NEW YORK - Freddy Garcia and Seattle's bullpen put the New York Yankees right back in the Garcia, Sasaki hold New York at bay
ir postseason funk.
Garcia dominated for 6 2-3 innings in a six-hitter, and Alex Rodriguez and Rickey Henderson supplied the offense, leading the Mariners over New York 2-0 last night in the opener of the AL championship series.
''He certainly pitched well when he had to,'' Yankees manager Joe Torre said. ''He pitched pretty well when he didn't have to.''
Seattle tries to go home with a 2-0 lead Wednesday night when John Halama pitches against Orlando Hernandez.
''We have to attack them, attack them early and be ready to go to war,'' said Rodriguez, who hit a massive solo homer. ''They're going to come out real hungry and be ready to go to war tomorrow.''
Garcia, one of the young pitchers obtained two years ago from Houston in the Randy Johnson trade, allowed just three hits, struck out eight and handled the two-time World Series champions like an old pro.
''If they pitch like they pitched tonight, then we're not going to win the series,'' Yankees reliever Jeff Nelson said.
The 24-year-old right-hander stranded runners at third base in the third and fifth innings and escaped a two-on, no-outs jam in the sixth.
With the crowd on its feet, Mariners manager Lou Piniella went to the mound.
''I was feeling pretty good. I had a lot of confidence,'' Garcia remembered telling his manager.
Piniella stuck with Garcia, who struck out Paul O'Neill and Bernie Williams, then retired David Justice on a flyout Mike Cameron caught one step in front of the center-field fence.
''He got three pretty tough hitters there,'' Piniella said. ''He should be proud of his effort tonight.''
Jose Paniagua, Arthur Rhodes and Kazuhiro Sasaki combined for three-hit relief, with Sasaki getting three outs for his third save of the playoffs.
Seattle pitchers struck out 13, including Derek Jeter three times, and Torre even pinch hit Glenallen Hill in the eighth for O'Neill, just 4-for-22 in the playoffs, including three infield hits.
''Paul's been struggling a little bit. I felt it was a chance to pop one,'' Torre said. ''It's not something I like doing and may not do again. He understands the situation.''
Even Piniella was surprised.
''Joe caught us totally off guard with that move,'' Piniella said.
The Mariners bullpen has pitched 14 scoreless innings in the postseason.
