerry Hairston Jr. played right field for Swisher when the Yankees faced Wednesday's starter, Pedro Martinez, in Game 2. Hairston is 10 for 27 lifetime against Martinez. Swisher is 0 for 2 lifetime against Martinez but hit a home run in Game 3 and has reached base five times in the last three games. Eric Hinske (8 for 30, one home run, seven RBI vs. Martinez) is also an option. ... Manuel said there was nothing to the confrontation between Cole Hamels and Brett Myers following Game 5. Myers reportedly feigned surprise when he saw Hamels in the clubhouse, playing off Hamels comments following Game 3 that he couldn't wait until the season was over. The two needed to be separated. "They're friends," Manuel said. "When you say, ?Manny being Manny' or something like that, well, Brett was being Brett." ... This is the first time since 2003 the World Series has lasted at least six games but the 61st time in history. The team leading 3-2 is just 23-37 in Game 6s but has won the series 40 times.
