Hiroki Kuroda (11-8, 2.41 ERA) takes the mound against Chris Archer (6-5, 2.95 ERA) as the Yanks kick off a three game stay in Saint Pete. Kuroda is looking to bounce back after allowing a career high 11 hits to the Red Sox his last time out at Fenway. The loss was just Kuroda’s second in eight starts dating back to July 7.
Archer allowed one run on four hits in seven innings against the Blue Jays on Sunday, but he came away with a no decision in the Rays’ 2-1 win. He last faced the Yankees on July 27 at Yankee Stadium, throwing a complete game allowing just two hits.
The Yankees have won five straight and appear to be charged following excitement in Boston on Sunday, when Alex Rodriguez was drilled by Ryan Dempster. Dempster was given a five-game suspension for his actions. “That’s behind us now, and I’ve shut everything down,” Rodriguez said before Wednesday’s 4-2 win over the Blue Jays. “I think the best thing to do, for all of us, is to focus on the game. We’re in the middle of a pennant race, so I want to put the focus back on baseball.”
Kevin Youkilis is still hoping to return to baseball this season. The veteran has been making progress since undergoing back surgery in June, and isn’t ready to give up on the season just yet. “I’ve just got to keep hitting things, progressing, and every progression brings more excitement,” Youkilis said. “Hopefully, in due time, I’ll be able to do some baseball activities. I’m hoping, for sure. If I had a magic ball that said I could be here on a certain day, I’d say it would be September 1st. For now, I really got to watch what I’m doing. I’m not really bright with a lot of the, I ramp up things too quick sometimes. I need someone to pull the reins back.”
Notes on the game.
Since blowing three straight saves in early August, Mariano Rivera hasn’t allowed a run in four straight appearances.
Tampa Bay and Baltimore are each on pace to break the record for fewest errors in a season with 44 errors through 124 games and 37 errors through 125 games respectivley.
First pitch at 7:10 PM on MY9
