You sometimes hear about a false start, but what about a false finish?
The Yankees and Mariners got just that yesterday, the result of plate umpire Larry Vanover calling out Adrian Beltre in the ninth inning, even though the count was only 1-2.
The celebrating, complete with “New York, New York,” blaring through the speakers began for the Yankees, until Vanover realized his error.
Yankees reliever Jose Veras was well aware that Beltre had been called out with only two strikes, but wasn’t about to complain.
“I saw my teammates come to shake my hand, so I said, ‘I’ll take that.’ ” Veras said.
Beltre was called back to the batter’s box and eventually grounded out, officially ending the game.
“We’ve all been there, and it’s a long day and it happens,” manager Joe Girardi said, referring to the confusion with the count. “I looked at [hitting coach] Kevin Long, and I thought, ‘Like did I miss a pitch?’ “
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Mike Mussina got his sixth victory in his last seven starts, but that might not have been the case if not for a fourth inning in which he needed only five pitches to retire the side. This after Mussina was battered for four runs in the third on home runs by Jose Vidro and Beltre.
Jose Lopez doubled against Mussina leading off the fifth, but the right-hander then retired the final three hitters he faced.
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Wilson Betemit (right hamstring) went 0-for-2 in a rehab start at first base for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday and could be activated from the disabled list as soon as Monday. Betemit was expected to start at second base yesterday for SWB.
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Jorge Posada remains on track for a departure tomorrow to Tampa, where he will begin getting back into baseball shape.
Girardi said the plan is to get Posada behind the plate for some extended spring training games, but now allowing him to throw as he rests his sore right shoulder.
Girardi said there’s a possibility Posada’s entire rehab would consist of extended spring training games instead of playing for the Yankees’ minor league affiliates.
mpuma@nypost.com
