Private survey shows US hiring up modestly in May

WASHINGTON — A private survey shows U.S. businesses boosted hiring in May modestly, a sign that the job market is recovering only slowly.

Payroll provider ADP says that businesses added 133,000 jobs last month. That's higher than the revised total of 113,000 jobs it reported for April, which was the weakest in seven months.

The report only covers hiring in the private sector and excludes government job growth. The Labor Department will offer a more complete picture of May hiring on Friday.

The ADP survey has often deviated sharply from the government report. For example in March, the Labor Department said employers added just 154,000 — much lower than ADP's estimate of 201,000.

Labor Department, private survey, private sector, government job

Nypost.com

Hondo coasting with Dodgers

The Great Verlander, who clearly despises Hondo, flopped in Fenway last night to push the runaway deficit to a flabby 1,750 luzinskis.

Tonight, Mr. Aitch is baitin’ Clayton with an investment – 10 units on the Dodgers to chug past the Brewers.

-$

Julie Warning, a Global Studies teacher at Manhattan Theater Lab HS, was photographed sucking face (as opposed to eating face, as they do sometimes in Miami) with an 18-year-old student at a park in Greenwich Village. If she wants to avoid being photo’d in such compromising positions, maybe she should follow the alleged example of UFT prez Michael Mulgrew and confine her sexual dalliances to the wood shop . . . Regarding discipline for the couple, the teacher has been reassigned, while the student hopes to get off with Warning . . . Fleet Week ends tomorrow and not a moment too soon for Chris Hayes. The MSNBC Weekend Gasbag has been feeling uncomfortable being in such close physical proximity to all those brave soldiers.

hondo@nypost.com

Manhattan Theater Lab HS, Global Studies teacher, Michael Mulgrew, face, the Dodgers, compromising positions

Nypost.com

Yankees OF Gardner continues road back

ANAHEIM — Brett Gardner did some dry swinging with a bat yesterday in Tampa and didn’t have a problem with his strained right elbow.

Gardner will eventually progress to batting practice and a minor league rehab stint.

“At least 10 days,’’ Joe Girardi said of a timetable for Gardner’s return from the DL. He hasn’t played since April 17.

BOX SCORE

* David Robertson continued a throwing program in Tampa yesterday and the Yankees will send him on a minor league rehab assignment before bringing him off the DL. Hen hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since May 11.

* The five-game winning streak that ended last night with a 9-8 loss to the Angels glossed over a season-long problem for the Yankees: hitting with runners in scoring position.

During the five games that preceded the season-high, five-game winning streak, the Yankees went 1-5 and hit .077 (3-for-39) in the clutch.

While the hitters picked it up during the streak, it wasn’t like they punished pitchers in the clutch. In the five wins, the Yankees batted .200 (8-for-40) and never had more than two hits in a game with runners in scoring position.

The .220 average in the clutch the Yankees took into last night’s game against Jared Weaver was 24th among the 30 big-league teams and the Yankees ranked 18th in RBIs (136).

The Yankees went 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position last night but only one of them — Russell Martin’s two-run double — delivered runs.

Martin returned to the lineup last night after missing Sunday’s game in Oakland with a neck problem he suffered lifting weights Saturday. He went 2-for-5.

* Cory Wade gave up Mark Trumbo’s game-winning home run in the ninth but only three of his 20 relief appearances have been rocky.

In 21 2/3 innings, he has allowed 17 hits, fanned 25 and issued two unintentional walks.

* Albert Pujols’ recent hot streak didn’t shock Mark Teixeira, who remained hot by going 2-for-2 with a homer and three walks.

“It’s no surprise,’’ Teixeira said of the Angels slugger. “If anybody thought Albert Pujols was going to stay down for long they are crazy.’’

Pujols, who went 2-for-4, hit .217 (20-for-98) without a homer and four RBIs in April. He was at .235 with seven homers and 22 RBIs this month going into last night.

the Yankees, Brett Gardner, Albert Pujols, Joe Girardi, David Robertson, Mark Teixeira, the Angels, Yankees

Nypost.com

Yankees OF Gardner continues road back

ANAHEIM — Brett Gardner did some dry swinging with a bat yesterday in Tampa and didn’t have a problem with his strained right elbow.

Gardner will eventually progress to batting practice and a minor league rehab stint.

“At least 10 days,’’ Joe Girardi said of a timetable for Gardner’s return from the DL. He hasn’t played since April 17.

BOX SCORE

* David Robertson continued a throwing program in Tampa yesterday and the Yankees will send him on a minor league rehab assignment before bringing him off the DL. Hen hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since May 11.

* The five-game winning streak that ended last night with a 9-8 loss to the Angels glossed over a season-long problem for the Yankees: hitting with runners in scoring position.

During the five games that preceded the season-high, five-game winning streak, the Yankees went 1-5 and hit .077 (3-for-39) in the clutch.

While the hitters picked it up during the streak, it wasn’t like they punished pitchers in the clutch. In the five wins, the Yankees batted .200 (8-for-40) and never had more than two hits in a game with runners in scoring position.

The .220 average in the clutch the Yankees took into last night’s game against Jared Weaver was 24th among the 30 big-league teams and the Yankees ranked 18th in RBIs (136).

The Yankees went 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position last night but only one of them — Russell Martin’s two-run double — delivered runs.

Martin returned to the lineup last night after missing Sunday’s game in Oakland with a neck problem he suffered lifting weights Saturday. He went 2-for-5.

* Cory Wade gave up Mark Trumbo’s game-winning home run in the ninth but only three of his 20 relief appearances have been rocky.

In 21 2/3 innings, he has allowed 17 hits, fanned 25 and issued two unintentional walks.

* Albert Pujols’ recent hot streak didn’t shock Mark Teixeira, who remained hot by going 2-for-2 with a homer and three walks.

“It’s no surprise,’’ Teixeira said of the Angels slugger. “If anybody thought Albert Pujols was going to stay down for long they are crazy.’’

Pujols, who went 2-for-4, hit .217 (20-for-98) without a homer and four RBIs in April. He was at .235 with seven homers and 22 RBIs this month going into last night.

Yankees, Brett Gardner, the Yankees, Albert Pujols, David Robertson, Joe Girardi, Tampa, Mark Teixeira, the Angels

Nypost.com

Yonkers Results

FIRST-mile; pace; $22,000; cond.

2

HighOctaneN(SSmith)

3.80

2.50

2.30

7

MeantToBeMe(JPantaleno)

3.70

3.00

5

Life Up Front (J Stratton)

6.20

* Exacta (2-7) $20.20 * Triple (2-7-5) $115.00

SECOND-mile; pace; $19,000; cond.

2

GddyUpDlght(MMcDnld)

3.40

2.50

2.10

5

Canaco Run (P Lachance)

4.70

3.00

1

Expensive Toy (B Holland)

2.90

* Exacta (2-5) $12.80 * Triple (2-5-1) $35.00 * Daily double (2-2) $10.00Scr: Macraider N.

Winner picked by Smith
THIRD-mile; pace; $19,000; cond.

4

MnyTwtchA(MMcDnld)

21.40

6.30

4.10

1

MsBoldMneuver(EGoodell)

2.80

2.70

3

Mr Excellent (B Holland)

7.50

* Exacta (4-1) $62.00 * Triple (4-1-3) $290.50 * Superfecta (4-1-3-7) $1,721.00

FOURTH-mile; pace; $22,000; cond.

2

Electric Oui(EGoodell)

3.10

2.20

2.10

3

DallenbchHnover(JStrtton)

3.90

3.10

6

Western Dakota (S Vallee)

4.20

* Exacta (2-3) $12.20 * Triple (2-3-6) $74.00 * Pick 3 (2,8-4-2) $56.50

Winner picked by Smith
FIFTH-mile; pace; $18,000; cl.

5

Dan Chaz (E Goodell)

5.50

3.60

2.80

6

Allamerican Inca (JBartlett)

23.20

9.10

4

Mcgreat (C Manzi)

4.90

* Exacta (5-6) $112.50 * Triple (5-6-4) $463.50 * Superfecta (5-6-4-3) $3,817.00

Winner picked by Smith
SIXTH-mile; pace; $36,000; Open

1

WhckmlHnvr(BHllnd)

9.40

5.60

4.30

2

Bettor Design (E Goodell)

17.60

5.20

6

Flipper J (C Manzi)

5.60

* Exacta (1-2) $116.50 * Triple (1-2-6) $569.00 * Pick 4 (4-2-5-1) $873.00Scr: Sea Venture.

SEVENTH-mile; pace; $22,000; cond.

4

RockToGlory(JBrtlett)

4.40

2.40

2.40

2

WayneTheLefty(GBrennan)

2.20

2.40

3

Forest Vic A (S Smith)

3.00

* Exacta (4-2) $7.90 * Triple (4-2-3) $16.20 * Pick 3 (5-1-4) $82.50Scr: Saint William A.

EIGHTH-mile; pace; $30,000; cond

5

SandBenell(LStlbum)

28.00

17.00

7.10

7

Reibercrombie (J Bartlett)

12.80

7.80

3

Pan From Nantucket (C Manzi)

3.20

* Exacta (5-7) $150.50 * Triple (5-7-3) $978.00Scr: Poker Hat, Samandar.

NINTH-mile; pace; $18,000; cl.

3

Goddss'sJustn(CMnz)

4.30

3.50

2.20

8

Mr Salming (B Holland)

11.20

5.30

7

Ty's A Big Star (J Bartlett)

3.70

* Exacta (3-8) $61.00 * Triple (3-8-7) $169.00Scr: Strung Out, Froggy Turner.

TENTH-mile; pace; $20,000; cl.

2

Spy N (E Goodell)

4.20

2.50

2.10

6

Sparky (J Bartlett)

2.80

2.10

5

Wynsum Magic (J Stratton)

2.70

* Exacta (2-6) $13.00 * Triple (2-6-5) $32.80 * Superfecta (2-6-5-1) $72.50 * Pick 3 (5-1,3-2,4) $179.50 * Pick 4 (4-5-1,3,4-2,4) $920.00Scr: Ny Ice.

ELEVENTH-mile; pace; $22,000; cl.

1

Real Hero (J Stratton)

4.60

2.50

2.60

4

Winter Retreat A(BHolland)

3.20

2.90

5

Greystone Cash (E Goodell)

2.90

* Exacta (1-4) $20.40 * Triple (1-4-5) $57.50Scr: Pembroke Nick.

Wniner picked by Smith
TWELFTH-mile; pace; $26,000; cond.

