Update: Boone Logan has been optioned to make room for Chad Gaudin, who’s officially been re-signed. Shane Lindsay, who was claimed off waivers less than two weeks ago, was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.
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After winning the suspended game just a few minutes ago, the Yankees will try for a second victory on the day. They’ll start this one fresh, with Andy Pettitte going against Francisco Liriano.
We saw this matchup before, just a week and a half ago at the Stadium. The Yanks got to Liriano for nine hits, though only three of them came around to score. They worked the count and got him to 101 pitches through six innings, and then they tagged the Twins bullpen for another four runs and an easy win. Pettitte, in his first start after leaving a game against Baltimore with elbow inflammation, went six and a third with just two hits allowed. His control was a bit off, as he threw just 53 of his 95 pitches for strikes and walked three. He still came out easily ahead.
Liriano then moved onto Boston, where he pitched even worse. In 4.2 innings he allowed five runs on five hits, including two home runs, and three walks. In his last start at Target Field he allowed five runs on 10 hits to the Orioles. Before that, though, he’d allowed no runs at his home park. Liriano is best when he’s keeping the ball on the ground. In his first five starts opponents hit 52 groundballs to 38 fly balls. He allowed six runs in those 36 innings. Things have changed in his last three starts, as opponents have hit 25 groundballs to 34 fly balls. He has allowed 13 runs in 16.2 innings in those starts.
The Yanks would do well to score early and often for Pettitte here. The bullpen is pretty short after Robertson, Joba, and Mo pitched earlier.
Lineup:
1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Nick Swisher, RF
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Robinson Cano, 2B
6. Marcus Thames, DH
7. Francisco Cervelli, C
8. Kevin Russo, LF
9. Brett Gardner, CF
And on the mound, number forty-six, Andy Pettitte.
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