The Indians waited a bit too long to forge a comeback against the Yankees on Tuesday night. In the Bronx, biding time typically seals a team’s fate.
Veteran Yankees closer Mariano Rivera slammed the door on Cleveland’s late push, sending the Indians to a 4-3 loss at Yankee Stadium. The Tribe struggled to get anything going against New York starter David Phelps and could not break through enough in the final frames against the Yankees’ bullpen.
“Mariano’s got what, 600, or 800,000 saves right now?” Indians first baseman Nick Swisher said.
After setting down the Indians in order in the ninth, the 43-year-old Rivera picked up his 21st save on the season and the 629th save of a storied career that spans 19 years. Rivera has not blown a save against the Indians since July 14, 2002, when Bill Selby powered Cleveland to an improbable victory courtesy of a walk-off grand slam.
Cleveland’s frustrations boiled over shortly after this loss, when Mike Aviles was ejected by home-plate umpire Tony Randazzo for arguing a questionable call during the game’s final at-bat.
Considering that Rivera plans on hanging up his spikes after this season and Wednesday’s series finale will be Cleveland’s final game against New York this summer, this might have been the Tribe’s final look at the likely Hall of Famer. Given the fact that they have not beaten him in more than a decade, the Indians will gladly tip their cap and wish Rivera well in retirement.
Rivera’s latest dismantling of the Tribe sent the club to its 11th loss in 15 games.
The Indians want to reverse that trend as soon as possible.
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