Most would wonder why Pena had to even step in today, well before Friday’s game even got started some sports reporters were on hand to witness a moment that would make most Yankees fans heart drop. As All-Star third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who was shagging baseballs during batting practice was drilled by a Lance Berkman ball. The ball made a bee line for Rodriguez’s leg and would leave the slugger on the ground for a good five minutes before paramedics and trainers could attend to the injury.

“I hit it and obviously had a great view of it. I was just [saying], ‘Look out!’” said Berkman who was taking some right-handed at bats at the time. The switch hitter continued by saying, “It was on him. I just remember hitting it and cringing. It was headed right for him. It was hard. I hope he’s not out very long.”

The newly acquired designated hitter felt bad saying, “I just told him when he was coming off the field, ‘Sorry about that.’ I clearly didn’t mean to it wasn’t like I was trying to hit him. That is just one of those things about batting practice. I think we’ve all been hit before.”

Rodriguez finally got up and walked slowly into the New York dugout, to get X-Rays which later turned out to be negative. Thankfully for the 49,716 in attendance Ramiro Pena stepped in and has done what he has all season long, produce with runners in scoring position. Pena who has hit safely in five of his last eight starts, going 7-for-25 for a .280 batting average, with four runs batted in and three runs in those contest.

In Friday’s huge start against the Red Sox Pena was 1-for-3 while driving in two runs. The second run that Pena drove in gave the Yankees the 5-2 lead and the eventually victory. There were other highlights in same game as the utility player put on a display of speed and fine defensive plays helping to turn several ground ball outs for New York.

“Pena has done a tremendous job for us this season,” manager Joe Girardi said of his young utility player after the game. “He has done a really good job for us in many key situations without getting much playing time and it is amazing to see.”

The utility player had this to say of his performance today, “I feel good about it, it was good to be given the opportunity, and it’s tough because of Alex’s injury. You just want to help the team win and that is it-that is my job.”

Pena along with a fifth-inning rally helped to propel the Yankees to a huge Game Two victory over the Red Sox. As the team now improves to 2-3 on their current home stand, that coupled with Tampa Bay’s loss to Toronto helps to extend the Yankees lead in the American League East to 1.5 games.

Also monumental in the victory today was the pitching of lefty C. C. Sabathia, who in recording his 150^th win of his career, benefited from not only a day off but a birth in his family. The starter went eight innings that were of the grind it out variety, giving up six hits, striking out four batters while only giving up two runs one walk and one home run. Two of the biggest strike outs for Sabathia in today’s game were both against designated hitter David Ortiz.

“Sabathia is a guy with a high winning percentage,” Girardi said after the game. “He eats up a lot of innings so usually the bullpen isn’t going to be used on most of the days that he starts.

For Sabathia he was able to snap a two-game losing streak, while winning for the 10^th time in his last 13 starts. The lefty is now undefeated in his last 18 starts at Yankee Stadium since the 2009 All-Star Break, going 13-0 with a 2.25 ERA.

“Sabathia really stepped it up for us today, he only gave up two runs in that first inning and for the most part he shut them down,” Girardi said after the game. “This Boston team still has a lot of dangerous bats and for the most part he was able to shut them down.” The manager would continue to say, “C. C. is a really special pitcher. Who knows maybe by getting this win today he will be on a roll now.”

When asked after the game how he felt the lefty had this to say, “I feel good, my fastball was working today along with my secondary stuff. Overall my command was good and it helped us get the win.” The lefty would also go on to say about the extra day, “It did help, it is an exciting week for us and I am glad to have been able to go out there and get us the win.”

On his milestone Sabathia said, “It is very cool and is something that I will celebrate later on. Right now I am worried about the next start and continue to pitch like I did today.”

Also contributing to the Yankees offense in the victory over the Red Sox was outfielder Curtis Granderson. Who before the game started Girardi had hoped would start to go on a hitting streak. Well nothing starts a hitting streak better than a 2-for-4 day, which includes a hard hit triple (8) off the center field bullpen wall, to set the stage for Pena. The utility player would hit a ground out which would plate Granderson and tie the score 2-2 in that inning.

New York would have that bottom of the fifth-inning rally, as four batters all were able to lace singles. Nick Swisher, Mark Teixeira, Robinson Cano and Jorge Posada were all involved in giving New York a 4-2 lead. Posada was able to steal his first base of the 2010 season during Lance Berkman’s at bat to try to force in another run. Unfortunately for the designated hitter, Berkman continued to struggle and heard some boos from the Yankee Universe.

The Skipper is not concerned about his new acquisition saying, “He seems like an even keel guy, I am sure he (Berkman) has been through slumps before and knows how to work his way out of it.”

Leading the way for the Red Sox was starter John Lackey, who did well but could not make it through a very daunting Yankee lineup. The righty went six innings, giving up eight hits while striking out seven batters. Lackey gave up five runs and walked three in what was a solid outing. The lone offense for the Red Sox came off the bats of Victor Martinez who clubbed a home run (10) to left field over the State Farm sign. Adrian Beltre (2-for-4) ripped a double (33) down the left field line to set the stage for Mike Lowell who would bring Beltre home with a double (6) of his own.

