MOUNT WOLF, Pa. (AP) — A New York man has been jailed in the beating death of his ex-girlfriend and the related robbery of her mother's Pennsylvania home last month.
Police say 18-year-old Edia Lawrence of the Bronx used a ball bat to beat Ahshantianna (ah-shan-tee-AHN'-ah) Johnson about 3 a.m. March 25.
That's when police say Lawrence and two still-unidentified men broke into Johnson's mother's home and made the woman call Johnson and tell her to come home. Police say Lawrence believed the 19-year-old Mount Wolf woman had stolen money that he earned dealing drugs. The couple had dated and been classmates in high school.
Johnson never regained consciousness and died five days after she was beaten.
Lawrence was arraigned Wednesday and doesn't have an attorney listed in court papers. He's charged with criminal homicide, conspiracy, robbery and other counts.
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Saturday, April 15, 2017
NY Assembly minority releases priorities for rest of session
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The New York state Assembly Minority says its members will pursue lower taxes, tackle upstate unemployment and demand government oversight for the remainder of the state legislative session.
Assembly minority leader Republican Brian Kolb announced the group's priorities following the passage of the state budget last week.
Kolb says Republicans in the Assembly will continue to target programs to make New York more affordable, public programs more accountable and help benefits to families and communities.
The group will focus on increasing oversight for public agencies, tax breaks for small businesses and a bill that would address domestic violence prevention by creating a registry of violent felony offenders.
Lawmakers are scheduled to return to Albany April 24 and work until June 21.
Friday, April 7, 2017
Harvey looks like ace of old; Mets top Braves 6-2
By RONALD BLUM
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — Matt Harvey walked from the mound to the dugout and raised his glove with his pitching hand, acknowledging fans chanting his name.
At least for a night, The Dark Knight returned.
"I obviously have one less rib, but I feel strong and ready to go," Harvey said after leading the New York Mets over the Atlanta Braves 6-2 on Thursday in his return from major surgery.
Harvey (1-0) won for the first time since May 30. In his previous appearance on July 4, he was chased by Miami in the fourth inning and stared at the field from the dugout, a white towel draped over his left shoulder, a despondent look on his face.
"I remember getting booed off the field last year, so I think kind of flipping that switch a little bit and keep moving forward," he said. "It was exciting."
Travis d'Arnaud hit a go-ahead, two-run double and Wilmer Flores a two-run homer against Jaime Garcia (0-1), who made his Atlanta debut after eight seasons with St. Louis.
A year after returning from Tommy John surgery and helping the Mets reach the World Series for the first time since 2000, Harvey struggled to a 4-10 record with a 4.86 ERA in 2016. He felt numbness in his fingertips against the Marlins and did not pitch again, undergoing surgery July 18 to correct a Thoracic Outlet Syndrome injury caused by the compression of nerves, blood vessels or both in the area between the neck and armpit.
Harvey was 0-4 with a 5.89 ERA in five spring training starts. The 28-year-old right-hander's fastball was consistently in the 93-94 mph range — even reaching 96 mph — and he needed six pitches to get through the first inning, eight in the second, 10 in the third and 11 in the fourth.
"You're going to look hopefully in the middle of the summer and he's going to be back to where he was," Mets manager Terry Collins said . "Now, is he going to be throwing 98 again? I don't know. I don't have a crystal ball. But I think Matt Harvey can pitch as good as anybody when he's at 93 to 95, and he showed it tonight."
With the Mets in Harvey's favored blue jerseys for the first time this season, he allowed three hits in 6 2/3 innings, leaving after Matt Kemp's second solo home run. Harvey threw 55 of 77 pitches for strikes, fanned four and walked none in a game that breezed by in 2 hours, 28 minutes.
"The demeanor, even when he ran out to the bullpen, reminded me of a couple of years ago," said d'Arnaud, the Mets catcher.
Acquired from the Cardinals in a December trade, Garcia gave up four runs and six hits in six innings, and both batters he walked scored. Garcia became the Braves' first left-handed starter since Manny Banuelos on Sept. 6, 2015.
"The way Harvey was going, any runs were probably too many tonight," Braves manager Brian Snitker said.
D'Arnaud doubled to the left-center gap on a hanging curveball in the fifth for a 2-1 lead and Flores drove a low breaking ball about 3 feet from the left-field foul pole in the sixth. Flores hit .340 with 11 home runs in 100 at-bats against lefties last year.
Trailing 6-2, Atlanta loaded the bases in the eighth before Fernando Salas struck out Dansby Swanson.
Kemp, who also has four doubles this week, homered in the fifth and seventh innings for his 11th multihomer game.
"Long season," he said. "Just got to keep going."
AT THE TOP
Mets leadoff hitter Jose Reyes singled in the seventh, ending his 0-for-12 start. Braves leadoff hitter Ender Inciarte reached on a broken-bat infield hit in the eighth, his first hit in 13 at-bats this season.
A FIRST
Brandon Phillips went 0 for 3. He had gotten a hit in all 35 of his previous road games at the Mets, the longest road hitting streak at one opponent since Joe Medwick of the St. Louis Cardinals hit in 46 consecutive games at Brooklyn from 1933-37.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Mets: RHP Noah Syndergaard, who left the opener after six innings because of a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand, expects to start Sunday. The Mets are giving him an extra day of rest. "They don't have to amputate it," quipped Syndergaard, who has been putting a cream on it.
UP NEXT
Braves: With poor weather forecast, the Braves flip-flopped their rotation and RHP Mike Foltynewicz (9-5 last year) will start Friday's series opener at Pittsburgh. RHP R.A. Dickey (10-15 with Toronto) was pushed back to Saturday because the Braves worried his knuckleball might be less effective on a wet night.