1

HckoryHorc(JStrtton)

4.30

3.20

2.70

7

Jacked Up (G Brennan)

16.60

6.10

4

Bettor's Reward (M MacDonald)

5.00

* Exacta (1-7) $73.00 * Triple (1-7-4) $485.50 * Superfecta (1-7-4-8) $3,380.00 * Late double (1-1) $10.20

Wniner picked by Smith
Attendance: Unavailable
Total Handle: $733,740

J Stratton, B Holland, E Goodell, E Goodell, pace, C Manzi, J Bartlett

Nypost.com

Red Bulls star Henry dethrones Beckham as highest-paid MLS player

New York Red Bulls striker Thierry Henry replaced David Beckham as the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer after the veteran Galaxy midfielder took a wage cut to stay in Los Angeles.

Henry dethroned Beckham in the high-earners list, released Friday by the MLS Players Union, which unsurprisingly was dominated by franchise players from the two teams.

France's record goalscorer takes home a base salary of $5 million, rising to $5.6 million with guaranteed compensation.

Beckham would have outstripped Henry with his old contract, which brought the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder $6.5 million each season.

But he now finds himself third on the list with guaranteed earnings of $4 million after renegotiating his terms early in the new year.

Henry's Red Bulls teammate Rafael Marquez was second overall with $4.6 million total compensation.

Galaxy forward Robbie Keane was fourth with guaranteed earnings of $3.4 million, ahead of teammate Landon Donovan.

The US soccer star shared fifth spot with Toronto FC's former German international Torsten Frings, who both take home $2.4 million in 2012.

Beckham, 37, reportedly was offered a larger contract to join French club Paris Saint-Germain before electing to extend his career in Los Angeles.

David Beckham, Beckham, Thierry Henry, Major League Soccer, New York Red Bulls, MLS Players Union, Manchester United, Los Angeles, Real Madrid, Galaxy, Red Bulls, Torsten Frings

Nypost.com

PayPal new expansion

PayPal unveiled deals with 15 retailers including Toys R Us, JCPenney and Barnes & Noble, helping the online payment giant expand into more physical stores.

The deals add to a pact with Home Depot, which began accepting PayPal in about 2000 stores earlier this year.

One of the most important sources of future growth for eBay-owned PayPal may come from its expansion into physical stores — a much bigger market than its online roots. Other retailers included Office Depot and Footlocker.

Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters. Click For Restrictions

PayPal, Home Depot, Office Depot, Barnes & Noble, physical stores, JCPenney, Toys R Us, Thomson Reuters

Nypost.com

The Post Line

NBA Playoffs

Tomorrow

Favorite

Line

Underdog

CELTICS

5 1/2

76ers

Conference Finals

Sunday

SPURS

5 1/2

Thunder

Odds to Win Series

Favorite

Line

Underdog

Spurs

$170-200

Thunder

NHL Playoffs

Favorite

Line

Underdog

DEVILS

$105-125

Rangers

Home team in CAPS
Nypost.com

Leetch was amused by guarantee

The 1994 Conn Smythe Trophy playoff MVP remembers “We’ll Win Tonight.” How could he forget his buddy’s guarantee?

Hall of Famer Brian Leetch said it took the Rangers’ minds off other major issues.

“We were already dealing with Game 4, when Mike [Keenan] sat me and Mark for several shifts,” Leetch told The Post. “[Keenan] was telling everyone we were hurt, and we weren’t hurt.

“So we were focusing on that, and more questions about having to go into New Jersey and win.”

Then Messier uttered his promise, and that historic Battle of the Hudson turned.

“I don’t think that being prepared with something to say in the paper was ever in his mind,” Leetch said. “We hadn’t talked about it, the two of us, or as a group.

see more videos

Brian Leetch, Conn Smythe Trophy playoff MVP, ebook download

Nypost.com

Armstrong looks good to Nets

In 2006, Hilton Armstrong was the 12th overall pick in the NBA Draft, selected by the HorNets out of UConn. The Sonics (Thunder) and Wizards were two other teams Armstrong knew were interested in him at the time. And there was another team, drafting far later, that had him on its radar: the Nets.

“I didn’t know that,” the 6-foot-11 Armstrong said yesterday after the completion of the Nets’ three-day mini-camp for free agents. “I hope that’s a harbinger for some good things. It would be real nice to play here. I’d be real happy.”

Why not? The former lottery pick spent last year in France. Not that France was bad — “It was great,” Armstrong said. But it wasn’t the NBA. And now the Nets are headed for Brooklyn, which is doubly appealing for the Peekskill product.

“It’s awesome. I was so excited just to hear about it. Even if I wasn’t on the team, no matter where I was, to hear the area was getting another team was really exciting,” Armstrong said. “I called my friends and everybody back home in Peekskill was saying, ‘You’ve got to play for them, you’ve got to play for them.’ It would be great especially the first year there, it would be huge.”

So Armstrong was among the many players with NBA experience — he played five seasons, landing with five teams (Hornets, Kings, Rockets, Wizards, Hawks) — who hoped to impress Nets brass and coaches at the mini-camp.

“What I like about Hilton is he’s long and he knows how to play. I think the biggest thing for Hilton is doing it consistently,” Nets GM Billy King said. “I think he got better each day. ‘’I like his length, because the one thing is it’s hard to find athletic size in this league.”

Armstrong said his offensive game is still emerging. That and a team concept were the two things he tried to show the Nets this week.

“I took a couple of jump shots that I usually don’t take. I think that was my biggest problem through my career. I know I can shoot but for some reason when it comes to game time or in front of coaches, I tighten up,” Armstrong admitted. “Last year, I tried to play with a little more freedom and now I feel like I have much more to gain than I have to lose.

“I’m not trying to play selfish or anything,” Armstrong continued. “I know the coaches see that. I know some players — I’m not saying here today — but a lot of people try to play a little selfish trying to showcase themselves and I was never a scorer so that doesn’t hurt me. I just try to defend, rebound and be in the right place at the right time.”

And the one place he wasn’t for the Nets was at 22 and 23 in the 2006 draft. That’s where the Nets drafted Marcus Williams, then Josh Boone. Back then, former Nets president Rod Thorn talked approvingly of Armstrong, although they didn’t have any sit-downs.

“I never knew that. I’m glad my name was out there. I like that,” Armstrong said.

fred.kerber@nypost.com

Hilton Armstrong, Wizards, NBA, Wizards, Hawks, Hornets, Hornets, Nets

Nypost.com

Mets on deck vs. Padres

Tonight — 7:10, SNY

LHP Eric Stults

(0-0, 2.70) vs.

RHP Jeremy Hefner

(0-1, 2.25)

Tom. — 7:10, WPIX

RHP Anthony Bass

(2-4, 2.89) vs.

RHP Dillon Gee

(3-3, 5.44)

Saturday — 1:10, WPIX

LHP Clayton Richard (2-5, 4.63) vs.

LHP Johan Santana

(1-2, 3.24)

Sunday— 1:10, SNY

RHP Edinson Volquez (2-4, 3.49) vs.

R.A. Dickey (6-1, 3.45)

All games on WFAN (660 AM)

INSIDE THE MATCHUPS

METS: After pitching twice in relief, Hefner will be making his first start for the injured Miguel Batista. Hefner got the loss his last outing, pitching five innings and allowing four hits and two runs to go along with five strikeouts in replacing Batista. He was 3-2 in seven starts with Triple-A Buffalo this season.

PADRES: Stults made two appearances for the White Sox (one start, in which he went six innings, allowing two runs and four hits in a no decision) before being waived and claimed by the Padres. His first outing was a good one, lasting 6 2/3 innings, allowing only two runs, but he did not get a decision in the 3-2 win over the Angels. Stults has made three career starts against the Mets, going 1-1.

STAT SO?

METS: After Jon Niese’s start yesterday, the Mets improved to 19-8 this season when starters have thrown quality starts (six innings, three runs or fewer).

PADRES: Catcher Nick Hundley led the majors in throwing out base-runners, having thrown out 19 runners or 46 percent of would-be base-stealers prior to last night’s game.

Eric Stults, Jeremy Hefner, SNYRHP Edinson Volquez, Johan Santana, WPIXLHP Clayton Richard, Miguel Batista, Anthony Bass, WFAN, Dillon Gee, Hefner

Nypost.com

The battle of the Wall Street titans

Two heavyweights — hedge-fund titan John Paulson and Blackstone’s Steve Schwarzman — are butting heads in the CNL Hotels & Resorts bankruptcy case over the termination of some lucrative Hilton Hotel management contracts.

Paulson and Winthrop Realty Trust, which control the equity and put CNL into bankruptcy, are looking to cancel Blackstone’s Hilton Hotel management contracts that cover the Arizona Biltmore, the Grand Wailea in Maui, and La Quinta Resort & Club in Palm Springs, Calif., and others.

Michael Ashner, Winthrop CEO, confirmed that the Arizona Biltmore and the Claremont in Berkeley, Calif. “are being offered to a select group of buyers free and clear of any management agreements.”

Those sales are setting the stage for a battle as Hilton is valuing the contracts at $330 million while CNL values them at a mere $50 million.

Last week, a judge gave Paulson until June 24 to file a reorganization plan. A Blackstone spokesman declined comment.

John Paulson, Winthrop Realty Trust, Steve Schwarzman, CNL Hotels & Resorts bankruptcy case, Hilton Hotel, Arizona Biltmore, La Quinta Resort & Club, Blackstone, management contracts

Nypost.com

Yankees' season hinges on age-old question

Joel Sherman
Blog: Hardball

One of my favorite perks of this job came at the old Stadium, sitting next to now-retired Newsday columnist Steve Jacobson, a world-class storyteller who covered the Yankees as a beat in his younger days.

Jacobson’s tenure included the 1965 club, which fascinated me because its collapse ended a four-decades-long run of Yankees greatness. Since I was covering a sustained period of Yankee success, I was curious when folks knew ’65 would be different, that history and famous names would not save a franchise that had played in the past five World Series and nine of the previous 10?

Neil Miller

A-NOT: Alex Rodriguez flips his bat after striking out with the bases loaded in the fifth inning.

A few months into that season, Jacobson posed the “is-it-over” question to then-GM Ralph Houk, who responded tersely: “Do you really think [Mickey] Mantle won’t hit, that [Elston] Howard won’t hit, that [Roger] Maris won’t hit?” The answer was “no” as those older players faded in health and/or performance, and the Yanks went 77-85.

Now this is not the first time I have thought about that story. The recent-vintage Yankees have endured many halting starts raising the possibility that the party might be over. Yet every year, sans 2008, their talent and toughness carried them to the playoffs.