Game three of this four-game series will take place on Sunday, August 8 as righty A.J. Burnett (9-9, 4.93 ERA) takes on righty Josh Beckett (3-1, 5.70 ERA) with the first pitch scheduled for 8:05 p.m. for the ESPN televised game.

Story originally posted on www.latinosports.com

Mets skipper Jerry Manuel spoke with respect of the 35 year-old starter, “To see him get through six innings with that very good lineup was very impressive. He looked liked he’d never flinch.” Yankees manager Joe Girardi saw no differences between the two shutout performances of Takahashi, “I thought he was pretty similar to the last time.”

Catcher Rod Barajas, who was behind the plate the entire game, assessed the importance of Takahashi in the rotation, “He’s shown us that he can handle any situation. He’s an unbelievable asset for us to have.” Takahashi raised his won/loss mark to 6-2 and lowered his ERA to 3.13.

Javier Vazquez, the Yankees starter, continued his mastery of the cross-town rivals, but received the loss. Vazquez threw seven innings for the fourth consecutive game. The only run off Vazquez came in the first. David Wright smacked a two-out double to left and crossed the plate after a single to right by first baseman Ike (son of former Yankees reliever Ron) Davis. The hit was the first Vazquez had given up to a left-handed batter the previous 30 lefty at bats. In 13 innings against the Mets this season, Vazquez has only surrendered four hits and two earned runs.

Vazquez, who was much maligned early in the season, has pitched very effectively in seven of his last eight appearances. In his last four starts, Vazquez has pitched 28 innings and only given up seven earned runs and 14 base hits.

Both clubs are having excellent seasons are in the running for spots in the playoffs. The Mets victory was its eighth straight. The team only trails Atlanta by a half game in the National League East. The Mets and Padres, with records of 39-28, are tied for the N.L. Wild Card spot. Angel Pagan, who with a two-run double in the eighth gave his team breathing room, spoke with great enthusiasm of his club, “We believe in team. There’s no doubt we believe in the talent. We have right now. Everybody’s pumped. Everybody is doing their job. We’re playing great baseball, so what else can you ask for? It’s fun when you win.

The Yanks are tied for first place in the American League East with the best record in the majors. When asked about the three consecutive losses, Girardi replied, “We’re not hitting right now. The last three days, we haven’t swung the bat pretty well. You can’t jump off a bridge. This is a long season. We’re tied for first with a 41-26 record.” The pitching duels may very well continue on Saturday and Sunday. Phil Hughes and Mike Pelfrey, with identical 9-1 marks, go on Saturday. Aces of the staffs, CC Sabathia and Johan Santana meet on Sunday afternoon.

The Nationals moved a game ahead of the Mets, now second place in the National League East standings, and for the second straight game a Mets player, this time Jose Reyes was ejected from the game for disputing a called third strike. Does the lack of hitting, and ejection of David Wright the day before and now Reyes have Mets manager Jerry Manuel frustrated?

“It’s a team concern, no doubt about it,” said Manuel about the lack of getting runs home. His team fanned 11 more times at the plate after 14 were struck out by San Francisco Giants pitching the day before. “We will do what we can to address the approach,” added Manuel. “When situations come, basically breathe and enjoy.”

But the Mets have not been able to enjoy much after an early season eight-game wining streak. The starting pitching has not been effective which ahs taken a toll on their bullpen, though this time against the Nationals there was no opportunity for another blown save.

John Maine gave up two runs on seven hits in six innings giving up back-to back home runs in the third inning to Adam Kennedy and Ryan Zimmerman. The over used Pedro Feliciano, leading National League pitchers out of the pen, gave up a deciding run in the eighth.

As for Reyes getting ejected, which also led to Manuel getting heaved from the game the manager said, “It doesn’t bother me when a guy is passionate what he does.”  But Wright being ejected Sunday in the ninth inning, which left the Mets short, could have caused Jason Bay to play third base had the game gone to extra innings.

The Reyes ejection may have come out of frustration, another close pitch that caught him looking and stranding two more runners on. That left Manuel to say, “Hopefully, when one guy gets that big hit….”  Meaning hitting is contagious as was the case two weeks ago during the wining streak.

It was a run scoring single by Ivan Rodriguez off Felician that became the decisive run.  The veteran Rodriquez, in his first year with Washington, had a 4-for-4 night at the plate and has been instrumental in handling the young Nationals pitching staff.

“What happened in Washington the last couple of years is already over,” said Rodriquez. “This is 2010,” he said. “We have a team. We’re focused now. We play the game now.”  Miguel Batista was the last of five Nationals pitchers and recorded his first save of the season despite giving up a one-out solo home run to Angel Pagan in the ninth.

But as the series continues against the Nationals Tuesday evening, the lack of getting runs home from Jason Bay, David Wright and Jeff Francoeur have to be a continued concern.