Mets: RHP Zack Wheeler is to start Friday's series opener against Miami, his first big league appearance since Sept. 25, 2014. Wheeler injured his elbow pitching against Miami in a spring training game on March 9, 2015, and had surgery 16 days later to repair a torn right ulnar collateral ligament.
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — Matt Harvey walked from the mound to the dugout and raised his glove with his pitching hand, acknowledging fans chanting his name.
At least for a night, The Dark Knight returned.
"I obviously have one less rib, but I feel strong and ready to go," Harvey said after leading the New York Mets over the Atlanta Braves 6-2 on Thursday in his return from major surgery.
Harvey (1-0) won for the first time since May 30. In his previous appearance on July 4, he was chased by Miami in the fourth inning and stared at the field from the dugout, a white towel draped over his left shoulder, a despondent look on his face.
"I remember getting booed off the field last year, so I think kind of flipping that switch a little bit and keep moving forward," he said. "It was exciting."
Travis d'Arnaud hit a go-ahead, two-run double and Wilmer Flores a two-run homer against Jaime Garcia (0-1), who made his Atlanta debut after eight seasons with St. Louis.
A year after returning from Tommy John surgery and helping the Mets reach the World Series for the first time since 2000, Harvey struggled to a 4-10 record with a 4.86 ERA in 2016. He felt numbness in his fingertips against the Marlins and did not pitch again, undergoing surgery July 18 to correct a Thoracic Outlet Syndrome injury caused by the compression of nerves, blood vessels or both in the area between the neck and armpit.
Harvey was 0-4 with a 5.89 ERA in five spring training starts. The 28-year-old right-hander's fastball was consistently in the 93-94 mph range — even reaching 96 mph — and he needed six pitches to get through the first inning, eight in the second, 10 in the third and 11 in the fourth.
"You're going to look hopefully in the middle of the summer and he's going to be back to where he was," Mets manager Terry Collins said . "Now, is he going to be throwing 98 again? I don't know. I don't have a crystal ball. But I think Matt Harvey can pitch as good as anybody when he's at 93 to 95, and he showed it tonight."
With the Mets in Harvey's favored blue jerseys for the first time this season, he allowed three hits in 6 2/3 innings, leaving after Matt Kemp's second solo home run. Harvey threw 55 of 77 pitches for strikes, fanned four and walked none in a game that breezed by in 2 hours, 28 minutes.
"The demeanor, even when he ran out to the bullpen, reminded me of a couple of years ago," said d'Arnaud, the Mets catcher.
Acquired from the Cardinals in a December trade, Garcia gave up four runs and six hits in six innings, and both batters he walked scored. Garcia became the Braves' first left-handed starter since Manny Banuelos on Sept. 6, 2015.
"The way Harvey was going, any runs were probably too many tonight," Braves manager Brian Snitker said.
D'Arnaud doubled to the left-center gap on a hanging curveball in the fifth for a 2-1 lead and Flores drove a low breaking ball about 3 feet from the left-field foul pole in the sixth. Flores hit .340 with 11 home runs in 100 at-bats against lefties last year.
Trailing 6-2, Atlanta loaded the bases in the eighth before Fernando Salas struck out Dansby Swanson.
Kemp, who also has four doubles this week, homered in the fifth and seventh innings for his 11th multihomer game.
"Long season," he said. "Just got to keep going."
AT THE TOP
Mets leadoff hitter Jose Reyes singled in the seventh, ending his 0-for-12 start. Braves leadoff hitter Ender Inciarte reached on a broken-bat infield hit in the eighth, his first hit in 13 at-bats this season.
A FIRST
Brandon Phillips went 0 for 3. He had gotten a hit in all 35 of his previous road games at the Mets, the longest road hitting streak at one opponent since Joe Medwick of the St. Louis Cardinals hit in 46 consecutive games at Brooklyn from 1933-37.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Mets: RHP Noah Syndergaard, who left the opener after six innings because of a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand, expects to start Sunday. The Mets are giving him an extra day of rest. "They don't have to amputate it," quipped Syndergaard, who has been putting a cream on it.
UP NEXT
Braves: With poor weather forecast, the Braves flip-flopped their rotation and RHP Mike Foltynewicz (9-5 last year) will start Friday's series opener at Pittsburgh. RHP R.A. Dickey (10-15 with Toronto) was pushed back to Saturday because the Braves worried his knuckleball might be less effective on a wet night.
Mets: RHP Zack Wheeler is to start Friday's series opener against Miami, his first big league appearance since Sept. 25, 2014. Wheeler injured his elbow pitching against Miami in a spring training game on March 9, 2015, and had surgery 16 days later to repair a torn right ulnar collateral ligament.
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Capitals beat Rangers to clinch Presidents' Trophy again
By STEPHEN WHYNO
AP Hockey Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) Winning the Presidents' Trophy is becoming old hat for the Washington Capitals, though this time it could be more important than ever.
The Capitals beat the New York Rangers 2-0 on Wednesday night to wrap up their second consecutive regular-season points title, the top seed in the Eastern Conference and Metropolitan Division title. With all those banner additions, the best home team in the NHL will have home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs.
Even though Washington beat an opponent with nothing to play for and six regulars out of the lineup, Alex Ovechkin is rolling and believes he and his teammates are trending positively as they finished atop the league standings for the third time in eight seasons.
"It means we're best team in the season, but the most important season is coming soon," said Ovechkin, whose shot was tipped by Justin Williams for the game-winner on the power play. "I think everybody focusing, everybody playing the right direction."
Evgeny Kuznetsov also scored and Braden Holtby had a 24-save shutout of the Rangers, who are locked into the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference and will face the Atlantic Division-champion Montreal Canadiens. New York looked to be going through the motions, but Washington coach Barry Trotz said there was "unfinished business," and his players took care of it in a game that had all the intensity of the preseason.