They were, for example, just 23-20 after 43 games last year and had seemingly squandered a chance to capitalize on the Red Sox’s poor start. Of course, the Yankees won 97 games and the AL East while Boston did not even make the playoffs.

With all of the offensive malfeasance of late — even in last night’s 3-2 victory over the Royals — the Yanks are just one game worse after 43 games this year, at 22-21.

“I keep hearing that [the Yanks are too old] every [bleeping] year,” Brian Cashman said. “It’s déjà vu. It has come upon us so many times. We are bad right now and we will be better.”

Still, there was something in Joe Girardi’s pre-game response yesterday that stirred the echoes of Houk when he all but asked: “Do you really think [Mark] Teixeira won’t hit, that [Alex] Rodriguez won’t hit?” He said of the veteran core, “These are the guys that have to get it done for us. ... We’re committed to them and they have to find a way to get it done.”

This is the cost of a relentless championship-or-bust culture: The Yankees are locked into a roster with less flexibility than the Washington Monument. Maybe Girardi can try to work at the margins, like he did in dropping Teixeira to seventh in the order. But Teixeira is in the lineup. This is not the struggling, low-paid Ike Davis with minor league options.

There are not a bunch of talented understudies who can make a difference. Jesus Montero was sacrificed to Seattle for Michael Pineda. Eduardo Nunez’s defensive ineptitude sent him back to Triple-A, where he is now on the DL with a finger injury. Maybe Brett Gardner’s speed can help at some point if he gets off the DL.

But to honor expectations, the Yanks are tied to their current group. The Yanks have too many other troubles — Mariano Rivera’s absence, an underperforming rotation, age, injuries — to survive the competitive AL East without their lineup being its familiar sledgehammer self. Over the previous 10 years the Yankees have finished in the top two in runs eight times and fourth once. The one year they were worse (10th in 2008), the Yanks didn’t make the playoffs. They are tied for eighth in runs in 2012. And, even in victory last night, the offense was miserable.

Luke Hochevar came in with a 7.02 ERA and a .365 average against with men on base. The Yankees went 2-for-13 with runners on and one was a bunt single that did not score a run. They won hanging on desperately against a bad team, yet uniformly spoke of better days to come. This is their script now — been-there-done-that confidence amid the storm.

No rancor. In fact, Girardi acknowledged he is not one to go menacing Billy Martin or inspiring Knute Rockne; not that either form of “motivation” would work. Cashman does not believe in firing managers or coaches during the season.

This is not about satisfying the bloodlust of dismayed fans. This isn’t the movies. A turnaround will not come with speeches or threats. There is no magical rookie waiting at Triple-A. The onus is on the locked-in current group. Do you think Teixeira won’t hit? Do you think A-Rod won’t hit? Do you think this lineup will suffer a yearlong flameout with runners in scoring position? Yes or no? Only the Yankee season hinges on the answers.

joel.sherman@nypost.com

the Yankees, the Yankees, the Yankees, Alex Rodriguez, Yanks, Yanks, The Yankees, Newsday columnist Steve Jacobson, Joe Girardi, Brian Cashman, Teixeira

Nypost.com

Feds set to review JP Morgan trading loss

WASHINGTON -- A US federal council charged with examining systemic financial risks is expected later Tuesday to discuss losses made by JP Morgan Chase of at least $2 billion from credit derivatives trades, according to a senior administration official.

The Financial Stability Oversight Council, made up of bank and securities regulators, plans to privately consider the losses, announced earlier this month, and how they pertain to a proposal that seeks to ban speculative trades by big banks, the official said Monday.

The proposal is known as the Volcker Rule after former Federal Reserve chief Paul Volcker, who suggested the idea.

The discussion comes after the nation's futures market regulator said Monday that it is investigating JP Morgan Chase's use of credit derivatives by the bank's chief investment office.

Gary Gensler, chief of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), told reporters about the investigation after speaking at the annual Financial Industry Regulatory Authority conference.

Gensler did not elaborate on what the CFTC was examining, saying the agency's investigation will join a review being conducted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the FBI.

The CFTC chief also indicated that he may have concerns with how some interpret a key part of the Volcker Rule, which seeks to prohibit big banks from trading stocks and derivatives with their own money and significantly limit banks' investments in hedge funds and private-equity funds.

Bank and securities regulators introduced a Volcker Rule proposal in October, but the CFTC did not propose its companion proposal until January.

Critics argue that a key provision in the proposed rules that permits investment hedging on a "portfolio basis" is a major loophole that allows big banks to violate the intent of the statute and continue speculating, with taxpayers and the financial system potentially on the hook if trades go sour.

The senior administration official said regulators are still trying to figure out exactly what happened at JP Morgan but that it was an example of a failure of their risk-management systems that can help inform regulators about how to write a strong Volcker Rule.

To read more, go to MarketWatch.

Financial Stability Oversight Council, JP Morgan Chase, Paul Volcker, Volcker Rule, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, CFTC, credit derivatives, senior administration, senior administration official, chief investment, Volcker Rule proposal, regulators, banks

Nypost.com

PSAL baseball rankings

The final week of the regular season was as unpredictable as the rest of the year and our rankings bear that out. Grand Street Campus is the only team in the same spot it was last week.

Cardozo and Tottenville each moves up one after George Washington fell to Norman Thomas. The Tigers are right behind GW at No. 5 followed by Queens A West winner John Adams.

For the full rundown and a look ahead at the upcoming PSAL Class A playoffs, read below:

1. Grand Street Campus (15-1) (Last week: 1)

Somehow, the Wolves aren’t the top seed in the PSAL Class A playoffs. Don’t ask how – it makes very little sense. Grand Street is the best team in the PSAL – it won Brooklyn A East, one of the league’s best divisions, and repeated as Monroe Tournament champions – and we expect them to show it over the next few weeks.

Lauren Marsh

Cardozo and Connor Doyle are now second in The Post's PSAL baseball rankings.

Next: Environmental Studies, PSAL Class A first round (May 23, 3:30 p.m.)

2. Cardozo (16-0) (3)

The PSAL seeding committee rewarded the Judges with the top overall seed in the Class A playoffs after a second straight undefeated league season. Cardozo’s road isn’t necessarily an easy one – Telecommunications is a possible roadblock in the quarterfinals – but the Judges should at least get to the final eight after they were upset in the second round a year ago.

Next: TBA, PSAL Class A first round (May 23, 3:30 p.m.)

3. Tottenville (13-3) (4)

Raise your hands if this sounds familiar. Tottenville begins the year with little fanfare, cruised to the Staten Island A title and shocks a few of the city’s other established powers en route to another championship. It wouldn’t surprise us one bit if history repeats itself – the Pirates have arguably the PSAL’s deepest pitching staff and the lineup, led by Anthony Capo, Joe Sessa and John Giakas, has come to life of late.

Next: Riverdale/Kingsbridge, PSAL Class A first round (May 23, 3:30 p.m.)

4. George Washington (14-2) (2)

Thursday’s loss to Norman Thomas was costly. It dropped the Trojans a few seeds, down to fourth, and instead of winning a third straight Manhattan A East crown, they split it with the rival Tigers. A third meeting between the two is a distinct possibility.

Next: John Bowne, PSAL Class A first round (May 23, 3:30 p.m.)

5. Norman Thomas (14-2) (7)

Luis Monell did a fine job in his first year running the program. He got the most out of this group, which lacked that one superstar, yet still shared the Manhattan A East crown with George Washington. Norman Thomas will be a factor over the next two weeks after earning the fifth seed in the city playoffs.

Next: Long Island City, PSAL Class A first round (May 23, 3:30 p.m. @ TBA)

6. John Adams (14-2) (5)

Glenn Beyer doesn't get enough credit. When the season began, William Bryant was the pick in Queens A West; instead Adams won the division crown going away. Led by co-aces Anderson DeLeon and Braylin Nunez, the Spartans could make some serious noise in the city playoffs.

Next: Luperon, PSAL Class A first round (May 23, 3:30 p.m.)

7. James Madison (13-3) (6)

It was a tough final week to the regular season for Madison as it dropped both contests against top-ranked Grand Street Campus and finished second for the second straight year in Brooklyn A East after owning the division for so long. The Knights gave the Wolves all they could handle in the second meeting, losing 4-3, and despite receiving the 12th seed in the playoffs, could make a long run on the strength of its deep pitching staff.

Next: DeWitt Clinton, PSAL Class A first round (May 23, 3:30 p.m.)

8. Telecommunications (13-3) (10)

The Yellow Jackets righted themselves just in time, winning their final five contests, including a series of sweep of rival Fort Hamilton, to claim the Brooklyn A West division title.

Next: Morris, PSAL Class A first round (May 23, 3:30 p.m. @ Ben Vitale Park)

9. James Monroe (13-3) (9)

By Monroe standards, this was a down season; by everyone else’s, it was a success. The Eagles still won Bronx A East again despite losing three league games could be dangerous as the seventh seed in the city playoffs if the pitching, so consistent of late, holds up.

Next: Curtis, PSAL Class A first round (May 23, 3:30 p.m.)

10. Manhattan Center (11-5) (8)

Manhattan Center ended its productive regular season on a down note, falling to Stuyvesant on Saturday. The Rams still went 11-5 in Manhattan A East – the best division in the PSAL if you ask us – and could give Tottenville all kinds of problems in the second round on Friday if the two meet as expected.

Next: New Utrecht, PSAL Class A first round (May 23, 3:30 p.m. @ Field of Dreams)

New: None

Dropped out : None

On the bubble: Beacon (13-3), Midwood (10-6), John F. Kennedy (11-5), Lehman (11-5), Stuyvesant (11-5), New Dorp (12-6), Newtown (12-4), Walton (5-11) and William Bryant (11-5)

zbraziller@nypost.com

George Washington, George Washington, Norman Thomas, Norman Thomas, Tottenville, Tottenville, Tottenville, Grand Street Campus, Grand Street Campus, PSAL, PSAL, The Tigers, John Adams, Queens A West, Manhattan A East, Manhattan A East, Brooklyn A East, Brooklyn A East, playoffs, playoffs

Nypost.com

‘Destiny’ ends Lukas’ 116-race skid in graded stakes

BALTIMORE — Snapping a mind-boggling streak of 116 straight losses in graded stakes races, Hall-of-Fame legend D. Wayne Lukas saddled 5-2 favorite Hamazing Destiny to win yesterday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Maryland Sprint Handicap at Pimlico by 1 1/2 lengths.

