Mound meetings slowing Series

MOWING ‘EM DOWN: Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cliff Lee, above, pitches during Game 5 of the World Series Monday night against the New York Yankees at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. The Benton native allowed five runs in seven-plus innings as the Phillies, trailing the series 3-1, led 8-5 in the eighth inning at presstime. Chase Utley hit two home runs, including a three-run shot off Yankees starter A.J. Burnett. Burnett, a North Little Rock native, allowed six runs on four hits in two innings.

PHILADELPHIA – All those meetings on the mound called by catcher Jorge Posada and the New York Yankees are giving Major League Baseball pause, too.

Posada and pals visited pitcher CC Sabathia eight times – in a single inning – on Sunday night, grinding Game 4 of the World Series to a standstill. Agitated Phillies fans booed each trip.

MLB vice president of umpiring Mike Port said frequent mound meetings by all teams likely would be discussed by baseball officials this offseason.

“It would fall under the province of pace of game,” Port said before the Yankees...

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November, 2009