|
Rays Yanks' record victim
By MARC TOPKIN © St. Petersburg Times, published September 26, 1998 Eiland's first appearance for the Devil Rays marked a return to the major leagues and Yankee Stadium after more than a two-year absence, but he didn't make much of a triumphant return. Eiland was knocked around for six hits and charged with six runs in less than three innings as the Yankees cruised to the record-setting victory 6-1. At 112-48, the Yankees are the second-winningest team in major-league history. Only the 1906 Cubs, with 116 victories, have won more. They also are the first team to be 64 games over .500 since the 1954 Indians finished 68 over at 111-43. The Rays, meanwhile, lost their fourth straight and sixth of seven. It is the first time they've lost four straight road games since July 17-18-19-28. Eiland, a Pasco County product, spent nine years in the Yankees organization and parts of six seasons with the big-league team. He put together a strong 1998 season for the Rays' Triple-A team, going 13-5 with a 2.99 ERA. But this is the major leagues, and these were the Yankees. Eiland navigated trouble the first two innings and went to the third tied at 1 when Miguel Cairo drove in Quinton McCracken with a two-out bloop single. * * *But Eiland got in trouble quickly, and the Yankees scored five times before the inning was over. Derek Jeter singled and Eiland walked Paul O'Neill and Bernie Williams to load the bases. The first run came when Tino Martinez bounced into a forceout, the second when Tim Raines singled and the third when Jorge Posada doubled to left. Rick White replaced Eiland and gave up a two-run single to Scott Brosius, making it 6-1. After their third-inning run, the Rays didn't do much against Yankees starter Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, who allowed four hits in five innings. They did less against Andy Pettitte, who worked three two-hit innings in relief as a playoff tuneup. Eiland was called up Monday and started in place of injured Rolando Arrojo. It was Eiland's first big-league appearance since Aug. 21, 1995, at Oakland, his first game at Yankee Stadium since Aug. 10 that year and his first start since July 21, 1995. Eiland, 32, was pitching to show he belonged in the major leagues next season, but he apparently had another motivation too. His father Bill, the longtime Zephyrhills police chief, died of cancer Easter 1996, and Eiland, according to published reports, had been determined to get back to Yankee Stadium and win a game there for him. Fighting cancer, Bill Eiland had a heart attack when he was in Louisville to see Dave pitch for the Triple-A Redbirds in April 1996. He was revived after his heart stopped but slipped into a coma. Two days later, Dave went out to pitch for the Redbirds, hoping to win the game for his dad. He didn't win and his dad didn't make it, dying that day. After White allowed the two-run single to Brosius in the third, the Rays held the Yankees to two hits. Most impressive was knuckleballer Dennis Springer, who allowed just a walk in three innings.
Business |
Citrus |
Commentary |
Entertainment
|
Home
EW YORK -- The Yankees became the winningest team in American League history with their 112th victory Friday night, and Dave Eiland got an up-close look at just how good they are.
