The Yanks put the breaks on a five game losing streak with Saturday’s win. Hiroki Kuroda (7-8, 4.03 ERA) will try and get a winning streak going against Jeremy Hellickson (1-1, 2.o3 ERA). Kuroda took a loss his last time out against the Indians, allowing three runs, five hits and four walks in 4 2/3 innings. He hasn’t pitched in a week since his last start was rained out. The team is hoping the extra rest will prevent an epic late season meltdown like last year.
Kuroda has hit a rough patch lately. He is 1-2 with a 4.81 ERA in his last four starts, having allowed 13 runs in 24 1/3 innings. He is 0-1 in two starts against the Rays this year, going 5 2/3 innings and giving up three runs in a no decision on April 18 and taking a loss on July 1 despite throwing eight innings of two-run ball.
Hellickson held the Rangers scoreless for six innings but walked away with a no decision. In three starts at the Trop, he is 0-1 with a 3.29 ERA. He is 4-1 with a 2.95 ERA in eight career appearances against the Yankees. “It’s nice to be able to go out there and do it two times in a row,” Hellickson said. “Those first three starts I felt good, just the results weren’t there. So it’s nice to get the results and feel good after a start.”
Carlos Beltran said that he was given no better than a 50-50 chance of playing the outfield again this season. Despite the odds, he played right field on Saturday, his first appearance in the field since May 11. “I’m happy, of course,” Beltran said. “We have been looking forward to this, trying to put my arm in condition to be back in the outfield. It really took a while. Right now, I just feel like it’s time.”
Notes on the game
Brian McCann should be activated from the concussion DL for the game.
First pitch at 1:40 pm on Yes.
