Takahashi proves tougher in second start vs. Yanks

The Mets feared what might happen to Hisanori Takahashi once teams benefited from a second look at the Japanese rookie. They got their answer Friday in the Subway Series opener, when Takahashi proved that those concerns were unnecessary.

The Yankees became the first opponent to get a second crack at Takahashi, and the defending world champions actually had a more difficult time in the rematch. Takahashi allowed four hits in six scoreless innings and protected a 1-0 lead by escaping a bases-loaded jam in the sixth. To do it, he retired Jorge Posada - who had hit a pair of grand slams last weekend - on a weak grounder to third.

Takahashi has not given up a run to the Yankees in two starts, a stretch of 12 innings, and Friday's performance likely will convince Jerry Manuel to keep Takahashi in the rotation - even when John Maine is ready to return. Takahashi improved to 3-1 with a 3.12 ERA as a starter and has lasted at least six innings in four of his six starts.

"To see him manage his way through six innings against a very difficult lineup was impressive," Manuel said. "The other thing about it is that you never got the feeling that he was going to flinch. He just kind of stayed within the moment and pitched extremely well.

"The one thing about the Yankees' lineup is you can get a good game, but it's usually only six innings because of the effort it takes to get through it."

Takahashi said he studied video of his first start against the Yankees and tried to pitch inside more. He unnerved Robinson Cano in the sixth inning by backing him off the plate with a 90-mph fastball, and the aggressive tactics seemed to work.

"I didn't see a big change in his approach," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "I thought he went about his business similar to the last time."

Manuel suggested this week that he was leaning toward using Maine as a starter again because the repeated strain of bullpen work could be a problem with his shoulder issues. But that was before Takahashi easily handled a Yankees lineup that was more familiar with his delayed leg kick and repertoire.

Apparently, the Yankees didn't learn much from their May 21 meeting, which also was Takahashi's starting debut. He retired 15 of the first 18 batters Friday and pitched his way out of trouble in the fifth and sixth.

After a leadoff walk to Posada in the fifth, Takahashi struck out Francisco Cervelli and Chad Huffman before getting Brett Gardner on a bouncer back to the mound. But Takahashi's most serious test came in the sixth, when Nick Swisher and Mark Teixeira lined back-to-back singles with one out.

Next up was Alex Rodriguez, who moved up the runners with a groundout to first. The open base allowed Takahashi to be more careful with Cano, who entered with an MLB-best .372 average. Takahashi started him 3-and-0, then battled back to a full count before walking him.

That inflated Takahashi's pitch count to 101, but Manuel chose to stick with him to face Posada. Two pitches later, the manager was rewarded for that faith when Takahashi got Posada to tap an 80-mph changeup to David Wright, who made a great barehanded grab-and-throw on the slow chopper.