DAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Mariano Rivera's save was the 38th postseason save of his distinguished career - and his 10th in World Series play.
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Rivera works hard for one more save
NEW YORK – The sound was familiar, that pounding beat of Metallica's "Enter Sandman."
So was the outcome.
Those familiar chords were Mariano Rivera's cue, and the greatest relief pitcher of all time made his way to the mound as most of the crowd in Yankee Stadium rocked to the music as well as the sight of the man who has closed more postseason games than anyone in baseball history.
Rivera did what Rivera does. He closed out Game 2 of the World Series as the Yankees pulled even with a 3-1 victory last night in Yankee Stadium.
But both Yankees manager Joe Girardi and the Phillies made Rivera work overtime for his 38th career postseason save, creating some question as to the righthander's availability and effectiveness when the series moves to Citizens Bank Park this weekend.
Rivera pitched the eighth and the ninth innings. It was his 13th career two-inning, postseason save and his second in a row. He did the same thing in the ALCS Game 6 clincher against Anaheim.
But this was no simple save. The Phillies put two runners on in the eighth inning, thanks to a great at-bat that ended in a walk by Jimmy Rollins and a single by Shane Victorino.
Rivera escaped that jam when Chase Utley grounded sharply into a double play.
In the ninth, Rivera allowed a two-out double to Raul Ibanez before finishing the game by striking out Matt Stairs.
Rivera threw 39 pitches - three saves' worth for some relief pitchers.
"We can hit Rivera," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "We can hit any closer. He's good. He's one of the best, if not the best. But I've seen our team handle good pitching."
Girardi said he thought Rivera would be available for Game 3 tomorrow night in South Philadelphia.
"I would think so," Girardi said. "He threw 34 [pitches vs. the Angels in Game 6] and would have been available after an off day or the next day. I think he'll be fine."
Girardi said Rivera is one of those rare modern closers who can pitch both the eighth and the ninth innings.
"He did the same thing back in '96 when I caught him, and he was the setup man," Girardi said. "We don't like to do it in the regular season. But it's real effective for us."
Rivera, as well as shortstop Derek Jeter, have been the constants for the Yankees from their great run in the late 1990s through to this latest appearance in the World Series.
Just shy of his 40th birthday, Rivera has shown few signs of slowing down. He has converted an astounding 113-of-118 save opportunities (95.8 percent) in the regular season since blowing his first two chances in 2007, the best ratio in the major leagues in that span.
But Rivera is best known for his work on the big stage, in the postseason. He entered last night's game with a 0.77 ERA in 84 postseason appearances, another major-league record.
When the Angels scored an earned run off him in Game 6 of the ALCS, it snapped a streak of 25 consecutive home postseason outings without allowing an earned run.
That familiar sound, that pounding beat of "Enter Sandman," usually signals doom for Yankees opponents, especially in October.
Last night was no different, although it wasn't lights-out. The Phillies know they pushed Rivera to the limit.
Contact staff writer Phil Anastasia at 856-779-3223 or panastasia@phillynews.com
