Making Them Suffer Even More

The last time the Yankees were in such a game was in Game 2 of the 2000 World Series against New York. Last night, Mike Mussina retired the first nineteen Boston batters. No runs, no hits, no errors. Up to the plate strode Mark Bellhorn, the same Mark Bellhorn who struck out 177 times and walked 88 times during the regular season, which means that he went to bat an incredible 265 times without hitting the ball. Those who knew this thought he wouldn't break up Mussina's no hitter because he probably wouldn't hit the ball. Oh, he might break up the perfect game with a walk, but not the no hitter.

Mussina got two quick strikes on the Red Sox second baseman but his next pitch was a fastball on the outside of the plate that Bellhorn blasted to deep left center field for a double, breaking up the perfect game and no hitter. Manny Ramirez grounded out to Derek Jeter for the second out and then Mussina, as he has in the past when he has been disappointed, unraveled.

Ortiz singled Bellhorn to third, Millar doubled them both home, Nixon singled Millar home, and Tanyon Sturtze was the new pitcher. Jason Varitek hit a home run and the Yankees 8-0 lead was suddenly 8-5. Cabrera struck out to the end the inning. The Red Sox scored five runs so quickly it didn't seem real.

Now to the last time. The Yankees were coasting along, leading the Mets after eight innings by the score of 6-0. They had roughed up Mike Hampton and with Roger Clemens on the mound pitching a shut out, the result was a forgone conclusion. But managers no longer allow starting pitchers, even starting pitchers who are pitching a shut out in the World Series, even starting pitchers named Roger Clemens, to complete what they started. Joe Torre brought in Jeff Nelson. Edgardo Alfonso singled and Mike Piazza, who by this time had recovered from almost being speared by his own broken bat when Clemens threw it towards him earlier in the game, hit a home run. Future Yankee Robin Ventura singled and Nelson was gone. Mariano Rivera, who thought he would have the night off, just as he thought he would have last night off, was summoned by Torre.

Future Yankee Todd Zeile hit a fly ball to deep left center field where the underrated and under appreciated Clay Bellinger made a great catch, leaping above the top of the wall to rob Zeile of a two run home run. Rivera now faced Benny Agbayani with Ventura at first and the Yankees ahead 6-2. Agbayani singled Ventura to second and the runners moved up on a passed ball, bringing up Lennie Harris, who forced Ventura at the plate. With two on and two outs, Jay Payton hit a three run home run. Rivera struck out Kurt Abbott to end the game.

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