Ridden by Corey Nakatani, Hamazing Destiny chased the heated pace duel between Diski Dance and Immortal Eyes, ranged up to join them turning for home, then opened up down the stretch. Band Box rallied for second.

“He was the favorite and he ran like it,” said Lukas, who had Optimizer in the Preakness. “It’s a good way to start the day.”

Getty Images

AND THEY’RE OFF! Ovour The Top (No. 7,) leads the field down the front stretch in The President of the United Arab Emirates Cup, a Grade 1 race for purebred Arabian horses, before yesterday’s 137th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.

Lukas won the next race with 8-1 Skyring.

Hamazing Destiny, who won for the first time in 11 starts dating back to Sept. 2010, ran the six furlongs in 1:10.48 to pay $7.80. The exacta came back $30.20.

JAMES W. MURPHY STAKES

One race after the drought ended, a streak began.

Lukas’ 3-year-old colt Skyring led wire-to-wire in a turf thriller to win the $100,000 James W. Murphy Stakes to give the renowned trainer his second straight stakes triumph of the afternoon.

Skyring never had raced on turf, but the 76-year-old Lukas must have seen something to ship him to Maryland to run him in a turf stakes. The horse had no turf workouts but he is a son of English Channel, who is throwing turf winners in bunches.

With that record, Skyring escaped at 8-1 with top Californian jockey Joel Rosario.

He put Skyring on the lead right from the jump and he was never headed, though Hammers Terror, second choice at 3-1, pressed him all the way. In deep stretch, Easy Crossing, the 2-1, favorite and Mr Handsome, a 23-1 shot, joined them and all four fought a thrilling tussle to the wire.

Skyring beat Easy Crossing by a neck with Mr Handsome a nose back in third. The winner got the mile in 1.35.3 to pay $19.60. The exacta came back $69.40.

“I liked him the best of all my horses all day long,” Lukas said.

“[Lukas] told me the horse tries hard and never gives us,” Rosario said. “He was certainly right.”

ALLAIR DUPONT DISTAFF

Two races before trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Mike Smith teamed up in the Preakness with Bodemeister, they reached the winner’s circle when the 4-year-old filly Awesomemundo rallied wide into the stretch, then prevailed over Love and Pride in a long stretch duel to win the Grade 3, $100,000 Allaire Dupont Distaff by a head.

Owned by Baffert’s wife, Jill, Awesomemundo was making her first stakes appearance after winning three of her last four starts in California against maiden and allowance company.

After pressing the early pace set by Canadian Mistress, Love and Pride looked like a winner when she turned for home on top under John Velazquez. But then Awesomemundo came flying to her outside, and after appearing to bump a couple of times, Awesomemundo got up in the final strides.

The daughter of Awesome Again ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.70 to pay $4.80 as the favorite. The exacta returned $22.40.

Earlier on the card, Baffert and Smith won a 1 1/16-mile allowance race with the 3-year-old colt Paynter, a candidate for the June 9 Belmont Stakes.

DIXIE STAKES

It wouldn’t seem like a day at the track if the Todd Pletcher training juggernaut didn’t win a big race and yesterday was no exception when Hudson Steele demolished a strong field to win the Grade 2 $300,000 Dixie Stakes over 1¹/‚ˆ miles on the turf.

Bet down to 3-1 favorite with hot jockey Javier Castellano on board, Hudson Steele trekked pacesetter Straight Story out of the gate, took over at the top of the stretch and then ran away from them all to score by 2 1/2 lengths from 16-1 long shot Humble and Hungry with Forte Dei Marmi a half length back in third.

The winner, a 5-year-old gelding, has never been off the board in seven starts on the turf, with five wins and two seconds. He came to the Dixie off a similarly easy score in a minor stake at Pimlico three weeks ago.

Casino Host, the second choice at 7-2 with John Velazquez, had to give six pounds to Hundson Steele and never looked like winning. From gate 11, he fell back to midpack early and struggled on to get fourth.

Hudson Steele, who won the Jersey Derby two years ago, ran the trip in 1.47.1 to pay $8.20. The exacta returned $119.60.The only hard luck story came from jockey Mike Smith on Forte Dei Marmi. “We had a bad start,” he said. “He stumbled right out of the gate and it probably cost us second.”A beaming Pletcher said, “He [the winner] was loaded up the whole way. It was a real big effort.” Castellano said, “He exploded. It was amazing. He was so strong.” So were the bettors who knocked him down to 3-1.

D. Wayne Lukas, Pimlico, Preakness Stakes, Hudson Steele, Mike Smith, James W. Murphy Stakes, Bob Baffert, Hundson Steele, John Velazquez, John Velazquez

Nypost.com

Geithner a regulate guy

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has called assertions he is resistant to tough new financial rules “ridiculous.”

The former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said there is no evidence he has tried to water down new regulations being written as part of the Dodd-Frank overhaul of the financial system.

“I have been incredibly supportive, and the president’s been very tough in trying to make sure these reforms are tough and strong,” Geithner told PBS’s NewsHour Thursday night.

In the wake of losses at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., the White House is seeking to ensure a tough interpretation of a regulation designed to prevent banks from making bets with their own money, according to people familiar with the matter, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Geithner acknowledged that banks’ efforts to blunt the new rules have been “formidable,” but he said the lobbying is not succeeding in getting regulators to water down the rules.

“Actually the lobbying effort is very forceful,” Geithner said. “They’re putting a lot of money into it, and they’ve got a lot of political support from the president’s opponents. But it’s having no impact so far on our ability to write tough rules and put in reforms.”

When discussing the European sovereign debt crisis, Geithner said Europe now has “better tools for managing the crisis” and welcomed debate about how to strike a better balance between encouraging growth and reducing budget deficits through austerity programs.

Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., The Wall Street Journal, White House

Nypost.com

Pimlico Analysis

Post Time: 12:00 noon.

FIRST-1 1/16m; $25,000; hdcp; 3up(f)

UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE won allowance this distance. SNEAKY LIL lost two race winning streak when third as favorite. BAYONNE finished third in last three starts.

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

1 LadyOutflankrL112

TDnklb

2-2-4

15-1

2 Fragancia(LA),111

MChvs

1-3-4

20-1

3 Next Level(LA),112

X Perez

1-6-3

20-1

4 Franstein(L),113

SRussll

1-3-5

4-1

5 Bayonne(LA),115

ERamrz

3-3-3

10-1

6 UniverslLnggLA119

KCrmc

1-2-1

5-2

7 CongrPrncssLA114

HKrmn

5-8-2

8-1

8 Sneaky Lil(L),122

ACstlnJ

3-1-1

8-5

SECOND-1 1/16 miles(T); $45,000; alw; 3up

ZARROC drew the rail after winning by head this distance and level. UNDER CONTROL just missed by head at Keeneland. LONELY WHISTLE just missed by neck in debut.

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

1 Zarroc(LA),124

TPrmrn

1-5-3

10-1

2 MythicalHero(L)120

V Baze

7-6-6

20-1

3 Mr. Irons(LA),120

JPimntl

7-6-1

12-1

4 Cadre(L),124

GKntz

3-8-1

20-1

5 WildandWilyLA120

X Perez

5-1-6

30-1

6 Calvello(LA),120

RHmstJ

4-4-4

12-1

7 SilverTieAffarLA120

RNprvn

2-6-1

8-1

8 Witor(LA),120

SRussll

5-1-1

12-1

9 DistortedApplLA120

LGarcia

7-10-6

20-1

10 UnapprochblLA120

ACstlnJ

5-6-1

10-1

11 UnderControl(L)122

EWilsn

2-1-2

9-5

12 ShanghKnghtLA116

FBoyce

4-6-3

30-1

13 LonelyWhistle(L120

HKrmn

3-10-5

9-2

THIRD-5 1/2 fur; $43,000; mdn; 3up(f)

MEREDITHS STAR cuts back in distance after second in debut. LADY ARTEMIS and uncoupled entry mate HEAVEN KNOWS WHAT are firsters working steadily for debut.

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

2 MeredithsStrLA119

RNprvn

2-x-x

6-1

1 aMyLuckyShsLA124

TPrmrn

2-3-2

7-2

3 HvnKnwsWhtMA19

JPimntl

x-x-x

8-1

4 CashforkopperL119

V Baze

4-x-x

8-1

5 RoxburyRocketL119

LGarcia

2-x-x

8-1

6 Mendassity(MA119

RHmstJ

x-x-x

20-1

7 FooledbyFools(L119

EWilsn

2-2-2

15-1

1 aSmldrngBtyLA119

ETrujill

5-x-x

7-2

8 LadyArtemisMA119

FBoyce

x-x-x

6-1

9 LionDownbyML124

RFglsn

2-x-x

3-1

10 TurnagainByMA119

GKntz

x-x-x

30-1

FOURTH-6 fur; $45,000; alw; 3up

BELLAGIO closed to finish second in last two starts. WOLFCAMP won as the favorite last out. THE DEVIL YOU SAY drew rail.

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

2 TheDevilYoSyLA124

CWhite

1-3-6

20-1

3 Muscadine(LA),124

PCoksy

1-3-2

8-1

4 SaltandLight(LA118

ZCdmn

6-1-5

10-1

5 Class Rules(LA),124

J Small

3-2-1

4-1

6 Fleeter(LA),124

MWiley

4-2-5

6-1

7 BandidosYnqsL114

B Rubin

5-2-5

20-1

8 Officious(LA),124

JJellisn

3-12-2

7-2

9 Bellagio(LA),124

MTortr

2-2-1

9-5

1 a-Phil'sTango(L124

NoRidr

1-5-4

5-2

10 Wolfcamp(LA),128

NoRidr

1-2-1

3-1

11 IvyConnectinLA124

NoRidr

7-5-1

6-1

1 a-CostadeOro(L128

NoRidr

3-7-1

5-2

FIFTH-1 1/16m(T); $43,000; alw; 3up

HOBO RIDGE show steady works for seasonal debut. SHIMMERING FOREST closed to finish fourth going shorter. MOVING WEST defeated conditioned claimers.

Next >

1

2

BAYONNE, LA

Nypost.com

Strikes out batter, then retires

Kerry Wood, who electrified baseball with a 20-strikeout game as a rookie in 1998 before his career was slowed by injuries, is retiring — appropriately after one final strikeout.

Wood announced his decision yesterday after coming in to face a single batter in the eighth inning during the Cubs’ 3-2 loss to the White Sox at Wrigley Field.

