NEW YORK | It was easy to overlook Yasuhiko Yabuta on Monday in the glare of José Guillen’s ongoing power flex and the nail-biting finish in which Joakim Soria closed out a 3-2 victory over the Yankees.
Finally, though, Yabuta is pitching like the reliever the Royals believed they were getting for their $6 million investment.
“He’s done a good job lately,” manager Trey Hillman said, “in some tough situations.”
Yabuta bailed out Ramon Ramirez in the eighth inning Monday after the Yankees put runners at first and second with two outs. Yabuta ended the inning by retiring Bobby Abreu on a grounder to first.
That positioned Yabuta, 1-0, for his first victory when Guillen led off the ninth with a homer against Mariano Rivera.
“First of all,” Yabuta said through an interpreter, “I’m glad the team won. But, yes, I’m also glad to get my first win. I’ve seen this stadium on TV in Japan, and I’m real excited to get my first win here.
“I heard this is the final year for this stadium, so I was excited to be able to pitch here.”
Yabuta hasn’t allowed a run in his last five appearances and has given up only one run in his last 11 outings. His ERA is down to 4.91.
Meche staying put
Right-hander Gil Meche just laughs at those rumors circulating regarding a possible trade sending him to the Chicago Cubs.
“How’s that going to happen?” he asked.
Meche has a no-trade clause in his contract and said he hasn’t been asked to waive it. Furthermore, he has no interest in doing so.
General manager Dayton Moore declined to comment on the rumor, but club officials privately dismissed it. One said, “If we’re going to make a run at this thing in 2010, how are we going to do it without Gil Meche?”
Meche is in the second season of a five-year contract for $55 million. He has struggled for much of this season and enters tonight’s start against Texas at 3-8 with a 5.54 ERA.
Guillen on a roll
Guillen promised to start hitting once the weather warmed up — and it was plenty warm this weekend in New York. Even a sore right hip and a deep bruise on his left shin can’t slow him down.
“Hot is the operative word,” Hillman said. “When he’s in warmer weather, which he prefers, he’s a lot better. He doesn’t like cold weather.
“When he’s in a hot streak, I see balance at the plate. Even on foul balls, you see he has really good approaches on pitches that he can do something with.”
Guillen raised his average to a season-high .269 by getting a double and a homer in Monday’s victory. He is batting .371 in 31 games since May 7 with 13 doubles, eight homers and 34 RBIs.
“I’m the same guy,” he insisted. “You just go up there and swing. Sometimes, you’re going to catch one of those (stretches) when you’re seeing the ball well. Things come your way. But when it’s not going your way, it’s not going your way. It’s a crazy game.”
The three hole
Even Guillen’s tear as the lineup’s cleanup hitter can’t unlock the No. 3 spot in the order.
“They should see better pitches,” Hillman said. “It would be nice if we had a little more consistency and production in that spot. I don’t have any answers for you. I wish I did. I’m looking for them as well.”
The three hole is batting just .222 after Mark Teahen went zero for four in Monday’s 3-2 victory over the Yankees. That spot in the lineup also has just five homers and 25 RBIs through 64 games.
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