David Phelps (4-3, 3.90 ERA) is on the mound tonight in game 2 against the Angels and Tommy Hanson (3-2, 4.12 ERA). Ever since he failed to get out of the first inning against the Mets on May 29, Phelps has gone on an impressive run. The right hander has pitched six innings in each of his last two starts, allowing a combined one run on four hits in a win against Cleveland and a no decision against Seattle, striking out 13 and walking seven. Phelps wasn’t happy with his command in his last outing against the Mariners, but the results were fine as he held them to just one run on three hits.
Hanson gave up only two runs to the Red Sox on Saturday and got the win, but it was a struggle. He walked four, gave seven hits, put at least two runners on in four frames and had 114 pitches to get 15 outs. Hanson was a little upset after that game saying, “I don’t feel like there’s any momentum. I feel like I want to get to where I’m pitching every five days or six days. It’s kind of been like a start and stop, start and stop again. I think once I do that, I’ll get better. My last start, same as this one, wasn’t great, wasn’t bad.”
It’s no secret the Yankees’ offense has been struggling. After last night’s 5-2 loss in the series opener against the Angels, the Bombers have scored just 16 runs in their last 72 innings. However, they will have a chance to wake up on Saturday because Hanson has yet to find his rhythm. He spent four weeks on the restricted list due to a death in his family, and his turn in the rotation has been inconsistent. Hopefully the Yanks can get some runs. “I think we’re going to start hitting, I really do. All clubs go through it,” Joe Girardi said. “It’s no fun when you’re going through it. A lot of times, people think it’s the end of the world, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a team not come out of it.”
Notes on the game.
Phelps has never started against Los Angeles. In two relief appearances he has allowed one run on three hits.
Recalled outfielder Thomas Neal took Youkilis’ place on the 25-man roster. He made his season debut yesterday and went 1-2 at the plate with a single to right field and a walk.
After dropping 11 out of 15 games, the Angels have scored 14 runs in back to back wins over the Orioles and Yankees, racking up 25 hits in the two games.
Game kicks off at 7:15 PM (EST) on Fox
