Wings Surprised By Yanks' Issues With Mound

Andy Pettitte never made any excuses for his rough outing in Rochester, but Yankee GM Brian Cashman did.

Cashman blamed the mound at Frontier Field as part of the reason Pettitte was touched up for five runs and eight hits Sunday against Pawtucket.

According to Cashman, those watching Pettitte said he had difficulties with the Frontier Field mound, something other pitchers have complained about. "After watching a big-leaguer struggle with it, they're going to rebuild it,'' Cashman said. "It's just not very good.''

Red Wings GM Dan Mason said he was surprised by Cashman's comments and did not think there was anything wrong with the mound. "We put a lot of time and a lot of effort and a lot of money into the field at the end of the season last year," Mason said. "We're constantly trying to make sure the field is good. We'll continue to improve it as much as we can."

Mason also said the Wings have been and will continue to work with the coaching staffs, especially the pitching coaches, from both the Yanks and the Wings to make sure the mound is acceptable. He did not think this would affect the possibility of more Yankee pitchers making rehab starts in Rochester the rest of this year.