Wood struck out Dayan Viciedo on three pitches before he was replaced. His teammates, who knew about the decision in advance, joined him on the mound to congratulate him and he left to a rousing ovation. He was hugged by his son as he reached the dugout and moments later, he came out for a curtain call waving his cap to the fans, who gave the right-hander a standing ovation.

Getty Images

KERRY ON: Cubs right-hander Kerry Wood carries his son, Justin, from the field after making his final major league appearance yesterday. He struck out the White Sox’s Dayan Viciedo on three pitches, then left the game and announced his retirement.

Wood finished his career with an 86-75 record, 63 saves and 1,581 strikeouts in 1,379 2/3 innings (10.3 per nine innings).

Woods, who pitched for the Cubs, Indians and Yankees in his 14 seasons in the major leagues, was taken by Chicago with the fourth pick in the 1995 draft. He broke in with the Cubs as a 21-year-old with a blazing fastball who struck out 233 batters in 166 2/3 innings in that 1998 season. He edged the Rockies’ Todd Helton for Rookie of the Year, but missed the entire 1999 season after having Tommy John surgery during spring training.

No no-no for Verlander

Justin Verlander came within two outs of his third no-hitter, allowing only Josh Harrison’s ninth-inning single in the Tigers’ 6-0 win over the Pirates last night in Detroit.

The 29-year-old Verlander, last year’s AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner, nearly became the sixth major league pitcher with at least three career no-hitters. But with one out in the ninth, Harrison reached out and flicked a clean single into center field.

The crowd at Comerica Park, already on its feet, gave Verlander a big ovation and the right-hander quickly finished off the Pirates with a pair of groundouts. Verlander completed his one-hit gem with 12 strikeouts and two walks.

Mixing a pinpoint fastball with his sweeping breaking ball, Verlander methodically set down the Pirates for seven innings — then really brought the crowd to life in the eighth. Casey McGehee struck out looking on a 98 mph fastball, then Nate McLouth went down swinging on a pitch that hit 99.

Verlander (5-1) reached 100 mph with his first pitch to Clint Barmes, and after getting him to chase an outside pitch for strike three, the Detroit ace walked slowly to the dugout and down the steps closest to home plate on the third-base side — while teammates used another entrance at the opposite end.

Kerry Wood, Dayan Viciedo, White Sox, Cubs, VerlanderJustin Verlander, Verlander, nine innings, rousing ovation, major league, Todd Helton

Nypost.com

Wright finally becoming ultimate leader for Mets

George Willis
Follow George on Twitter
Blog: By George

David Wright pulled a Michael Jordan yesterday at Citi Field. Riddled with flu-like symptoms, he riddled the Reds yesterday, continuing a torrid season that is forcing the Mets’ hand to sign him to a contract extension before it costs them a small fortune.

There were many heroes in the Mets’ 9-4 come-from-behind win. Lucas Duda had a key two-out, two-run double in the fifth inning; Ronny Cedeno hit a three-run homer in a five-run eighth inning and the bullpen trio of Jon Rauch, Bobby Parnell and Frank Francisco shut down the Reds after R.A. Dickey allowed four runs over the first six innings.

But the hub of the comeback was Wright, who sandwiched a pair of doubles around three walks to raise his batting average to .411. He also scored three runs. His double in the eighth drove in Rob Johnson with the go-ahead run, giving Wright six game-winning RBIs this season, tying him for the most in the major leagues.

You wouldn’t have known Wright was sick by his performance yesterday.

“What he’s doing is mythical,” said Dickey.

Wright has finally become the player the Mets have always envisioned him being, the kind of player who can not only put up big numbers but make his teammates better. You hear that a lot in other sports, especially basketball. But baseball is primarily viewed as an individual sport within a team concept.

METS BOX SCORE

But Wright is proving it can actually be done in baseball, too. The Mets are feeding off his talent, passion and determination, building the chemistry that can make them perform beyond normal expectations.

Yesterday’s was the kind of the game the Mets didn’t win in the past. Down 4-0 after the top of the fifth, the Mets could have called it a get-away day and packed their bags for Toronto.

Instead they continued to battle. Wright walked and scored the first of his three runs during a two-run fifth. He walked in the seventh and scored again when pinch-hitter Justin Turner hit a sacrifice fly to right, tying the game 4-4. Then the Mets broke it open with a five-run eighth, when Wright collected his second double of the game.

Wright credits his teammates and hitting coach Dave Hudgens for his hot start.

“I’m at a place now with Hudgens and guys like [Daniel] Murphy and guys I’ve played a few years with now, we know each other’s swings so well, we can go to the cage and they know what to look for in my swing and I know what to look for in their swing. That’s the name of the game. If we see somebody out of whack, we’ll let them know about it. Murphy is good like that with me.”

Murphy wasn’t accepting much credit.

“He’s a freak of nature,” Murphy said. “He has quality at-bat after quality at-bat. I’m jealous.”

Wright’s hitting proved more contagious yesterday than the flu. The Mets spanked Reds starter Mat Latos and a strong Cincinnati bullpen for 12 hits. They also had a selective eye at the plate, drawing six walks, three of which were issued to Wright as the Reds tried to pitch around him.

Wright leads more by example than with words, which is why the Mets should follow his preparation pattern.

“You kind of replicate and duplicate the same thing,” Wright said. “Muscle memory and doing the same thing over and over again helps when you find something you feel good with and you’re consistent with it and you don’t try to continuously make major adjustments.”

The Mets all donned hockey jerseys after yesterday’s game for their trip to Toronto, where they’ll play three against the Blue Jays. It might have more appropriate for Wright to wear a Bulls jersey — something with the No. 23 on it.

george.willis@nypost.com

the Mets, GeorgeDavid Wright, Wright, R.A. Dickey, Mets

Nypost.com

Housing starts up 2.6% in April as permits fall 7%

WASHINGTON -- Construction on new US homes rose 2.6 percent in April to an annual rate of 717,000 units, while building permits fell seven percent to 715,000 -- one month after reaching a near four-year high, the government reported Wednesday.

Economists surveyed by MarketWatch expected housing starts in April to rise to a total 690,000 on a seasonally-adjusted basis. Housing starts in March were revised up sharply to 699,000 from 654,000, while permits were revised up to 769,000 -- the highest level since September 2008 -- from an original reading of 747,000.

In April, permits for single-family homes, which account for three-quarters of the housing market, edged up 1.9 percent to an annual rate of 475,000. Permits for new construction are viewed as a gauge of future demand.

To read more, go to MarketWatch

MarketWatch, building permits

Nypost.com

PSAL boys volleyball semifinals preview

NYPost.com boys volleyball beat writer Marc Raimondi breaks down the PSAL semifinals, set for Tuesday at Hunter College in Manhattan.

SCHEDULE

5 p.m. – No. 1 Academy of American Studies vs. No. 4 Cardozo

6:30 p.m. – No. 2 Bronx Science vs. No. 6 Brooklyn Tech

No. 1 Academy of American Studies Eagles

Head coach: Josh Yang

Record: 13-0

Player to watch: Piotr Kasza

No. 4 Cardozo Judges

Head coach: Danny Scarola

Record: 14-1

Player to watch: Isaac Hwang

Outlook: It’s fitting that Academy of American Studies has to go through Cardozo to win the PSAL city title. Cardozo won the previous three championships before Bryant won last year and the Eagles, who will also be the favorite next year, are hoping for something of a passing of the torch between Queens programs.

Lauren Marsh

Academy of American Studies sophomore Piotr Kasza will lead his team into the PSAL semifinals against Cardozo on Tuesday.

Academy provides a lot of issues for opposing defenses. Michal Kasza is an absolute destroyer on the outside and Conad Zajkowski is smart – and also 6-foot-5 – in the middle. Then there’s smooth setter Piotr Kasza and super-athletic Ricky Myint on the outside. There’s tons of star power and that’s why the Eagles are who they are – the team to beat in these playoffs.

Cardozo, though, cannot be taken lightly. The second best outside hitter in the city after Michal Kasza is probably Tyler Gaugler and Judges sophomore Isaac Hwang is a budding superstar himself. But Cardozo’s strength is its balance with Moses Park, Paul Kim and Jung Min Shin. If setter Youngsoo Shin works the ball around, the Judges are very hard to predict.

No. 2 Bronx Science Wolverines

Head coach: Jeremy BasSie

Record: 13-0

Player to watch: Alex Barbulescu

No. 6 Brooklyn Tech Engineers

Head coach: Noreen Begley

Record: 15-0

Player to watch: Ariel Velasquez Evers

Outlook: Bronx Science has the most talent in the city this side of Academy of American Studies and when it lost to the Eagles this season was without middle Alex Barbulescu. Of course, before the Wolverines can worry about the top seed, it must first contend with a scrappy Brooklyn Tech team that perennially plays Cinderella.

The Engineers are once again the little engine that could, knocking off New Utrecht, the No. 3 seed, in the quarterfinals on Saturday. Dukhyun Ko led the way like he has all season. Ko waited his time behind previous stars as did setter Ariel Velasquez Evers. Adonijah Smith, a middle, is a football player and Joaquin Ogando has very little volleyball experience. Noreen Begley has done a phenomenal job with this group.

Jeremy BasSie did a great job keeping Bronx Science together while Barbulescu nursed that bad ankle, too. Nate Chin has emerged as a significant threat and Preet Singh, who is 6-foot-4, is solid in the middle. Jerry Henriquez, a 6-foot setter, is the key to the offense, though. And blocking is the Wolverines’ greatest strength with all that size. Their height gives everyone fits.

mraimondi@nypost.com

Academy of American Studies, Academy of American Studies, Bronx Science, Bronx Science, PSAL, Piotr Kasza, Michal Kasza, the Eagles, Isaac HwangOutlook, Marc Raimondi, Brooklyn Tech, Ariel Velasquez Evers, Jung Min Shin, American Studies, Alex Barbulescu, Hunter College, Cardozo JudgesHead

Nypost.com

Apple's iTV is coming, FoxConn chief says

CUPERTINO, Calif. -- Apple Inc. is making preparations to produce its highly anticipated TV product called Apple iTV, China Daily reported Friday.

In an interview published by the Chinese newspaper, Terry Gou, the chairman of Apple-supplier Foxconn, said the electronics maker is preparing to contribute to manufacturing efforts for the new Apple TV set.

The "iTV" will reportedly feature an aluminum body, the voice-activated virtual assistant Siri, and FaceTime video calling, according to China Daily.

Development and manufacturing have not yet  begun for the product, Gou said.

Earlier this week, technology blog Cult of Mac reported that the iTV prototype closely resembled the cinema display monitor of a current Apple computer, but much larger.

