Chien-Ming Wang’s line wasn’t overly impressive, except for one number – seven.
That is the amount of innings Wang pitched last night in his 6-5 win over the Marlins at the Stadium.
In his seven innings, Wang gave up four earned runs and nine hits, but he did enough to win, while giving the bullpen outside of Kyle Farnsworth and Mariano Rivera another day of rest.
With the struggling Shawn Chacon scheduled to start today for the Yankees, it was imperative for Wang to give Joe Torre length once again. Wang has pitched at least seven innings in each of his last four starts and five of his last six.
“It gets to the point and you don’t like to do this but you count on him,” Torre said. “You never like to put that on any kid with the limited experience that he has, but the way he has pitched you just feel that way.
“You have to pinch yourself and to continue to treat him as a newcomer, as a young kid, who is still learning, as opposed to a seasoned pro like he is pitching.
But, yes, it is unusual.” It is not even July and Wang has already matched his victory total of eight in his rookie season, which took 17 starts. In 15 starts this season, Wang is 8-3 with a 4.14 ERA.
In Wang’s last start in Washington Sunday, he threw admirably into the ninth, but on his final pitch he allowed a Ryan Zimmerman two-run game-winning home run.
After the loss and again on Monday, Torre and pitching coach Ron Guidry spoke with Wang and told him that they trusted him.
“It made me feel better,” Wang said.
Last night, no pep talk was needed. After the Yankees provided Wang with a threerun in the first, Wang let up three his own in the top of the second.
Still, pitching without his best stuff, Wang fought through, allowing the Yankee offense to carry him to victory, while he gave most of the bullpen a night off.
Today, it is up to Chacon to find his magic from last year. Since returning from the DL 11 days ago, Chacon has started twice and lasted just five innings and 4 1/3. Torre needs Chacon to follow Wang’s lead and give the Yankees’ some length.
“It’s important from all our starters,” Torre said. “First off, Chacon, I think last year, had no trouble giving us length.
Between him and Wang, we got to the 7th or 8th inning without any problem. He has not been able to get that feel or effectiveness this year.” Chacon said he must be aggressive and trust his stuff to return to last season’s form.
“Last year, was kind of like, ‘Let’s see what we get from this guy.’ I kind of got that feeling,” said Chacon, who is 4-1, despite a 5.89 ERA.
“This year, it is like, ‘Alright, we know what is capable of, now he needs to go out and do it.'” Wang is doing it. He looks like a Yankee veteran, making Torre pinch himself.