The Capitals didn't acknowledge their accomplishment, but they understood what was at stake.
"Some guys gonna say they didn't care, they liar," said Kuznetsov, who scored for the fourth time in 19 games. "It's always nice to win something."
The Rangers would've liked to win, but they put more of a priority on giving banged up forwards Mats Zuccarello, Rick Nash and Jesper Fast and defensemen Ryan McDonagh, Brady Skjei and Nick Holden a night off.
"It was a little different feel obviously in the locker room," said goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who was sharp in making 23 saves in his fifth consecutive start. "You're going to notice that. There's no question. If you can't tell a difference when that many good players are gone, something's up."
For Washington, Ovechkin getting back on track and Kuznetsov scoring for the fourth time in 19 games made for good signs with a potentially difficult first-round matchup looming against the likes of Boston, Ottawa or Toronto.
Trotz said the Capitals never talked about winning the Presidents' Trophy but rather winning the hypercompetitive Metropolitan Division and giving themselves the all-important home ice in the playoffs.
"It just gives us that opportunity to have the last change in a Game 7 or crowd behind us or whatever," Trotz said. "It's a point of pride that we've been consistent."
Eight of the 30 Presidents' Trophy winners won the Stanley Cup, three lost in the final, six lost in the conference finals, seven lost in the second round and six lost in the first round. In the salary-cap era that began in 2005-06, two of the 11 winners won the Cup, one lost in the final, two lost in the conference finals, two lost in the second round and four lost in the first round.
The Capitals were eliminated by the eventual Cup-champion Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round last year and got knocked out in the first round by the Canadiens in 2010. Only Ovechkin, center Nicklas Backstrom and defensemen Karl Alzner and John Carlson remain from the team that lost Game 7 to Montreal that year.
That past matters far less than the advantage of home ice and first place this spring, which means avoiding a brutal first-round opponent.
"You obviously want to not play either Pittsburgh or Columbus in the first round, but in the end it doesn't matter," said Holtby, who leads the league with 42 victories. "You got to go through good teams, and hopefully this just gives us a little bit more of an advantage."
NOTES: Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said the injured players would have all played if the game mattered and will be ready for the start of the playoffs. ... Carlson missed a second consecutive game with a lower-body injury that Trotz said he doesn't consider serious.
UP NEXT
Rangers: Visit Ottawa on Saturday in a game that means far more to the Senators' playoff positioning than New York's.
Capitals: Visit the Boston Bruins on Saturday in a potential first-round playoff preview.
AP Hockey Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) Winning the Presidents' Trophy is becoming old hat for the Washington Capitals, though this time it could be more important than ever.
The Capitals beat the New York Rangers 2-0 on Wednesday night to wrap up their second consecutive regular-season points title, the top seed in the Eastern Conference and Metropolitan Division title. With all those banner additions, the best home team in the NHL will have home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs.
Even though Washington beat an opponent with nothing to play for and six regulars out of the lineup, Alex Ovechkin is rolling and believes he and his teammates are trending positively as they finished atop the league standings for the third time in eight seasons.
"It means we're best team in the season, but the most important season is coming soon," said Ovechkin, whose shot was tipped by Justin Williams for the game-winner on the power play. "I think everybody focusing, everybody playing the right direction."
Evgeny Kuznetsov also scored and Braden Holtby had a 24-save shutout of the Rangers, who are locked into the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference and will face the Atlantic Division-champion Montreal Canadiens. New York looked to be going through the motions, but Washington coach Barry Trotz said there was "unfinished business," and his players took care of it in a game that had all the intensity of the preseason.
The Capitals didn't acknowledge their accomplishment, but they understood what was at stake.
"Some guys gonna say they didn't care, they liar," said Kuznetsov, who scored for the fourth time in 19 games. "It's always nice to win something."
The Rangers would've liked to win, but they put more of a priority on giving banged up forwards Mats Zuccarello, Rick Nash and Jesper Fast and defensemen Ryan McDonagh, Brady Skjei and Nick Holden a night off.
"It was a little different feel obviously in the locker room," said goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who was sharp in making 23 saves in his fifth consecutive start. "You're going to notice that. There's no question. If you can't tell a difference when that many good players are gone, something's up."
For Washington, Ovechkin getting back on track and Kuznetsov scoring for the fourth time in 19 games made for good signs with a potentially difficult first-round matchup looming against the likes of Boston, Ottawa or Toronto.
Trotz said the Capitals never talked about winning the Presidents' Trophy but rather winning the hypercompetitive Metropolitan Division and giving themselves the all-important home ice in the playoffs.
"It just gives us that opportunity to have the last change in a Game 7 or crowd behind us or whatever," Trotz said. "It's a point of pride that we've been consistent."
Eight of the 30 Presidents' Trophy winners won the Stanley Cup, three lost in the final, six lost in the conference finals, seven lost in the second round and six lost in the first round. In the salary-cap era that began in 2005-06, two of the 11 winners won the Cup, one lost in the final, two lost in the conference finals, two lost in the second round and four lost in the first round.
The Capitals were eliminated by the eventual Cup-champion Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round last year and got knocked out in the first round by the Canadiens in 2010. Only Ovechkin, center Nicklas Backstrom and defensemen Karl Alzner and John Carlson remain from the team that lost Game 7 to Montreal that year.
That past matters far less than the advantage of home ice and first place this spring, which means avoiding a brutal first-round opponent.
"You obviously want to not play either Pittsburgh or Columbus in the first round, but in the end it doesn't matter," said Holtby, who leads the league with 42 victories. "You got to go through good teams, and hopefully this just gives us a little bit more of an advantage."