A new Apple TV product has been rumored to be in development for the last several years. Hype over the machine peaked after Walter Isaacson's biography of late Apple founder Steve Jobs suggested that Jobs had been intensively working on an Apple-branded TV before his death.

Apple Inc., Apple iTV, Terry Gou, China Daily, Apple TV, Apple computer, Apple, CUPERTINO, Calif., iTV

Nypost.com

Belmont Park Charts

May 9th, 2012 Showers And Sloppy Turf Off.

©2012 Equibase. All Rights Reserved

FIRST-1 1/16m; $79,000; alw opt clm; 3up

Off: 12:50. Good. 4 wide turn, driving

Time: 22.54, 45.16, 1:09.95, 1:35.35, 1:42.88.

Trainer: Eddie Kenneally

Winner: CH R, 4, by Thunder Gulch-Golden Gale

Scr: The Cognac Kid.

Horse

Wt.

PP

1/4

1/2

Str.

Fin

Jockey

Odds

Golden Gulch

121

5

4

4

1 hd

1 3/4

Lezcano

2.60

Black N Beauty

121

4

2

2

2 1

2 nk

Domngez

3.10

Self Control

123

2

5

5

3 10

3 22 3/4

Castellan

1.20

Charles Russell

121

3

1

1

4 10

4 20 3/4

Velzqez

11.20

Dreaming Blue

121

1

3

3

5

5

Nakatani

6.20

6-Golden Gulch

7.20

3.60

2.10

4-Black N Beauty

4.10

2.20

2-Self Control

2.10

* Exacta (6-4) $27.00 * Trifecta (6-4-2) $43.60 *

SECOND-1m; $64,000; alw opt clm; 3up

Off: 1:22. Good. pace 2p,brisk urging

Time: 23.61, 46.6, 1:11.21, 1:36.62.

Trainer: Rodrigo Ubillo

Winner: B C, 4, by Saarland-Supah Sassy

Scr: Cap the Moment, Litigate.

Horse

Wt.

PP

1/4

1/2

Str.

Fin

Jockey

Odds

This Hard Land

121

7

1

1

1 2

1 6 3/4

Lezcano

1.70

Good Karma

121

5

6

6

2 1 1/2

2 1 1/2

Luzzi

6.20

Recurring Dream

117

6

4

4

3 1/2

3 1/2

Castro

3.55

Pure Attitude

121

3

3

3

5 6

4 3 1/2

Maragh

6.20

Joe Corrigan

114

1

2

2

4 hd

5 1 1/2

Ortiz

20.00

Tap Attack

121

2

7

7

6 4

6 13

Ortiz, Jr.

37.25

Elsaroarin

121

4

5

5

7

7

Domngez

2.90

9-This Hard Land

5.40

3.00

2.40

7-Good Karma

5.30

3.30

8-Recurring Dream

3.50

* Daily Double (6-9) $19.40 * Exacta (9-7) $27.80 * Quinella (7-9) $16.00 * Superfecta (9-7-8-5) $271.00 * Trifecta (9-7-8) $80.50 *

Winner picked by Vic C

THIRD-5f; $70,000; medn spcl wt; 2YO

Off: 1:54. Good. from 2p, hard ridden

Time: 22.12, 45.42, 58.26.

Trainer: Wesley Ward

Winner: DK B/ F, 2, by Broken Vow-Joyful Chaos

Scr: Guyana Ambassador, Krazy for Kaya, Song of Aspen.

Horse

Wt.

PP

3/16

Str.

Fin

Jockey

Odds

Sweet Shirley Mae

115

1

1

1

1 1

1 1 1/2

Velazqez

0.85

Bern Identity

118

3

2

2

2 4 1/2

2 7

Trujillo

2.70

Do You Smell Smoke

118

4

3

3

3 1

3 1/2

Castro

2.85

Herthum

118

2

4

4

4 10

4 20 1/4

Mnterrey

8.70

Money in Return

111

5

5

5

5

5

Garcia

30.25

2-Sweet Shirley Mae

3.70

2.40

2.10

5-Bern Identity

3.00

2.30

6-Do You Smell Smoke

2.20

* Pick 3 (6-9-2) 3 Correct $59.00 * Daily Double (9-2) $11.60 * Exacta (2-5) $9.70 * Trifecta (2-5-6) $14.40 *

Exacta picked by DaSilva, Vic C., Trifeca picked by Fountaine, Consensus, Winner picked by Debbie L.

FOURTH-1m; $41,000; mdn cl($35,000); 3up

Off: 2:26. Good. off inside, driving

Time: 22.99, 46.77, 1:12.14, 1:38.18.

Trainer: Michael Stidham

Winner: DK B/ G, 4, by Fusaichi Pegasus-Rooneys Princess

Scr: Wicked Irish, Willy Pay.

Horse

Wt.

PP

1/4

1/2

Str.

Fin

Jockey

Odds

Prince Arion

123

1

1

1

1 1

1 3 3/4

Maragh

4.50

Big Herman

123

5

3

2

3 1

2 nk

Napravnk

1.55

Sokitumi Samurai

118

4

7

6

2 1/2

3 3 3/4

Leparoux

3.70

Mr. Beer Goggles

111

6

6

5

5 4

4 1 1/4

Garcia

15.50

Secret Shifters

118

3

4

4

4 1 1/2

5 3 3/4

Domngez

5.70

Horseshoe Lake

118

2

5

7

6 12

6 32 3/4

Nakatani

7.20

Redhotlion

118

7

2

3

7

7

Bravo

11.50

Next >

1

2
Nypost.com

The lease you can do

Pity the poor college senior.

His student loans are high, his job prospects are bad and if he decided to strike out on his own in the big city . . . well, we salute the courage of anyone looking to rent an apartment in NYC.

The rental market is flat-out lousy for a first-timer, and it’s not much easier for someone looking to upgrade.

According to Citi Habitats, the vacancy rate in April was 1.16 percent. Not as bad as it was last summer (0.69 percent), but real estate pros are bracing themselves for a busy June.

“The market’s tightening up and prices are getting higher,” says Gary Malin, president of Citi Habitats. “There’s very little new construction. There are only going to be 2,230 [new] units in Manhattan this year, which is a drop in the bucket. It’s the lowest [number of new units] it’s been in seven years.”

Evan Joseph; Ben Gancsos(inset)

DUMBO’s 134-unit 220 Water St. hit the market in February. The rentals go from $3,175 a month for a studio to $5,975 for a convertible one-bedroom.

And if the low vacancy rate doesn’t raise your eyebrow, prices will. According to Malin, the average Manhattan studio rented for $2,025 per month in April; the average one-bedroom was $2,785; the average two-bedroom was $3,891; and the average three-bedroom was $5,186 per month.

“Last month was an all-time high,” Malin says of prices overall. “We assume that every month [over the summer] we’re going to continue setting an all-time high.”

And for luxury rentals, the market is just as strong. Related is introducing 1214 Fifth Ave. — the tallest rental building on the Upper East Side, where alcove studios start at $2,595, one-bedrooms start at $4,025, two-bedrooms start at $5,195 and three-bedrooms go for $8,995.

And if you thought Brooklyn was a better story, in some cases it’s worse. At the new DUMBO building 220 Water St., which opened in February, studios start at $3,175.

Even in Long Island City, rents are rising.

“On the water, it’s anywhere from $48 to $52 per foot,” says Eric Benaim, president of Modern Spaces. (This means a 1,000-square-foot apartment would cost approximately $4,000 to $4,333 per month.)

Still, LIC and other Queens neighborhoods continue to attract those priced out of Manhattan and Brooklyn.

“A lot of people can’t find anything in Williamsburg or are priced out of Williamsburg,” Benaim says.

We asked the experts for their tips on handling the heated rental market.

1. Carry a lot of paper on your hunt.

“Have immediate access to all of your paperwork to verify employment and references,” says Marc Lewis, chairman of A.C. Lawrence. “You need to have copies of your two to three most-recent pay stubs. If you’re a new hire, obtain a signed employment letter on company stationery stating your job description, hire date, annual salary and any bonus.”

Next >

1

2

Citi Habitats, Gary Malin, rental market, Manhattan, Manhattan, vacancy rate, Manhattan studio

Nypost.com

Parx Racing Charts

May 8th, 2012 Showers And Fast.

©2012 Equibase. All Rights Reserved

FIRST-1m&70y; $22,000; cl($7,500); 3up

Off: 12:28. Good. kept to a steady drive

Time: 24.68, 49.6, 1:14.22, 1:4.87, 1:45.39.

Trainer: Timothy Smylie

Winner: CH H, 6, by Turn of the Tide-Magica Sultana (ARG)

Scr: Ferocious Won.

Horse

Wt.

PP

1/4

1/2

Str.

Fin

Jockey

Odds

Laberinto

117

4

3

3

1 3

1 2 3/4

Suarez

5.40

Luvyoutothemoon

124

2

2

1

2 1 1/2

2 1

Carmche

0.30

Kudu

124

3

4

4

4 2 1/2

3 5

Hmpse,J.

8.70

Waking Up

124

5

1

2

3 1/2

4 1 1/2

Rosario

7.00

Celeritas Plus

124

1

5

5

5 4

5 7

Rivera

11.90

Deputyville

124

6

6

6

6

6

Bermde

32.30

5-Laberinto

12.80

4.00

3.00

3-Luvyoutothemoon

2.20

2.10

4-Kudu

2.40

* Exacta (5-3) $27.80 * Trifecta (5-3-4) $72.20 *

SECOND-1m; $28,000; mdn cl($25,000); 3up

Off: 12:54. Good. drifted wider, clear

Time: 24.98, 49.06, 1:14.08, 1:27.25, 1:4.57.

Trainer: Nicholas Zito

Winner: B C, 3, by Sun King-Littletalkintootie

Horse

Wt.

PP

1/4

1/2

Str.

Fin

Jockey

Odds

Royal Affair

117

4

7

5

1 hd

1 4

Carmche

2.30

Sudden Calm

124

5

6

4

2 2

2 3 1/4

Pennngtn

4.10

Neon Tan

124

3

5

3

3 3

3 5 1/4

Frey

1.00

Mr. Nice

108

1

4

7

5 12

4 1 1/2

Suarez

9.50

Maker of the Crown

119

7

3

1

4 2

5 11

Rispoli

20.90

A J Princemambo

115

6

2

6

6 hd

6 6

Mntnez

16.80

Decorated Admiral

115

2

1

2

7

7

Rivera

59.80

4-Royal Affair

6.60

3.60

2.40

5-Sudden Calm

4.80

2.80

3-Neon Tan

2.10

* Daily Double (5-4) $54.20 * Exacta (4-5) $25.00 * Trifecta (4-5-3) $41.80 *Trifecta picked by Debbie L., Winner picked by Vic C.

