Yankees' Soriano: I'm Sorry For Ducking Media
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) — Rafael Soriano is already learning a lot about playing for the Yankees.
The former Rays closer, who was signed in the offseason by New York to be the eighth-inning setup guy for Mariano Rivera, put together scoreless outings in his first two appearances before blowing a four-run lead in a loss to the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night.
"I got mad because I think that's a game CC (Sabathia) is supposed to win," Soriano said. "It didn't happen and that's why I got mad. I don't feel comfortable to talk."
Soriano was nowhere to be found in the clubhouse after the game, drawing the ire of the often-harsh New York media.
"He's new to this market, so like everything else, you live and you learn," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "We have to bang out some kinks, and that was one. It's not a major one, but it is one nonetheless."
He finally appeared before Wednesday night's rainout, offering a mea culpa and promising that he'll be available — good or bad — whenever he pitches this season.
"I'm apologizing that I didn't talk to you guys last night," he said. "I know last night I was supposed to talk to you guys and I left."
"Everyone has to realize it's an important aspect of the job," said Cashman. "Not just playing on the field but being accountable in that clubhouse."
Soriano also ignored an important phone call after Tuesday's game -- from his mother.
"I (didn't) talk to my mom either," he told WCBS 880's Suzyn Waldman. "Today I'll call her, say I'm sorry I didn't answer my phone last night but, you know, I'm good today and forget whatever happened last night."
LISTEN: Yankees reliever Rafael Soriano talks to Suzyn Waldman about his Bronx faux pas
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Because of the rainout, Soriano will get an extra day of rest after throwing 19 pitches on Monday night and 32 more in the Yankees' meltdown Tuesday night, when he allowed a hit and three walks while only retiring two batters during a 5-4 loss in 10 innings.
"Always to me there's a difference when I'm in a situation like that," Soriano said. "I don't know why. You see a lot of closers when they're in a situation like that sometimes you give up a couple of runs. That's what happened to me the last three years. I tried to do the best that I can last night and nothing happened. It was a bad day."
Is all well and good now with Soriano? Let us know in the comments below...
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