NOTES: Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said the injured players would have all played if the game mattered and will be ready for the start of the playoffs. ... Carlson missed a second consecutive game with a lower-body injury that Trotz said he doesn't consider serious.
UP NEXT
Rangers: Visit Ottawa on Saturday in a game that means far more to the Senators' playoff positioning than New York's.
Capitals: Visit the Boston Bruins on Saturday in a potential first-round playoff preview.
Colon sharp at old home, Kemp leads Braves over Mets in 12
By BEN WALKER
AP Baseball Writer
NEW YORK (AP) Bartolo Colon enjoyed the whole evening - the nods and taps from former teammates, the tributes from the crowd.
He liked the result, too. Long after he exited, his Atlanta Braves earned their first win of the season.
Colon returned to Citi Field and made a sharp debut for his new club, and Matt Kemp's third double of the game in the 12th inning lifted the Braves over the New York Mets 3-1 on Wednesday night.
"To be honest, I do feel at home here. We had a great relationship," Colon said through a translator. "I definitely wanted to show my appreciation."
Kemp's two-out, bases-loaded liner off Rafael Montero (0-1) helped the Braves bounce back from losing on opening day. Jim Johnson (1-0) worked two scoreless innings.
Colon was perhaps the most popular Mets player over the previous three seasons. He led the team in wins, starts and innings last year, then became a free agent, left the pitching-rich Mets and signed with a guaranteed spot in the Braves' rotation.
The Mets honored Colon with a pregame montage on the video board, highlighting his pitching, fielding and first career home run last year. Fans cheered as the clips ended with: "Welcome Back Bart."
"How can you not like that guy?" Braves manager Brian Snitker said.
Pitching a day after the 20th anniversary of his major league debut, and now just more than a month shy of turning 44, Colon was as nifty as ever. He tossed two-hit ball - including a home run by Jay Bruce - for six innings, striking out six and walking one.
Mets manager Terry Collins had seen this plenty of times. In fact, he was managing the Angels when Colon pitched his first big league game in 1997.
"He is what he is. We sat there in about the fourth inning and we said, `Well, this is vintage Bartolo,'" Collins said.
Jacob deGrom threw six shutout innings for the Mets. The shaggy-haired ace needed surgery last September to reposition a nerve in his pitching elbow. He gave up two hits, struck out six and walked one.
Colon drew a standing ovation when he came to bat in the third, tipping his hat to the announced crowd of 28,113 and pointing to the sky. Earlier, Curtis Granderson nodded toward his former teammate when he hit.
Colon's performance came after he posted an 8.66 ERA in spring training.
"When the lights come on, it's a totally different thing," Colon said.
The portly pitcher was playful, as always.
As he walked from the bullpen to the dugout before the game, Colon sneaked up behind a security guard and bounced a ball off the man's belly, and they both laughed. When Colon grounded out in the sixth, he carried his bat down the line and jogged with it the whole way back to the bench, cracking up deGrom.
"You've got to smile at Bart," deGrom said.
HOME ON THE ROAD
Brandon Phillips singled in the 11th, giving him a hit in all 35 road games he's played against the Mets. It's the longest road hitting string in the majors by anyone vs. the same opponent since Ducky Medwick's 46-gamer at Brooklyn from 1933-37.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Braves: Right-handed reliever Mauricio Cabrera (elbow) played catch and should be able to throw off a mound Monday.
Mets: General manager Sandy Alderson said the team is "optimistic" RHP Seth Lugo won't need surgery for a partially torn ligament in his pitching elbow. ... LHP Steven Matz, scratched from his last spring start because of a tender elbow, isn't throwing yet. Alderson said there's concern because there "doesn't seem to be a specific injury. A little bit of uncertainty exists."
TEBOW TIME
Tim Tebow makes his regular-season debut as a Mets minor leaguer, starting in left field for the host Columbia Fireflies against Augusta in the Class A South Atlantic League. The former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner hit .148 in spring training.
LET'S PLAY
Snitker took advantage of Tuesday's day off to see his first Broadway show, "The Book of Mormon." The long-running hit can jar some viewers, but he really liked it. He's already preparing for an encore when Atlanta returns to New York later this month. "I'd love to see Bette Midler in `Hello, Dolly!'" he said. "I've been a fan of hers forever."
UP NEXT
Braves: LHP Jaime Garcia will make his Atlanta debut if the heavy rain in the forecast holds off. He was acquired from St. Louis in the offseason.
Mets: RHP Matt Harvey was 0-4 with a 5.89 ERA in five spring training starts. He didn't pitch after July 4 last year and later had a rib removed during surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome.
AP Baseball Writer
NEW YORK (AP) Bartolo Colon enjoyed the whole evening - the nods and taps from former teammates, the tributes from the crowd.
He liked the result, too. Long after he exited, his Atlanta Braves earned their first win of the season.
Colon returned to Citi Field and made a sharp debut for his new club, and Matt Kemp's third double of the game in the 12th inning lifted the Braves over the New York Mets 3-1 on Wednesday night.
"To be honest, I do feel at home here. We had a great relationship," Colon said through a translator. "I definitely wanted to show my appreciation."
Kemp's two-out, bases-loaded liner off Rafael Montero (0-1) helped the Braves bounce back from losing on opening day. Jim Johnson (1-0) worked two scoreless innings.
Colon was perhaps the most popular Mets player over the previous three seasons. He led the team in wins, starts and innings last year, then became a free agent, left the pitching-rich Mets and signed with a guaranteed spot in the Braves' rotation.
The Mets honored Colon with a pregame montage on the video board, highlighting his pitching, fielding and first career home run last year. Fans cheered as the clips ended with: "Welcome Back Bart."
"How can you not like that guy?" Braves manager Brian Snitker said.
