MO-ments: 21 Rivera Games
October 2, 2013 by Josh Robbins · Leave a Comment
During the past 18 years, I had the opportunity to watch Mariano Rivera pitch on 21 separate occasions. Listed below are the appearances ranked from least effective to most memorable:
Game 21: June 28, 1996 at Yankee Stadium vs. Baltimore Orioles
Mariano Rivera relieves Dwight Gooden in the seventh inning with the scored tied 2-2. The right-hander pitches two scoreless innings before faltering in the ninth. Following singles to Roberto Alomar and Cal Ripken, ***Rafael Palmeiro blasts a three-run homer to right field making the final score 7-4.
Mo-ment : 2.33IP/4H/3ER/2BB/2K
Game 20: April 11, 1997 at Yankee Stadium vs. Oakland A’s
David Cone pitches seven brilliant innings during the home opener. Rivera enters the game in the ninth inning, as the new closer, following the departure of John Wetteland. The first batter, Mark McGwire blasts a home run to centerfield tying the score 1-1. The Yankees lost the game 3-1 in 11 innings.
Mo-ment: 1IP/3H/1ER/0BB/0K
Game 19: April 25, 1999 at Yankee Stadium vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Rivera enters the game in the eighth inning with a 3-2 lead and a runner on third base with two outs. The ninth inning proves costly. The closer allows the tying run to score following two passed balls and a double. The Yankees won the game 4-3 in 11 innings.
Mo-ments: 1.33IP/2H/1ER/1BB/1K
Game 18: August 27, 2006 at Angels Stadium
Mariano enters the game in the eighth inning with an 11-5 lead, before allowing two inherited runners to score via an error. In the ninth, Rivera allows one run following a HBP and single. The Yankees won the game 11-8. ***This was the only victory in seven years living in Southern California that the Bronx Bombers won with me in the stands.
Mo-ments: 2IP/1H/1ER/0BB/3K
Game 17: August 7, 1996 at Yankee Stadium vs. Chicago White Sox
In the eighth inning, Rivera appears in the game with the score tied 3-3. The ace reliever uses only seven pitches to retire the side. However, the White Sox scored five runs in the tenth inning defeating the Yankees, 8-4.
Mo-ments: 1IP/0H/0ER/0BB/1K
Game 16: August 24, 2011 at Yankee Stadium vs. Oakland A’s
In the ninth inning, Rivera is summoned from the bullpen with the score tied 3-3. Mariano pitches a scoreless frame using only twelve pitches. The Yankees lost 6-4 in 10 innings.
Mo-ments: 1IP/0H/0ER/0BB/2K
Game 15: May 25, 2005 at Yankee Stadium vs. Detroit Tigers
Chien-Ming Wang pitches superbly into the seventh inning, thanks impart to an incredible game-saving catch by Derek Jeter. Rivera allows only a two-out walk before completing his tenth save of the season. The Yankees won 4-2.
Mo-ments: 1IP/0H/0ER/1BB/0K
Game 14: July 6, 2003 at Yankee Stadium vs. Boston Red Sox
Andy Pettitte throws eight brilliant innings striking out 10 batters before handing the ball to Mariano in the ninth. Rivera allows consecutive singles to begin the inning before retiring the last three batters of the game. The Yankees won 7-1.
Mo-ments: 1IP/2H/0ER/0BB/1K
Game 13: May 15, 2005 at McAfee Coliseum
Randy Johnson wins the 250 th
game of his MLB career following an efficient 1-2-3 save from Rivera. The ace reliever retires the side on seven pitches. The Yankees won 6-4.
Mo-ments: 1IP/0H/0ER/0BB/0K
Game 12: May 27, 1999 at Yankee Stadium vs. Boston Red Sox
Roger Clemens throws seven innings of two-hit baseball before Mariano saves the game in the ninth. The right-hander retires the side on just FIVE pitches.
Mo-ments: 1IP/0H/0ER/0BB/0K
Game 11: June 22, 1998 at Yankee Stadium vs. Atlanta Braves
A marquee pitching match up between Greg Maddux and Andy Pettitte ends in a 6-4 Yankees victory. Mariano uses just six pitches to record the save.
Mo-ments: 1IP/1H/0ER/0BB/0K
Game 10: May 21, 1996 at Yankee Stadium vs. Oakland A’s
Dwight Gooden makes his encore start after twirling a no-hitter in his last outing. The right-hander throws seven innings before Mariano finishes the game. The Yankees won 7-3.
