Yanks' Rivera rips umpire Joe West

The next time Joe West is behind the plate with Mariano Rivera on the mound should be interesting.

The Yankees closer ripped the umpire after West criticized the Yankees and Red Sox over the pace of their games. West was the crew chief for this week's series between the teams.

"It's incredible," Rivera told The Post. "If he has places to go, let him do something else. What does he want us to do, swing at balls?"

West made his comments to NorthJersey.com after Angel Hernandez refused several requests for time out by Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada working the plate Tuesday. Before Wednesday's game, West told the newspaper the teams were "pathetic and embarrassing" and a "disgrace to baseball."

Those comments did not go over well with Rivera.

"He has a job to do. He should do his job," Rivera said. "We don't want to play four-hour games but that's what it takes. We respect and love the fans and do what we have to do and that's play our game."

West doesn't see it that way.

"They're the two clubs that don't try to pick up the pace," West said.

"They're two of the best teams in baseball. Why are they playing the slowest? ... It's pathetic and embarrassing. They take too long to play."

West was behind the plate for the season-opening game on Sunday night, which the Red Sox won 9-7 in 3 hours, 46 minutes. Tuesday night's 3 hour, 48 minute marathon that prompted West's remarks.

"All of baseball looks to these two clubs to pick up the pace," West said. "(Home plate umpire) Angel (Hernandez) did everything he could. The players aren't working with us."

Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman declined to comment.