Pitching a day after the 20th anniversary of his major league debut, and now just more than a month shy of turning 44, Colon was as nifty as ever. He tossed two-hit ball - including a home run by Jay Bruce - for six innings, striking out six and walking one.
Mets manager Terry Collins had seen this plenty of times. In fact, he was managing the Angels when Colon pitched his first big league game in 1997.
"He is what he is. We sat there in about the fourth inning and we said, `Well, this is vintage Bartolo,'" Collins said.
Jacob deGrom threw six shutout innings for the Mets. The shaggy-haired ace needed surgery last September to reposition a nerve in his pitching elbow. He gave up two hits, struck out six and walked one.
Colon drew a standing ovation when he came to bat in the third, tipping his hat to the announced crowd of 28,113 and pointing to the sky. Earlier, Curtis Granderson nodded toward his former teammate when he hit.
Colon's performance came after he posted an 8.66 ERA in spring training.
"When the lights come on, it's a totally different thing," Colon said.
The portly pitcher was playful, as always.
As he walked from the bullpen to the dugout before the game, Colon sneaked up behind a security guard and bounced a ball off the man's belly, and they both laughed. When Colon grounded out in the sixth, he carried his bat down the line and jogged with it the whole way back to the bench, cracking up deGrom.
"You've got to smile at Bart," deGrom said.
HOME ON THE ROAD
Brandon Phillips singled in the 11th, giving him a hit in all 35 road games he's played against the Mets. It's the longest road hitting string in the majors by anyone vs. the same opponent since Ducky Medwick's 46-gamer at Brooklyn from 1933-37.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Braves: Right-handed reliever Mauricio Cabrera (elbow) played catch and should be able to throw off a mound Monday.
Mets: General manager Sandy Alderson said the team is "optimistic" RHP Seth Lugo won't need surgery for a partially torn ligament in his pitching elbow. ... LHP Steven Matz, scratched from his last spring start because of a tender elbow, isn't throwing yet. Alderson said there's concern because there "doesn't seem to be a specific injury. A little bit of uncertainty exists."
TEBOW TIME
Tim Tebow makes his regular-season debut as a Mets minor leaguer, starting in left field for the host Columbia Fireflies against Augusta in the Class A South Atlantic League. The former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner hit .148 in spring training.
LET'S PLAY
Snitker took advantage of Tuesday's day off to see his first Broadway show, "The Book of Mormon." The long-running hit can jar some viewers, but he really liked it. He's already preparing for an encore when Atlanta returns to New York later this month. "I'd love to see Bette Midler in `Hello, Dolly!'" he said. "I've been a fan of hers forever."
UP NEXT
Braves: LHP Jaime Garcia will make his Atlanta debut if the heavy rain in the forecast holds off. He was acquired from St. Louis in the offseason.
Mets: RHP Matt Harvey was 0-4 with a 5.89 ERA in five spring training starts. He didn't pitch after July 4 last year and later had a rib removed during surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome.
Dickerson homers to help Cobb, Rays beat Yankees 4-1
By FRED GOODALL
AP Sports Writer
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) Alex Cobb figures to be one of the keys to Tampa Bay's chances of re-emerging as a playoff contender.
The Rays' right-hander continued his comeback from Tommy John surgery that sidelined him most of the past two seasons, pitching into the sixth inning of a 4-1 victory over the New York Yankees on Wednesday night.
Building on five starts he made late last year, Cobb (1-0) allowed one run and four hits in 5 2/3 innings. He walked one and struck out four.
"That was probably the best I've been on the mound since I've been back from Tommy John," Cobb said. "It's not to the point where I would like to end up being eventually, but it's definitely good enough to go out there and compete with."
Corey Dickerson and Derek Norris drove in two runs apiece for the Rays, who took two of three games from their AL East rivals to open a season with a series victory for the first time since 2012.
Dickerson hit the first leadoff homer of his career , driving Michael Pineda's third pitch into the right-field seats. He added an RBI single in the second, when Tampa Bay scored three times with two outs. Norris drove in the first two runs of the inning with a single to center off Pineda.
"It just came down to he made some mistakes with his fastball," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "He made one to Dickerson early. The big one he made was to Norris. He had two outs and he looked like was going to get out of that inning without giving up a run. Just couldn't seem to get the third out."
Jacoby Ellsbury had three hits, including a home run off Cobb , but the Yankees got little production from the heart of their lineup in the series. Chase Headley had his third straight multi-hit game for New York, going 2 for 3 to finish 7 of 11 in the three games.
Gary Sanchez, Greg Bird and Matt Holliday - the Nos. 2, 3 and 4 hitters - went 4 for 37 with one RBI in the series. Sanchez, off to a 1-for-14 start, singled off Cobb in the third inning for his first hit.
"They got off on a little slow start," Girardi said, "but I'm not worried."
Pineda (0-1), who was 0-3 with a 7.30 ERA in five starts against Tampa Bay a year ago, struck out six while allowing four runs and eight hits over 3 2/3 innings.
If there was a bright spot for the Yankees in the series, it was the performance of a bullpen that didn't allow a run in 13 2/3 innings, including the final 4 1/3 innings Wednesday night.
Cobb, meanwhile, made his first April start in three years. He won at Tropicana Field for the first time since Aug. 21 against Detroit.
The right-hander missed the entire 2015 season after undergoing elbow surgery. He went 1-2 with an 8.59 ERA last season.
"This entire time I've tried not to be results-based, whether I'm happy or not with myself with the way the comeback's coming," Cobb said. "There's definitely some more things on my end I need to get to, but with the stuff I had today, I'm real happy about it."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Yankees: SS Didi Gregorius, out until sometime in May with a sprained right shoulder, will increase his throwing from 60 to 90 feet on Thursday.