Mo-ments: 2IP/1H/0ER/0BB/1K
Game 9: July 9, 2008 at Yankee Stadium vs. Tampa Bay Rays
My last game ever at old Yankee Stadium ends in a 2-1 triumph. Derek Jeter scores the winning run in the bottom of the tenth inning. Mariano records the win after throwing two hitless innings of relief. This Week in Baseball (TWIB) captures our moment .
Mo-ments: 2IP/0H/0ER/1BB/4K
Game 8: April 28, 1996 at Yankee Stadium vs. Minnesota Twins
The first time watching Mariano Rivera pitch live was spectacular. The ace right-hander tosses three hitless innings in relief of Jimmy Key. The Yankees won 6-3.
Mo-ments: 3IP/0H/0ER/1BB/5K
Game 7: September 3, 2013 at Yankee Stadium vs. Chicago White Sox
The final time watching Rivera almost never happened. Thanks to a five-run eighth inning rally, “Enter Sandman” appeared one last time in my honor. Mariano recorded his 40 th save of the season retiring the side in order. The Yankees won 6-4.
Mo-ments: 1IP/0H/0ER/0BB/2K
Game 6: August 3, 2013 at PetCo Park
Yours truly takes a big chance and drives from Phoenix, AZ to San Diego, CA hoping to witness Rivera pitch again. Rivera emerges from the bullpen in the ninth inning, recording three outs on nine pitches! The Yankees won 3-0.
Mo-ments: 1IP/0H/0ER/0BB/1K
Game 5: October 22, 2009 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Rivera enters Game 5 of the 2009 ALCS with two runners on base and one out. The closer strands both inherited runners and enables his team a chance to win in the ninth. The Yankees lose 7-6.
Mo-ments: 0.67IP/0H/0ER/0BB/0K
Game 4: October 2, 1996 at Yankee Stadium vs. Texas Rangers
Mariano enters Game 2 of the 1996 ALDS in relief of a struggling Andy Pettitte. The reliever retires all eight batters faced, which enables the Yankees to extend the game before winning 5-4 in 12 innings.
Mo-ments: 2.67IP/0H/0ER/0BB/1K
Game 3: October 20, 1998 at Qualcomm Stadium
After a stirring eighth inning rally, Rivera is summoned into Game 3 of the 1998 World Series. The right-hander allows consecutive two-out singles in the ninth before striking out Andy Sheets to end the game. The Yankees won 5-4.
Mo-ments: 1.67IP/3H/0ER/0BB/2K
Game 2: October 15, 2001 at Yankee Stadium vs. Oakland A’s
Just one month after 9-11, Rivera enters the decisive Game 5 of 2001 ALDS in the eighth inning. The closer finishes the game helping the Yankees advance to the ALCS, winning 5-3.
Mo-ments: 2IP/1H/0ER/0BB/2K
Game 1: October 21, 1998 at Qualcomm Stadium
The greatest moment of my sporting life occurred on this night in San Diego. Rivera enters Game 4 of the 1998 World Series in the eighth inning. Sven Jenkins and I sneak into the game and have footage to prove it! Rivera induces a weak ground ball off the bat of Mark Sweeney to Scott Brosius…the Yankees won the 1998 World Series!
Mo-ments: 1.33IP/2H/0ER/0BB/0K
Fittingly, the number one Mo-ment occurred during a game started by Andy Pettitte and saved by Mariano Rivera. Thanks for the memories.
Rivera Box Score:
| RIVERA |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
SO |
SV |
W |
L |
RANK |
| * | 2.33 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
21 |
| * | 1.00 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
20 |
| * | 1.33 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
19 |
| * | 2.00 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
18 |
| * | 1.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
17 |
| * | 1.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
16 |
| * | 1.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
15 |
| * | 1.00 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
14 |
| * | 1.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
13 |
| * | 1.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
12 |
| * | 1.00 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
11 |
| * | 2.00 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
| * | 2.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
9 |
| * | 3.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
8 |
|
|
1.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
| * | 1.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
| * | 0.67 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
| * | 2.67 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
| * | 1.67 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
| * | 2.00 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
| * | 1.33 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * |
| TOTALS | 31.00 |
20 |
6 |
6 |
8 |
25 |
9 |
2 |
1 |
* |
| * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * |
| ERA | 1.74 |
* | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * |
| WHIP | 0.90 |
* | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * |
