A-Rod still hitless in first Series
October 30, 2009
NEW YORK (AP)—Kate Hudson was talking to Kurt Russell when she suddenlystopped, leaned forward in a second-row box seat and clasped her hands together.
Moments later, she kicked back and shook her head. The mighty A-Rod hadstruck out—again.
A beast in the AL playoffs, Alex Rodriguez(notes) has become a bust in his firstWorld Series.
Totally out of whack, swinging at shadows, his performance at the plate inGame 2 Thursday night mirrored his output in the opener. So far: 0 for 8 withsix strikeouts.
“I’m not concerned,” the New York Yankees star said. “The fact that I’m0-fer in this Series and we’re 1-1 makes me feel good.”
Hudson sure didn’t seem to enjoy watching her boyfriend struggle against thePhiladelphia Phillies during the Yankees’ 3-1 win.
The actress grimaced when Rodriguez flailed at a changeup from PedroMartinez(notes) in the sixth inning—Rodriguez flipped his bat after his body bent outof shape chasing the pitch. She edged closer to a TV monitor to watch a replayafter he was called out on strikes in the eighth.
“I’ve missed some pitches, fouled some off,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez seemed ready to put all his October failures behind him afterhammering his way through the first two rounds, hitting a combined .438 withfive home runs and 12 RBIs against Minnesota and the Los Angeles Angels.
But after striking out three times in a game only twice all year, he’s doneit in each of the first two games against the Phils. Cliff Lee(notes) got him onWednesday night, then Martinez and Ryan Madson(notes) stopped him.
“I think they’re being careful,” Rodriguez said.
This isn’t a good sign for him, either: Cole Hamels(notes) is set to start Game 3for the Phillies on Saturday night. During the regular season, Hamels was theonly pitcher to fan Rodriguez three times in a game.
Hardly what anyone expected from the three-time MVP, a guy who waited 16years to get this far. Seldom-used Matt Stairs(notes) and Jerry Hairston Jr.(notes) each havea hit in this Series.
A-Rod, however, is A-Zero.
Russell, a former minor leaguer in the Angels’ organization and the longtimecompanion of Hudson’s mother, Goldie Hawn, cupped his hands together and shoutedencouragement to Rodriguez in the late innings. Didn’t work.
“I know he’ll bounce back,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “Obviouslyyou want him to continue on the torrid pace that he was on, but he’ll bounceback, and we’ll get it going with him in Philly.”
Mark Teixeira(notes) also was hitless in his Series debut until launching a tying,solo home run in the fourth inning. Rodriguez was up next and with the crowdrooting for the Yankees’ cleanup man to connect, he hit a routine fly ball.
“The first couple of series, Alex carried the entire offense, really,”Teixeira said. “He hasn’t gotten any hits, but I’m going to bet Alex is goingto be fine the rest of the Series. And if not, then hopefully me or a coupleother guys are going to step it up and do what we’ve done all season.”
