Ivan Nova (4-4, 3.41 ERA) tries to get the Yankees first win at Petco Park tonight against Tyson Ross (2-4, 2.90 ERA). Nova is trying to carry over a terrific month of July in which he posted a 2.03 ERA over four starts, holding opponents to a .188 batting average. He has lost his last two starts, but the Yankees were shut out both times. In his previous outing against the Rays, Nova allowed just one run on six hits in seven innings of work. “It feels really bad. We haven’t scored enough runs in my last two starts,” Nova said after the game. “Sometimes when you pitch good, it’s hard to be charged with a loss. It doesn’t feel great.”
Ross was dominant in his last start, allowing three hits over eight scoreless innings against the D-backs. He walked one and struck out seven and showed a hard slider that gave D-backs hitters fits the entire game.
New York got a boost to its lineup on Friday with Curtis Granderson returning from the 15-day DL. “I’m excited to be back. A little layoff, but I’m happy to be joining the team here, ready to make this final push the last two months of the season,” said Granderson. Joe Girardi put Granderson fifth in the order, playing left field. “We’ve seen what he’s done since he’s been here,” Girardi said. “This is a power threat who can steal bases and can do a lot of different things. We’re excited to have him back; we’ve just got to keep him here.” He finished the game going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
First Pitch is at 8:40 PM (EST) on Yes.
