Bruney picks up big out in relief of Hughes
Photo credit: David Pokress/David Pokress | Brian Bruney hands the ball to Joe Girardi after facing one batter, Mark Ellis, and getting him out. (Photo by David Pokress)
In a tight spot during the eighth inning yesterday, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he had no doubt about using former setup man Brian Bruney.
Despite Bruney's recent struggles, Girardi felt confident he could deliver in a high-pressure situation while the Yankees nursed a two-run lead with runners on second and third, one out and the go-ahead run at the plate.
Bruney, who replaced Phil Hughes, struck out Mark Ellis with a 96-mph fastball. Then he gave way to Mariano Rivera for a four-out save in the Yankees' 7-5 victory over the Athletics.
"That's a huge out, maybe the biggest out of the game," Girardi said. "Lately I thought he was a lot closer to being the Brian Bruney [he used to be]. I don't have any trepidation about using him in that spot. Brian is a guy who has no fear."
Bruney, who has battled elbow injuries virtually the entire season, said he has never allowed his confidence to waver.
"I don't think, at any point ever in my career, I've been scared on the mound. You're beat already if you're scared," Bruney said. "I'm confident every time I go in."
Despite some discouraging results - with a four-run lead over the Orioles in the ninth inning Wednesday, Bruney got two strikeouts but then gave up back-to-back home runs, forcing Girardi to bring in Rivera for the final out - Bruney said he has felt much better since returning from the All-Star break.
"I know I haven't pitched great. I know what I'm capable of," he said. "Really, I knew I just had to get healthy and the rest would take care of it. My arm feels great right now and I'm feeling confident."
Bruney said that as long as the team continues to win, he isn't worried about winning back his setup role or carving out a distinct spot in which he is used.
Bruney relinquished his eighth-inning role when Phil Hughes started to emerge, but the two combined Sundayfor a solid performance, setting up Rivera for his 29th save. After replacing Bruney, Rivera got pinch hitter Nomar Garciaparra to bounce weakly to the mound and picked up two strikeouts in a perfect ninth.
Hughes hit a rough spot in the eighth - giving up a walk and a double after striking out three of the first four batters to face him - but he still has not allowed a run in his last 16 outings, covering 21 innings. Combined with the final 21/3 innings of a 32/3-inning stint against the Red Sox on June 10, Hughes holds the longest single-season scoreless stretch (231/3 innings) by a Yankees pitcher since Rivera's 302/3-inning streak to end the 1999 season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
"That's a long way to go without giving up a run. I just got to keep it going because as soon as you do give up a run, especially if you're in for a inning, it's not good," Hughes said. "I'm just trying to keep us in the game or keep us ahead and do my best."