THIRD-5 1/2f; $22,000; cl($7,500); 3up

Off: 1:21. Good. closed, going away

Time: 22.08, 45.71, 58.27, 1:04.49.

Trainer: Richard Vega

Winner: DK B/ C, 4, by Petionville-Mighty Might

Horse

Wt.

PP

1/4

Str.

Fin

Jockey

Odds

Mightyville

122

6

9

6

2 1/2

1 5 1/2

Black

3.90

Captain Daddy

120

8

3

2

3 1

2 3/4

Hmpse,J.

3.40

Marquet Dancer

120

7

5

5

5 1

3 2

Penngtn

16.50

Forest Hills Dr

120

9

2

3

6 3 1/2

4 no

McMne

15.70

Speeding Spike

120

4

4

4

4 1/2

5 1 3/4

Rocco, Jr.

1.60

Jessie's Boy

120

10

1

1

1 hd

6 1 1/2

Bisono

5.50

Papa Floyd

120

1

10

10

7 1/2

7 5

Rivera

101.40

Awesome Kisses

117

3

8

7

8 3

8 2 1/2

Esquilin

16.70

Pleasant Crown

120

5

6

8

9 3 1/2

9 6 1/2

Castillo

89.90

Good Attitude

114

2

7

9

10

10

Bermde

16.50

6-Mightyville

9.80

4.60

3.20

8-Captain Daddy

5.20

4.20

7-Marquet Dancer

6.80

* $1 Pick 3 (5-4-6) 3 Correct $160.10 * Exacta (6-8) $47.00 * Trifecta (6-8-7) $416.80 *Exacta picked by Affrunti, Vic C., Consensus, Winner picked by Debbie L.

FOURTH-6f; $45,000; mdn spcl wt; 3up

Off: 1:48. Good. lugged in, under wraps

Time: 22.28, 44.96, 57.05, 1:09.89.

Trainer: John Servis

Winner: B C, 4, by Candy Ride (ARG)-Harve de Grace

Horse

Wt.

PP

1/4

1/2

Str.

Fin

Jockey

Odds

Spin Zone

124

6

2

1

1 5

1 9 1/4

Rosado

0.30

Jimmy Windows

116

4

1

2

2 3

2 1 1/4

Hmse,J.

14.30

Weave It to Me

124

3

5

3

3 4

3 8

Alvard,Jr.

6.60

Nevada Kid

117

1

4

4

4 3

4 7

Carmche

3.80

Tardis

116

2

3

5

5 25

5 25

Mntnez

30.30

Serious Attitude

124

5

6

6

6

6

Castillo

49.40

Next >

1

2

3
Nypost.com

Hawks, Bulls stay alive

Al Horford scored 19 points in his first start since January, and the Hawks held on for an 87-86 victory over the Celtics in a thrilling Game 5 of the Eastern Conference playoffs last night in Atlanta.

The Celtics lead the series 3-2 heading back to Boston for Game 6 tomorrow night. If the Hawks can steal one on the road, the deciding game would be Saturday in Atlanta.

Boston had a chance to clinch the series when Rajon Rondo stole Josh Smith’s inbounds pass with 10 seconds remaining and raced down the court, looking for the winner. But he got hemmed in along the sideline and Smith knocked away a desperation pass, the ball rolling away as time ran out.

A relieved Smith collapsed on the scorer’s table.

Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett led the Celtics with 16 points apiece. Rondo had 13 points and 12 assists, and the last of his five assists gave Boston a chance to end the series early and get some much-needed rest.

The Hawks kept their season going, getting a huge contribution from a player who wasn’t there for much of it. Horford went down in January with a torn pectoral muscle, missing the rest of the regular season and the first three games of the playoffs. But he made a surprise return in Game 4, one of the few bright spots in an embarrassing 101-79 loss that gave the Celtics command of the series.

Hordford grabbed 11 rebounds, dished out three assists, had three steals and blocked three shots.

Bulls 77, 76ers 69

In Chicago, Luol Deng scored 24 points, Carlos Boozer added 19 points and 13 rebounds, and the Bulls beat the 76ers to avoid a first-round playoff exit.

The top-seeded Bulls finally won without injured point guard Derrick Rose, building a nine-point halftime lead and staying in control down the stretch to pull within 3-2. Game 6 is tomorrow in Philadelphia.

Bulls center Joakim Noah, who sprained his left ankle in Game 3, sat out his second straight game.

Nuggets 102, Lakers 99

In Los Angeles, Andre Miller scored 24 points, including two free throws with 12.8 seconds left, and sixth-seeded Denver avoided playoff elimination by surviving Kobe Bryant’s late scoring barrage in a 43-point performance in Game 5.

Game 6 is tomorrow night in Denver.

Pacers 105, Magic 87

In Indianapolis, Danny Granger scored 25 points to help the Pacers defeat the Magic and clinch their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series 4-1.

It was Indiana’s first series win since 2005 and its first clincher on its home court since the first round of the 2000 playoffs. The Pacers will play Miami or the Knicks in the second round.

Celtics, Rajon Rondo, Al Horford, Eastern Conference, Kevin Garnett, back to Boston, the Hawks, Josh Smith, Carlos Boozer, Danny Granger, Eastern Conference playoff, Derrick Rose online

Nypost.com

PSAL boys volleyball playoff roundup: Cham, Midwood win three-set thriller over Lafayette

Midwood survived and advanced.

David Cham had 21 assists to lead the 10th-seeded Hornets to a wild, 25-22, 23-25, 31-29 win over No. 23 Lafayette in the PSAL boys volleyball first round Monday in Brooklyn.

Ulugbev Ganiev had nine kills and Leo Zhang had eight kills and 11 digs for Midwood (9-0). Kadeem George and Haris Popinara each added 11 digs. The Hornets meet either No. 7 McKee/Staten Island Tech or No. 26 Math, Science and Engineering in the second round Thursday.

Peizhan Li had 19 kills and 12 digs, Matthew Busacca had 10 kills and Nileaj Hills had 14 assists to lead Lafayette (8-5), which dedicated its season to former coach Steve DeGennaro, who died over the winter due to complications from pneumonia.

No. 11 FDR 2, No. 22 Seward Park 0: Di Lin had 18 assists and Calvin Zheng had eight kills to lead FDR (11-2) to a 25-19, 26-24 win in the first round. The Cougars meet No. 6 Brooklyn Tech/No. 27 A.P. Randolph winner in the second round Thursday. Seward finishes 10-3.

No. 13 Richmond Hill 2, No. 20 Grover Cleveland 0: Joey Andre had 17 kills and Jaquan DeJesus had 22 assists to lead Richmond Hill (11-0) to a 25-22, 25-20 win in the first round. The Lions meet the No. 4 Cardozo/No. 29 Hillcrest winner in the second round Thursday. Cleveland finishes 10-3.

No. 15 Long Island City 2, No. 18 Boys & Girls 0: Samuel Perez had 14 kills and Mizram Franco had 12 kills and 13 digs to lead LIC to a 25-20, 25-22 win in the first round. The Bulldogs meet the No. 2 Bronx Science/No. 31 Norman Thomas winner Thursday in the second round. Boys High falls to 9-4.

No. 17 Francis Lewis 2, No. 16 Thomas Jefferson 0: Chan Ho Jun had 21 assists, Dennis Lee tallied 10 kills and Glenn Chun had 13 digs to lead Lewis (11-2) to a 25-13, 25-19 win in the first round. The Patriots meet the No. 1 Academy of American Studies/No. 32 Environmental Studies winner Thursday in the second round. Jefferson finishes 9-2.

mraimondi@nypost.com

The Hornets, Matthew Busacca, Kadeem George, Hornets, Grover Cleveland, Haris Popinara, Francis Lewis, assists, FDR

Nypost.com

Pitching Form

(Game time)

2012

'11 vs OPP

CAREER

LAST 3 STARTS

LINE

W-L

ERA

*REC

W-L

ERA

vs OPP

W-L

IP

ERA

*AHW

Mets

Niese (L)

(7:05pm)

2-1

4.08

3-2

2-3

5.53

4-4

0-1

16.0

5.63

11.8

Phillies

Halladay (R)

8 1/2-10

3-2

3.40

3-3

3-0

0.41

9-2

0-2

19.1

6.05

13.5

Marlins

Zambrano (R)

(8:05pm)

0-2

2.53

1-4

2-0

3.66

16-8

0-2

20.0

1.80

9.9

Astros

Rodriguez (L)

Even-6

3-2

1.64

3-3

0-1

4.38

3-3

3-0

20.0

1.35

9.9

Braves

Hanson (R)

6-7

3-2

3.74

4-2

—

—

0-2

2-0

16.2

3.78

13.5

Cubs

Smardzija (R)

(8:05pm)

3-1

3.41

4-1

0-0

0.00

0-0

1-1

18.0

3.00

12.0

Reds

Arroyo (R)

(8:10pm)

1-1

3.03

3-2

2-1

4.12

11-8

1-1

19.0

3.32

11.8

Brewers

Gallardo (R)

6 1/2-7 1/2

1-3

5.79

2-4

1-0

4.76

3-3

0-2

15.0

7.20

16.2

Cardinals

Lynn (R)

Even-6

5-0

1.60

5-0

0-0

0.00

0-0

3-0

21.2

1.66

7.1

D'Backs

Saunders (L)

(9:40pm)

2-1

1.24

2-3

1-0

0.00

1-0

1-1

22.1

1.61

8.5

Rockies

Pomeranz (L)

(10:05pm)

0-1

4.05

2-2

—

—

0-0

0-0

15.2

2.30

12.1

Padres

Volquez (R)

5 1/2-6 1/2

0-2

2.92

2-4

0-1

3.60

1-2

0-1

20.0

1.80

7.7

Giants

Zito (L)

(10:10pm)

1-0

1.76

3-2

0-0

6.43

6-8

0-0

14.2

2.45

14.1

Dodgers

Lilly (L)

6 1/2-7 1/2

3-0

1.38

3-1

0-2

6.75

3-4

2-0

19.0

1.89

9.0

White Sox

Humber (R)

Even-6

1-1

4.62

1-3

0-1

7.42

0-1

1-1

20.0

5.40

9.5

Indians

McAllster (R)

(1:05pm)

---

----

---

0-0

3.37

17.0

---

----

----

----

White Sox

Stults (L)

(7:05pm)

---

----

---

—

—

13.2

---

----

----

----

Indians

Tomlin (R)

6 1/2-7 1/2

1-2

5.27

2-2

—

—

0-1

1-1

18.2

3.86

10.6

Rangers

Harrison (L)

6 1/2-7 1/2

3-2

5.40

3-2

1-0

2.08

3-0

1-2

16.0

9.56

17.4

Orioles

Matusz (L)

(7:05pm)

1-3

4.67

2-3

—

—

2-1

1-1

17.1

2.60

13.0

Red Sox

Doubront (L)

5 1/2-6 1/2

1-1

5.19

3-2

—

—

0-0

1-1

16.0

5.06

12.9

Royals

Sanchez (L)

(8:10pm)

1-1

5.24

2-3

—

—

1-0

0-1

14.2

3.68

12.9

Angels

Weaver (R)

8-9

4-0

1.61

4-2

1-0

3.86

6-2

2-0

24.0

1.13

6.4

Twins

Liriano (L)

(8:10pm)

0-4

9.97

1-4

0-1

12.60

1-3

0-3

12.2

9.95

19.9

Tigers

Fister (R)

6-7

0-0

0.00

1-0

—

—

0-0

0-0

3.2

0.00

9.8

Mariners

Beavan (R)

(10:10pm)

1-3

4.45

2-3

—

—

0-0

0-2

17.0

5.82

12.7

* REC: Won-lost record of pitcher's team in games he has started.

