[新聞] Heat's on Ian as Yanks Revisit Site of '07 Disaster
http://www.nypost.com/seven/04252008/sports/yankees/in_arms_way_107988.htm
IN ARM'S WAY
HEAT'S ON IAN AS YANKS REVISIT SITE OF '07 DISASTER
By JUSTIN TERRANOVA
April 25, 2008 -- Another bug attack would be the least of the problems for the
Yankees and their young pitchers if they struggle this weekend in Cleveland
like the Bombers New York Yankees did in last season's ALDS.
The Bombers have had an up-and-down season thanks to inconsistent hitting and
consistently bad pitching by their two young starters, Phil Hughes and Ian
Kennedy.
Kennedy takes the mound saturday against a potent Indian lineup. Former Yankee
hurler and current YES analyst David Cone said he believes the key for the
soft-tossing Kennedy is throwing first-pitch strikes.
"He is falling behind consistently and finding himself in a lot of hitters'
count," Cone said. "That's kind of recipe for a disaster if you are not a power
pitcher - a pitcher that cannot make a hitter swing and miss."
The struggles of Kennedy and Hughes were emphasized earlier this week when Hank
Steinbrenner insisted the Yankees' best young gun, Joba Chamberlain, be moved
from the bullpen to the rotation. though he supported Kennedy and Hughes,
a statement like that is not likely made if they were both 3-0 with 2.80 ERAs.
"It's a real welcome-to-New York moment for the pitchers," Cone said.
"That's why it is different playing with the Yankees than anybody else. With
Hank taking over, I think people are all trying to get a feel of what the chain
of command is going to be."
Kennedy is 0-2 with a 9.64 ERA in his four starts. Cone does not think Kennedy
should be yanked from the starting rotation. But a bad start against the
Indians, and the 23-year-old could be in trouble.
"It is probably too soon to panic, but at the same time you don't want to see
these young pitchers go backwards," Cone said. "That's the dilemma."
"If you can't get out of the thind inning and you're hurting the team and your
emotional development, then possibly an adjustment may need to be made."
The Yankees and their fans clearly remember the last time they had one of their
young studs on the mound in Cleveland. In Game 2 of the ALDS, Chamberlain came
in to protect a 1-0 lead, but allowed the tying run after being attacked by an
infestation of Lake Erie midges.
The Yankees cannot afford to leave Cleveland without a win in this four-game
series. The same way they could not afford to leave there down 2-0 in the ALDS
last years.
"Idon't think this team can afford to fall 14 games behind like last year,"
Cone said. "If they can kind of hover around .500 until that winning streak
comes, then they can make some progress."
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