MLB

TORRE’S STATUS STILL LAME-DUCK

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Though the wretched White Sox gave Ozzie Guillen a four-year extension and the awful Devil Rays picked up options on Joe Maddon through 2009, the Yankees continue to let Joe Torre head into the postseason as a lame-duck manager.

Yesterday was another chance for George Steinbrenner and his inner circle to address Torre’s future. According to Torre, the subject never surfaced during an hour-long lunch at Legends Field attended by Steinbrenner sons, Hank and Hal, GM Brian Cashman and son-in law Felix Lopez.

“We didn’t talk about it,” Torre said of coming back next season for his 13th year. “We talked about the team.”

At some point Steinbrenner will have to address Torre’s future. Some speculate that The Boss will cut ties with Torre if the Yankees don’t reach the World Series. Others believe Torre has to win the World Series to stay.

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When the Yankees leave for Baltimore after tonight’s game against the Devil Rays, Roger Clemens won’t be with them.

Instead, Clemens will report to Tampa and attempt to get his ailing left hamstring healthy enough to be included on the Yankees’ roster for the ALDS that starts Wednesday or Thursday.

Since Torre said Tuesday that Clemens wouldn’t pitch in a regular-season game but likely would require a simulated game to gauge where the leg is, Brian Cashman was asked if pitching coach Ron Guidry and Torre needed to see Clemens’ simulated game.

“They don’t need to see it,” the GM said. “We have people [in Tampa].”

So, a week before Game 1 (likely in Cleveland), the Yankees don’t know if the 45-year-old righty, who insists he will be ready, can help them.

“We are giving it the time it needs,” Cashman said.

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Chien-Ming Wang notched his 19th victory in last night’s 12-4 victory, going six innings in which he allowed two runs and seven hits. Robinson Cano had a three-run homer and five RBIs. Doug Mientkiewicz likely sealed the starting first-base job with a 4-for-5 night. Derek Jeter had three hits and a homer. Jorge Posada went 3-for-6 and drove in three runs.

The only downer of the night was Luis Vizcaino, an important part of the bullpen, giving up two runs and four hits in one inning.

In a move that is likely the forerunner of Joba Chamberlain working back-to-back games, the rookie phenom pitched the seventh and allowed a hit and registered his 32nd strikeout in 222/3 innings.

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Alex Rodriguez is the fifth player in history to reach 150 RBIs and 50 homers in the same season. The others are Babe Ruth (1921 and 1927), Hack Wilson (1930), Jimmie Foxx (1932 and 1938) and Sammy Sosa (1998 and 2001).