“We have good hitters, have a history of good hitters,’ said Manuel. “Hopefully it is a matter of time.” It better be a matter of time, because the Mets as a team are going to need to score runs if they are going to have any type of respectable season.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

“More important to get the win tonight,” commented Soriano who helped the Cubs snap a four game losing streak and assured the Mets from winning their first series of the season,  Soriano got the Cubs lone extra base hit, a double the night before.

Soriano is hitting .464 with three walks, four runs, five doubles, a triple, home run and five runs batted in in his last nine games. He drove in three runs and also had a walk and a triple. “The offense came out tonight I hope tomorrow it will do the same,” he said as the Cubs got 14 hits off Mets pitching,

Olive Perez (0-2) got the loss in his third start of the season for New York.  He went five innings allowing three runs, two of them earned on eight hits. But once again the middle part of the Mets lineup continued to struggle. Jeff Francoeur went 0-for-4, now hitless in his last 22 at bats. Jason Bay did get a hit and reached base on a walk.  And David Wright did drive in a run but struck out with men on base.

In total the Mets left 12 more runners on base which added to their league high. “Think once they get a few hits, any type of hits, they get it going,” said Mets manager Jerry Manuel who may sit down Bay, Francoeur, or even Wright in the next day or so.

As Manuel explained, regarding the middle part of his lineup,” I don’t see lethargic legs…every now and then a break is good.” That may also mean the plan to drop Jose Reyes to third in the order and putting Angel Pagan in the leadoff spot. Reyes in that hole may produce some offense against the right handed pitching the Mets will see in upcoming home games with the Braves and Dodgers.

Manuel did say he has three different lineups on his desk Wright would like to see his bat going. “It’s our turn to return the favor when they are struggling, a bit,” said Wright.  He was referring to Rod Barajas, Reyes and Luis Castillo who each drove in a run. Barajas hit his third home run of the season in the second inning to left field off Cubs starter Carlos Silva (2-0) who went six innings, giving up two hits and striking out four. Silva has given up two earned runs in his last 19 innings.

The Cubs needed the win, just as more as the Mets needed to start a winning streak. Perez did his best working out of trouble but admitted he did not have his best pitch going for him, “My fastball wasn’t going where I wanted it to so I had so I had to throw a lot more changeups and breaking balls,” he said.

So after getting a quality start from Mike Pelfrey the night before, the Mets will try and take the final game of this four game series Thursday evening when their ace Johan Santana gets the ball.  The other aspect that has hindered the pitching staff is giving up the walk, nine more, a stat that also leads the league.

Manuel may mix and match more out of the pen, where most of the walks are coming from. It was not Perez losing control this time.  But the offense is a concern also, and Manuel may be forced to make a lineup change.

“I will sleep on that one,” he said.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

The confidence also attributed to K-Rod, who got the win for starter Mike Pelfrey, now 4-0. And Rodriguez got his fourth consecutive save in as many nights, perfect nine times now coming in a game as he retired Jimmy Rollins and stranded Matt Stairs at second who had walked.

The confidence that has Carlos Beltran, batting .382, leading the National League in hitting and fourth highest in baseball, also hitting his fifth home run of the season in the first inning. A two-run homer that led to a Mets four run first inning that went along with a two-run homer from David Wright.

“We had a little bump early and the confidence has always been there,” said Wright who went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and two runs batted in. Two home runs over the past nine games from Wright, including two doubles and a triple, a .406 average over that span certainly builds confidence.

It was the second time this season Beltran and Wright hit two-run home runs in the first inning. Wright has also found the fences at Citi Field. His third long ball of the season, Pelfrey winning his second game against Philadelphia this month, and of course K-Rod staying perfect certainly helps/

This is something the Mets need to overtake the Phillies in the NL East race.  The past two seasons, those September collapses were attributed to the big bats of Beltran and Wright going cold.  The bullpen failed to have a closer like Rodriguez who is on pace to save 62 more games this season.

But can K-Rod continue to come out of the pen so often in order to keep this confidence building for the Mets?  “I am not going to change my routine,” K-Rod responded when asked if he could come and save a fifth straight Friday evening at Citi Field when the Mets open a three game series with Pittsburgh.

“Mentally after the seventh inning,” he said, “I always make sure I’m doing my routine. You have to be prepared when that phone rings; make sure you’re prepared,” he said also commenting that every game counts at the end.

And indeed every game does count, and these Mets know how important it is to have a guy like K-Rod that can be depended on to get the win. It builds confidence that certainly was lacking for Manager Jerry Manuel last September. Now he has K-Rod and doesn’t have to mix and match out of the pen to preserve a win.

“The more he pitches the better he feels,” said Manuel who also sounds more and more like a confident manager. Because he has a closer that can do it, Pelfrey continues to make adjustments and has improved, and of course the confidence of calling on K-Rod that makes a starting pitcher that much better at the end.

“Don’t think you can get 62 Saves without throwing a lot,” added Pelfrey about his closer. And the Mets offense getting six or more runs for Pelfrey while he was on the mound added more confidence.

Said Beltran, “There’s no better feeling than how you feel at the plate.”  And no better feeling for the Mets right now. They are confident and go for five straight and perhaps five straight saves from K-Rod Friday evening.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring 786@aol.com