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No first-time jitters Halama shows poise in postseason debut
NEW YORK (AP) -- John Halama didn't look like a postseason rookie. The 28-year-old native of Brooklyn bobbed and weaved out of trouble for six shutout innings for the Seattle Mariners in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees on Wednesday. He put Seattle in position to win, leaving with his team ahead 1-0. But relievers Arthur Rhodes and Jose Mesa combined to allow seven runs on eight hits in the eighth inning as the Yankees evened the series with a 7-1 victory. "Our plans all along were to pitch (Halama) six innings, and go to our bullpen. He gave us exactly what we wanted," Mariners manager Lou Piniella said. "We're going to have to find a way to score more runs." Halama, in his second full season in the majors, was making his first career postseason start, and was pitching for the first time since Sept. 30. None of that showed one bit. He gave up five hits over six shutout innings as shadows crept across the field while the stunning autumn afternoon turned into a crisp evening under a bright moon. Halama was a study in perpetual motion, breathing into his hand, shrugging his shoulders and tugging at the right sleeve of his jersey before nearly every one of his 83 pitches. "I was hoping they wouldn't break out of their slump," Halama said. "They have a very potent lineup." Halama, like Game 1 winner Freddy Garcia, was acquired by Seattle from Houston two years ago in the Randy Johnson trade. Halama left 14 tickets for family and friends Wednesday, and then gave them quite a show, letting only one runner get past second base. His biggest problem came in the first inning, when the Yankees loaded the bases with no outs. But Bernie Williams hit a ball that died inches in front of the plate, and catcher Dan Wilson stepped on home, then threw to first for a double play. Tino Martinez then grounded out. When Scott Brosius reached on an infield single leading off the third, Halama picked him off before throwing a single pitch to the next batter. Chuck Knoblauch then flied to center. The ball hit the top of Mike Cameron's glove and rolled down the back before Cameron plucked the ball out of the air with his bare right hand for the out. With two on in the fifth inning after a double and a walk, David Justice managed only a weak grounder to second. Third baseman David Bell made a diving backhand stop on Luis Sojo leading off the seventh. After Brosius singled, pinch-runner Jose Vizcaino stole second with two outs and took third when Wilson's throw bounced into center for an error. But Derek Jeter followed with his fourth strikeout of the series. "My performance basically goes to waste," Halama said. "I could have gone one more (inning), but I don't question Lou's decision. With our bullpen normally you only have to go five."
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