Yankees Not Worried After Rivera Blows Third Straight Save
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- He's human!
Mariano Rivera blew his third straight save Sunday, though the Yankees say they aren't concerned about the greatest closer of all time.
"It's not like you forget how to pitch in a week," manager Joe Girardi said after Sunday's 5-4 walk-off win against the Detroit Tigers. "He just had a bad week."
Yankees Not Worried After Rivera Blows Third Straight Game
It was the first time in Rivera's Hall-of-Fame career that he failed to convert three consecutive saves. We're talking about 1,087 previous appearances out of the bullpen.
"It's shocking," said starter Andy Pettitte. "He spoils us all. Anytime you see him blow one, much less three, it's shocking."
"He showed he's human," first baseman Lyle Overbay said.
Brett Gardner saved the Yankees after Mo's double-homer debacle.
Girardi said he had zero concern about Rivera, whose ERA has climbed from 1.56 to 2.44 in his last four innings. Pettitte wasn't worried about his teammate either.
"I don't think it's going to faze him, and it's not going to faze anybody in this locker room," Pettitte said. "We'll go out there when we've got the lead, and feel extremely confident when we've got the lead and him going into the game."
He was right. The 43-year-old was unfazed by the unfortunate career first in his final season.
"At least it's the first time, you know what I mean?" he said. "I don't pay attention to that stuff. I just try to go out there and do my job. The last three opportunities, I haven't done it. So we have to continue battling and get better. I have to keep working and eventually it will happen."
Rivera's major league record 643 saves includes 35 in 2013.
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