Rays: SS Matt Duffy (Achilles tendon), one of seven Tampa Bay players who began the season on the disabled list, did flexibility drills in the outfield.
BLAZING START
Headley, who got off to a terrible start last year, has three consecutive multi-hit games to begin a season for the first time. It's the longest such streak for the Yankees since Alfonso Soriano had multiple hits in the first six games of 2003. Headley had a double and a single Wednesday night after going 5 for 8 in the first two games, when he singled three times through vacated spaces on the left side of a shifted infield.
Rays manager Kevin Cash said Headley's success against the shift won't necessarily force the Rays to re-think their defensive strategy moving forward.
"I might be wrong, but we're going to trust our process in how we position guys. And if we circle back over a month or a couple series time, and it's shown that enough throughout the league, then we'll make an adjustment," Cash said. "But I don't think we can make a quick adjustment after two games."
UP NEXT
Yankees: Following an off day, RHP Luis Severino faces Orioles RHP Ubaldo Jimenez on Friday night in the first of three games in Baltimore. Severino won the fourth spot in the rotation during spring training. He went 0-8 with an 8.50 ERA in 11 starts last season.
Rays: LHP Blake Snell and Toronto RHP Marcus Stroman are the scheduled starters Thursday in the opener of a four-game series. Stroman is 3-1 with a 2.89 ERA in four career starts at Tropicana Field.
AP Sports Writer
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) Alex Cobb figures to be one of the keys to Tampa Bay's chances of re-emerging as a playoff contender.
The Rays' right-hander continued his comeback from Tommy John surgery that sidelined him most of the past two seasons, pitching into the sixth inning of a 4-1 victory over the New York Yankees on Wednesday night.
Building on five starts he made late last year, Cobb (1-0) allowed one run and four hits in 5 2/3 innings. He walked one and struck out four.
"That was probably the best I've been on the mound since I've been back from Tommy John," Cobb said. "It's not to the point where I would like to end up being eventually, but it's definitely good enough to go out there and compete with."
Corey Dickerson and Derek Norris drove in two runs apiece for the Rays, who took two of three games from their AL East rivals to open a season with a series victory for the first time since 2012.
Dickerson hit the first leadoff homer of his career , driving Michael Pineda's third pitch into the right-field seats. He added an RBI single in the second, when Tampa Bay scored three times with two outs. Norris drove in the first two runs of the inning with a single to center off Pineda.
"It just came down to he made some mistakes with his fastball," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "He made one to Dickerson early. The big one he made was to Norris. He had two outs and he looked like was going to get out of that inning without giving up a run. Just couldn't seem to get the third out."
Jacoby Ellsbury had three hits, including a home run off Cobb , but the Yankees got little production from the heart of their lineup in the series. Chase Headley had his third straight multi-hit game for New York, going 2 for 3 to finish 7 of 11 in the three games.
Gary Sanchez, Greg Bird and Matt Holliday - the Nos. 2, 3 and 4 hitters - went 4 for 37 with one RBI in the series. Sanchez, off to a 1-for-14 start, singled off Cobb in the third inning for his first hit.
"They got off on a little slow start," Girardi said, "but I'm not worried."
Pineda (0-1), who was 0-3 with a 7.30 ERA in five starts against Tampa Bay a year ago, struck out six while allowing four runs and eight hits over 3 2/3 innings.
If there was a bright spot for the Yankees in the series, it was the performance of a bullpen that didn't allow a run in 13 2/3 innings, including the final 4 1/3 innings Wednesday night.
Cobb, meanwhile, made his first April start in three years. He won at Tropicana Field for the first time since Aug. 21 against Detroit.
The right-hander missed the entire 2015 season after undergoing elbow surgery. He went 1-2 with an 8.59 ERA last season.
"This entire time I've tried not to be results-based, whether I'm happy or not with myself with the way the comeback's coming," Cobb said. "There's definitely some more things on my end I need to get to, but with the stuff I had today, I'm real happy about it."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Yankees: SS Didi Gregorius, out until sometime in May with a sprained right shoulder, will increase his throwing from 60 to 90 feet on Thursday.
Rays: SS Matt Duffy (Achilles tendon), one of seven Tampa Bay players who began the season on the disabled list, did flexibility drills in the outfield.
BLAZING START
Headley, who got off to a terrible start last year, has three consecutive multi-hit games to begin a season for the first time. It's the longest such streak for the Yankees since Alfonso Soriano had multiple hits in the first six games of 2003. Headley had a double and a single Wednesday night after going 5 for 8 in the first two games, when he singled three times through vacated spaces on the left side of a shifted infield.
Rays manager Kevin Cash said Headley's success against the shift won't necessarily force the Rays to re-think their defensive strategy moving forward.
"I might be wrong, but we're going to trust our process in how we position guys. And if we circle back over a month or a couple series time, and it's shown that enough throughout the league, then we'll make an adjustment," Cash said. "But I don't think we can make a quick adjustment after two games."
UP NEXT
Yankees: Following an off day, RHP Luis Severino faces Orioles RHP Ubaldo Jimenez on Friday night in the first of three games in Baltimore. Severino won the fourth spot in the rotation during spring training. He went 0-8 with an 8.50 ERA in 11 starts last season.
Rays: LHP Blake Snell and Toronto RHP Marcus Stroman are the scheduled starters Thursday in the opener of a four-game series. Stroman is 3-1 with a 2.89 ERA in four career starts at Tropicana Field.
Heavy construction equipment stolen from NY lighthouse
Associated Press
HUNTINGTON, N.Y. (AP) — A group restoring a century-old lighthouse on Long Island's North Shore says an 800-pound piece of construction equipment has been stolen from the work site.
