CLEVELAND – Joe Torre wanted to see how Chien-Ming Wang fared against the Indians last night in Game 1 of the ALDS before announcing who will pitch Game 4 at Yankee Stadium Monday night. Provided, of course, there is a fourth tilt in the best- of-five series.
After watching Wang get punished in a 12-3 loss, Torre didn’t discount bringing Wang back on three days’ rest.
“Let’s just get over and lick our wounds,” Torre said after Wang gave up eight runs and nine hits in 42/3 innings.
“First off, let me tell you, I am not afraid of Wang pitching against Cleveland again. He didn’t pitch his game tonight. You know, you win 19 games in this league, you certainly earn it. I am certainly not going to shy away from pitching him again.”
If Wang works Game 4 he would be hurling on three days’ rest, one short of the norm.
With a day off between Games 4 and 5, Torre can use Andy Pettitte, today’s starter, in Game 5 on regular four days’ rest.
As for Game 4, he has Mike Mussina ready. Of course, if Roger Clemens’ can’t go in Game 3 Sunday because of his left hamstring problem, Mussina would get that assignment.
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Johnny Damon hit a disputed leadoff home run that originally was called foul by umpire Jim Wolf. Torre immediately ran out of the dugout to argue with Wolf, who was working the right-field line. Plate umpire Bruce Froemming gathered his crew before overruling the call.
“It hit me right in the stomach,” said fan Craig Stammen, who was standing in foul territory behind section 116. “It was fair all the way, but curving.”
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The 12-3 loss was the worst Yankees postseason loss since Game 6 of the 2001 World Series when the Yankees were spanked by the Diamondbacks, 15-2.
The Yankees are 3-7 in post-season game since 2005.
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Rookie Ross Ohlendorf gave up three runs and four hits in an inning.
Torre chatted with George Steinbrenner Wednesday after the manager and coaches decided on what the 25-man roster was going to be.
“We got the go-ahead,” Torre said of The Boss, who is expected to be at Yankee Stadium for Games 3 and 4.
Steinbrenner hasn’t been at a Yankee game in The Bronx since opening day.
Torre said Steinbrenner sounded like he was excited about the postseason.
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Hideki Matsui was the DH last night and went 0-for-4. He was 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position and fanned twice.