* AHW: Average total of hits and walks yielded per nine innings.
Nypost.com

Pitching Form

(Game time)

2012

'11 vs OPP

CAREER

LAST 3 STARTS

LINE

W-L

ERA

*REC

W-L

ERA

vs OPP

W-L

IP

ERA

*AHW

Yankees

Hughes (R)

6-7

1-4

7.48

1-4

---

---

2-1

1-2

13.2

6.59

11.9

Royals

Hochevar (R)

(2:10pm)

2-2

7.36

2-3

---

---

0-1

1-1

15.1

7.04

15.3

D'Backs

Cahill (R)

Even-6

2-2

3.13

3-2

---

---

0-0

1-2

18.1

4.42

11.8

Mets

Dickey (R)

(1:10pm)

3-1

4.45

3-2

---

---

0-1

1-1

17.1

6.23

9.9

Reds

Latos (R)

6-7

1-2

5.97

2-3

1-0

2.77

2-0

1-1

19.0

6.16

13.3

Pirates

Morton (R)

(1:35pm)

1-2

4.22

1-3

3-0

0.93

4-4

1-2

16.1

3.86

13.2

Cardinals

Wainwrght (R)

7-8

1-3

6.75

1-4

---

---

9-1

1-1

18.0

4.50

10.5

Astros

Happ (L)

(2:05pm)

2-1

4.60

3-2

0-4

7.29

1-6

1-1

17.1

5.19

15.6

Dodgers

Harang (R)

(2:20pm)

1-2

5.72

2-3

1-0

3.00

11-8

1-1

17.2

5.60

13.2

Cubs

Wood (L)

Pick

---

----

---

1-1

7.59

3.0

---

----

----

----

Dodgers

Harang (R)

(2:20pm)

1-2

5.72

2-3

1-0

3.00

11-8

1-1

17.2

5.60

13.2

Cubs

Garza (R)

6 1/2-7 1/2

2-1

2.67

3-2

---

---

0-0

1-1

19.0

3.79

9.0

Braves

Beachy (R)

5 1/2-6 1/2

2-1

1.38

3-2

0-1

11.57

0-1

1-0

20.2

1.74

7.8

Rockies

Nicasio (R)

(3:10pm)

2-0

4.40

4-1

0-1

5.79

0-1

2-0

19.0

3.32

13.3

Marlins

Nolasco (R)

5 1/2-6 1/2

3-0

2.76

4-1

---

---

3-3

2-0

19.2

2.29

11.4

Padres

Wieland (R)

(4:05pm)

0-4

4.91

0-4

---

---

0-0

0-3

17.0

3.18

11.1

Brewers

Marcum (R)

(4:05pm)

1-1

3.19

1-4

1-1

4.85

1-1

0-0

18.0

3.00

14.5

Giants

Cain (R)

6-7

1-2

2.35

2-3

0-2

6.00

2-5

0-2

23.1

1.93

6.6

Phillies

Hamels (L)

(8:05pm)

3-1

2.78

4-1

1-1

2.57

10-4

2-0

20.0

2.25

9.0

Nationals

Zmmermann (R)

Even-6

1-2

1.89

3-2

0-1

1.29

0-2

1-1

19.1

2.33

7.9

White Sox

Axelrod (R)

(1:05pm)

0-0

2.70

0-0

0-0

3.00

0-0

---

----

----

----

Tigers

Porcello (R)

7-8

2-2

5.64

3-2

1-0

4.05

3-4

1-2

15.2

9.19

15.5

Rangers

Darvish (R)

7-8

4-0

2.18

5-0

---

---

0-0

3-0

21.2

0.83

9.1

Indians

Jimenez (R)

(1:05pm)

2-2

5.02

2-3

0-0

9.00

0-0

1-2

16.2

5.40

18.4

Orioles

Hunter (R)

(1:35pm)

2-1

4.26

4-1

0-0

3.86

2-1

1-1

18.2

5.30

13.0

Red Sox

Buchholz (R)

6 1/2-7 1/2

3-1

8.69

3-2

0-1

5.40

5-3

2-1

18.0

8.00

18.0

Athletics

Milone (L)

(1:40pm)

3-2

3.69

3-2

---

---

0-0

2-1

17.2

4.58

10.2

Rays

Moore (L)

9-11

1-1

4.20

2-3

---

---

0-0

1-0

17.0

3.18

13.8

Blue Jays

Hutchison (R)

(3:35pm)

1-0

6.61

2-1

---

---

0-0

1-0

16.1

6.61

14.9

Angels

Williams (R)

6 1/2-7 1/2

2-1

3.55

2-2

0-0

0.00

0-0

2-0

22.2

1.99

7.9

Twins

Blackburn (R)

(4:10pm)

0-3

6.64

0-4

1-0

2.00

3-1

0-2

14.1

6.28

15.7

Mariners

Noesi (R)

6-7

1-3

7.83

2-3

0-0

0.00

0-0

0-2

12.0

9.75

15.0

* REC: Won-lost record of pitcher's team in games he has started.

* AHW: Average total of hits and walks yielded per nine innings.
Nypost.com

Stuff’s a start but not enough

Joel Sherman
Blog: Hardball

David Robertson has the stuff. But to be the closer for the Yankees, in New York, in place of Mariano Rivera, the more important element is going to be this — does he have the Right Stuff?

More than even his cutter — arguably the most devastating single pitch in major league history — Rivera had a cocktail of traits that made him ideally suited to be not just a closer, but the closer for a franchise with the most pressure, expectations and history.

On a scale of 1-to-10, Rivera maxes out when it comes to being unflappable, self-confident, humble, dignified, a great teammate and determined. Each trait brought vital pieces to a mosaic of greatness.

Getty Images

David Robertson

By being unflappable, Rivera never came undone no matter the meaning of a game. His unflinching self-confidence allowed him to compartmentalize failure as no more than a blip, which translated to his teammates. Thus, no blown save was ever seen as a wildfire that would spread to more failure.

His humility and dignity kept him grounded and made even foes respect him rather than gain any extra incentive by wanting to beat the preening caricature of a closer. By being a great teammate, Rivera never stirred any negative mojo in the workplace. Instead, his steadiness, leadership, humanity and willingness to offer help and counsel to any corner of the roster encased Rivera in a cocoon of positivity within his clubhouse. Some teammates are liked. Some are respected. Rivera is uniquely revered by the very teammates who put their uniforms on one pants leg at a time beside him.

“We live in an age when athletes are packaged,” general manager Brian Cashman said. “Mariano is exactly as he is packaged. He is a wonderful human being as well as an amazing athlete. I think that is why we all had that reaction when we saw him in pain and wincing [after suffering a torn ACL on the warning track Thursday at Kauffman Stadium]. We are used to seeing Mo either determined or joyful. So that was unsettling.”

His steely determination was on display again yesterday when he vowed to return and not leave a great career as an injured player. Still, he is about to exit for months or possibly to next year and — look, he is 42 — if the surgery/rehab does not go well, maybe forever. Thus, the biggest shoes in baseball are going to need to be filled for quite a while, at the least.

So it is instructional to remember Rivera had a starting point, too, before everyone knew he had the Right Stuff. It is easy to forget now the uncertainty that existed when the Yankees passed the closer baton to Rivera. There was no Enter Sandman. No halo of invincibility. Like Robertson now, he had been a brilliant set-up man during the Yankees’ 1996 championship season.

Nevertheless, John Wetteland earned four saves and the World Series MVP before leaving for Texas in free agency and, as Cashman said, “We believed Mariano could do it, but you still have to prove it.”

The Yankees were eliminated in the Division Series in ’97 because, in part, Rivera allowed a homer to Cleveland’s Sandy Alomar Jr. in Game 4 and, rather than clinching, the Yankees went on to lose in five. It could have been a baseball coffin moment. Instead, Rivera recovered in a way no one ever had or probably ever will.

He converted his next 23 postseason saves, serving as the backbone to a dynasty. He then blew Game 7 of the 2001 World Series and followed that by pitching to a 0.58 ERA in his next (final?) 44 postseason games.

How do you follow that — even if it is just as a substitute for a few months?

To lower the pressure, manager Joe Girardi would not commit to one man between Robertson and Rafael Soriano. But Robertson will probably get a chance to earn the distinction. He has a dominant fastball, which, at this point, is probably even more devastating than Rivera’s cutter. His 12.17 strikeouts per nine innings are tied with Rob Dibble (minimum 200 appearances) for the best in major league history. He is well liked in the clubhouse, an earnest, hard-working, homegrown righty. But it is all guesswork how anyone will handle the responsibilities of replacing Rivera.

Rivera followed a World Series MVP, which comes with an extreme degree of difficulty. But not in the same universe as stepping in for Rivera.

Thus, Robertson or whoever comes along to try this, is going to need more than a blessed arm. Stuff will get you the job. But only the Right Stuff will allow you to keep it.

joel.sherman@nypost.com

Mariano Rivera, Rivera, the Yankees, the Yankees, Robertson online, Robertson

Nypost.com