Members of the Huntington Lighthouse Preservation Society tell Newsday (http://nwsdy.li/2ocS3LK ) that a pile grapple was stolen from a barge being used to restore the lighthouse's foundation. A pile grapple is used to lift and move heavy building material.
The group says the machinery, discovered missing on March 27, is too heavy to have fallen off the barge. A check of the water around the barge found no sign of the equipment.
The contractor for the project says other equipment has been stolen and a 22-foot boat was vandalized.
The society owns the 1912 structure, located at the junction of Huntington Harbor and Lloyd Harbor on the Suffolk-Nassau county border.
Suffolk County police are investigating.
HUNTINGTON, N.Y. (AP) — A group restoring a century-old lighthouse on Long Island's North Shore says an 800-pound piece of construction equipment has been stolen from the work site.
Members of the Huntington Lighthouse Preservation Society tell Newsday (http://nwsdy.li/2ocS3LK ) that a pile grapple was stolen from a barge being used to restore the lighthouse's foundation. A pile grapple is used to lift and move heavy building material.
The group says the machinery, discovered missing on March 27, is too heavy to have fallen off the barge. A check of the water around the barge found no sign of the equipment.
The contractor for the project says other equipment has been stolen and a 22-foot boat was vandalized.
The society owns the 1912 structure, located at the junction of Huntington Harbor and Lloyd Harbor on the Suffolk-Nassau county border.
Suffolk County police are investigating.
NYC man charged with 1st-degree murder in runner's death
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — Derrick Rose has had his latest knee surgery and the New York Knicks say he could resume basketball activities in three weeks.
Rose had arthroscopic surgery Wednesday to repair torn cartilage in his left knee. The former MVP has been plagued by knee problems in recent years and has had surgery on both knees.
This procedure was performed in Chicago by Dr. Brian Cole, who collaborated with Knicks team physicians. The Knicks said it was "uncomplicated" surgery and that Rose would have a full recovery and could resume basketball activities in approximately three-to-six weeks.
Rose will be a free agent this summer following his first season with the Knicks after they acquired him from Chicago.
NEW YORK (AP) — Derrick Rose has had his latest knee surgery and the New York Knicks say he could resume basketball activities in three weeks.
Rose had arthroscopic surgery Wednesday to repair torn cartilage in his left knee. The former MVP has been plagued by knee problems in recent years and has had surgery on both knees.
This procedure was performed in Chicago by Dr. Brian Cole, who collaborated with Knicks team physicians. The Knicks said it was "uncomplicated" surgery and that Rose would have a full recovery and could resume basketball activities in approximately three-to-six weeks.
Rose will be a free agent this summer following his first season with the Knicks after they acquired him from Chicago.
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Blistering start: Syndergaard, Mets top Braves 6-0 in opener
By MIKE FITZPATRICK
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — Noah Syndergaard is off to a blistering start — and that could be a concern for the New York Mets.
The hard-throwing ace pitched six sharp innings before leaving with a blister, Asdrubal Cabrera singled home the go-ahead run in the seventh and the Mets broke through following a pivotal replay reversal to beat the Atlanta Braves 6-0 in their season opener Monday.
Syndergaard struck out seven without a walk in his first opening day assignment, the only blemish a blister on the top of his right middle finger that ended his outing.
"It was just affecting me on all pitches," Syndergaard said. "I haven't had it in a long time. I had it when I was going through the minor leagues with the Blue Jays, but kind of a rare occurrence."
Syndergaard called it "just a little blister" and insisted he's not too worried. Still, manager Terry Collins said the right-hander's next turn will be pushed back a day to Sunday.
"It's not very big. He had it and it popped during the inning," Collins said. "These guys, that's a very common thing. They'll dry it out the next couple days. He'll be ready."
Atlanta starter Julio Teheran throttled the Mets as usual, throwing six scoreless innings before a sellout crowd of 44,384 at Citi Field. But once he was lifted after 96 pitches, New York took advantage of five walks by a shaky Braves bullpen in a six-run bottom of the seventh that lasted 35 minutes.
Curtis Granderson had a sacrifice fly and Lucas Duda added a three-run double off ineffective lefty Eric O'Flaherty.
The Mets stopped a six-game home losing streak against Atlanta — the last-place Braves swept their final two series in Queens last year — and improved baseball's best record on opening day to 36-20.
Rene Rivera began the seventh with a single against Ian Krol (0-1). One out later, Jose Reyes walked and Cabrera singled for his third hit. Gold Glove center fielder Ender Inciarte made a strong peg home, and Wilmer Flores initially was called out.
But replays showed catcher Tyler Flowers was in poor position when he took the throw behind the plate, allowing Flores to touch the front corner with his foot before getting tagged.
"Great slide," Duda said.
From there, the Mets stayed disciplined in the batter's box and built a comfortable lead.
"Yeah, we kind of have a big momentum shift right there and probably turns the game around," Braves manager Brian Snitker said.
Hansel Robles (1-0) worked a perfect inning for the win.
Freddie Freeman had three hits for Atlanta, including a one-out triple in the fourth. Syndergaard struck out the other three batters in the inning, and pitched out of trouble against the middle of the lineup again in the sixth.
"That's the reason why he's starting opening day," Freeman said. "He's one of the best pitchers in the game and he worked his way out of it."
BRINGING SEXY BACK
With fans still filing in, Braves pitcher Bartolo Colon received a standing ovation during pregame introductions as he waved and tipped his cap to the crowd. Big Sexy, who turns 44 in May, won 44 games for the Mets over the past three seasons. He signed a $12.5 million, one-year contract with Atlanta in November. "Bartolo had a huge effect on this team," Collins said.
