BOSTON —CC Sabathia is regarded as a terrific second-half pitcher, but that’s a bit of an inflated reputation — at least as a Yankee.
In his four years in pinstripes prior to this season, Sabathia posted a 3.25 ERA in 73 starts before the All-Star break and a comparable 3.18 ERA in 56 starts post-break.
“I think every start from here on out is going to be big,” Sabathia said before yesterday’s 5-2 win over the Red Sox.
Sabathia will make his first post-break start tonight, and after his last outing a week ago, he referred to his 4.07 ERA this season as “terrible.”
“I haven’t pitched [since],” he said yesterday. “So it’s still terrible and disappointing.”
Sabathia said one issue has been his arm angle being lower than it should be. Pitching coach Larry Rothschild explained that a low arm angle “causes the changeup to elevate and cut. Fastballs and two-seamers cut.” He said he has been attempting to stay on top during his release.
* As he has done in every road stop in his final season, Mariano Rivera met with people at Fenway Park yesterday. Included in the group were brothers J.P. and Paul Norden, victims of the Boston Marathon bombings, Ken Greenwood, an usher in his 46th year at Fenway and John “Baz’’ Basmanian, a Fenway ticket rep in his 46th season.
As for Fenway itself, Rivera said he will take how passionate the Red Sox supporters are into retirement.
“The fans are supportive and there have been great moments overall,’’ Rivera said. “It’s been a blessing for me to come here every year. I will miss it.’’
Rivera, who saved yesterday’s victory, has 35 Fenway saves. It is his second highest total in a road ballpark behind the 41 he has at Camden Yards.
* Joe Girardi started Vernon Wells in left field against right-hander John Lackey yesterday. It was the first time since July 5 Wells started in left versus a right-hander. The move was made because Zoilo Almonte went on the disabled list with a sprained left ankle.
The switch-hitting Almonte is batting .261 (23-for-88) in 26 games. It is not known how long he will be sidelined.
“He will go to Tampa and is scheduled for an MRI,” Girardi said.
* The Yankees elevated outfielders Thomas Neal and Melky Mesa from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and designated infielder Alberto Gonzalez for assignment.
“We see Thomas more as a DH against left-handers and Melky more of an outfielder against some of the guys,’’ Girardi said of the right-handed hitters.
Since Wells had been used a lot as the DH against lefties, Girardi was asked if he would employ Wells in the outfield more.
“Probably, yeah,’’ Girardi said of Wells, who went 1-for-3 with two strikeouts against Lackey and is hitting .209 (41-for-196) with seven homers and 24 RBIs against right-handers and .292 (33-for-113) with three homers and 12 RBIs against lefties.
Wells contributed to yesterday’s victory by throwing out Daniel Nava at the plate for the final out of the first inning as Nava attempted to score from second on David Ortiz’s single to left.