In his first big league opening day outside Cincinnati, Mets right fielder Jay Bruce drew three walks on his 30th birthday — one with the bases loaded. "It was great. I was nervous — and that was an awesome feeling. I like being a little nervous," Bruce said.
FOR STARTERS
Syndergaard became the seventh different Mets pitcher to start on opening day over the past seven years, the longest streak in club history. Teheran joined Rick Mahler (1985-88) and Greg Maddux (1993-96) as the lone Atlanta pitchers to start four straight season openers. Felix Hernandez (Mariners) and Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers) are the only major league pitchers who have longer streaks with their current teams.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Braves: Snitker said injured reliever Mauricio Cabrera (elbow), who features a fastball clocked at over 100 mph, should begin throwing soon.
Mets: In their comments to reporters, RHP Seth Lugo seemed optimistic about a fairly quick return from the DL, while it appears LHP Steven Matz will be sidelined for some time. Both are out with elbow injuries. ... 3B David Wright (neck surgery) took batting practice with the team on the field. He was in uniform for pregame introductions and received a warm hand. Wright started the previous 12 season openers at third base.
UP NEXT
Braves: Colon will make his Atlanta debut when he starts the second game of the series Wednesday night against his former teammates. "Some of these guys don't know Major League Baseball without him in it," Snitker said.
Mets: RHP Jacob deGrom returns to the mound from Sept. 21 surgery to reposition the ulnar nerve in his right elbow.
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — Noah Syndergaard is off to a blistering start — and that could be a concern for the New York Mets.
The hard-throwing ace pitched six sharp innings before leaving with a blister, Asdrubal Cabrera singled home the go-ahead run in the seventh and the Mets broke through following a pivotal replay reversal to beat the Atlanta Braves 6-0 in their season opener Monday.
Syndergaard struck out seven without a walk in his first opening day assignment, the only blemish a blister on the top of his right middle finger that ended his outing.
"It was just affecting me on all pitches," Syndergaard said. "I haven't had it in a long time. I had it when I was going through the minor leagues with the Blue Jays, but kind of a rare occurrence."
Syndergaard called it "just a little blister" and insisted he's not too worried. Still, manager Terry Collins said the right-hander's next turn will be pushed back a day to Sunday.
"It's not very big. He had it and it popped during the inning," Collins said. "These guys, that's a very common thing. They'll dry it out the next couple days. He'll be ready."
Atlanta starter Julio Teheran throttled the Mets as usual, throwing six scoreless innings before a sellout crowd of 44,384 at Citi Field. But once he was lifted after 96 pitches, New York took advantage of five walks by a shaky Braves bullpen in a six-run bottom of the seventh that lasted 35 minutes.
Curtis Granderson had a sacrifice fly and Lucas Duda added a three-run double off ineffective lefty Eric O'Flaherty.
The Mets stopped a six-game home losing streak against Atlanta — the last-place Braves swept their final two series in Queens last year — and improved baseball's best record on opening day to 36-20.
Rene Rivera began the seventh with a single against Ian Krol (0-1). One out later, Jose Reyes walked and Cabrera singled for his third hit. Gold Glove center fielder Ender Inciarte made a strong peg home, and Wilmer Flores initially was called out.
But replays showed catcher Tyler Flowers was in poor position when he took the throw behind the plate, allowing Flores to touch the front corner with his foot before getting tagged.
"Great slide," Duda said.
From there, the Mets stayed disciplined in the batter's box and built a comfortable lead.
"Yeah, we kind of have a big momentum shift right there and probably turns the game around," Braves manager Brian Snitker said.
Hansel Robles (1-0) worked a perfect inning for the win.
Freddie Freeman had three hits for Atlanta, including a one-out triple in the fourth. Syndergaard struck out the other three batters in the inning, and pitched out of trouble against the middle of the lineup again in the sixth.
"That's the reason why he's starting opening day," Freeman said. "He's one of the best pitchers in the game and he worked his way out of it."
BRINGING SEXY BACK
With fans still filing in, Braves pitcher Bartolo Colon received a standing ovation during pregame introductions as he waved and tipped his cap to the crowd. Big Sexy, who turns 44 in May, won 44 games for the Mets over the past three seasons. He signed a $12.5 million, one-year contract with Atlanta in November. "Bartolo had a huge effect on this team," Collins said.
B
BIRTHDAY GIFTSIn his first big league opening day outside Cincinnati, Mets right fielder Jay Bruce drew three walks on his 30th birthday — one with the bases loaded. "It was great. I was nervous — and that was an awesome feeling. I like being a little nervous," Bruce said.
FOR STARTERS
Syndergaard became the seventh different Mets pitcher to start on opening day over the past seven years, the longest streak in club history. Teheran joined Rick Mahler (1985-88) and Greg Maddux (1993-96) as the lone Atlanta pitchers to start four straight season openers. Felix Hernandez (Mariners) and Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers) are the only major league pitchers who have longer streaks with their current teams.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Braves: Snitker said injured reliever Mauricio Cabrera (elbow), who features a fastball clocked at over 100 mph, should begin throwing soon.
Mets: In their comments to reporters, RHP Seth Lugo seemed optimistic about a fairly quick return from the DL, while it appears LHP Steven Matz will be sidelined for some time. Both are out with elbow injuries. ... 3B David Wright (neck surgery) took batting practice with the team on the field. He was in uniform for pregame introductions and received a warm hand. Wright started the previous 12 season openers at third base.
UP NEXT
Braves: Colon will make his Atlanta debut when he starts the second game of the series Wednesday night against his former teammates. "Some of these guys don't know Major League Baseball without him in it," Snitker said.
Mets: RHP Jacob deGrom returns to the mound from Sept. 21 surgery to reposition the ulnar nerve in his right elbow.
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