The Yankees and Andy Pettitte (5-6, 4.22 ERA) hope July is more kind to them than June was. They head to Minnesota for a four game set against the Twins and Scott Diamond (5-7, 5.40 ERA). Since picking up career win number 250 on June 8th, Pettitte has lost his last three outings posting a 5.49 ERA over that stretch.
Diamond looked good through four innings Wednesday against Miami, giving up just two hits before falling apart in the fifth. He gave up three runs on five hits, including a home run, as he left yet another game early.
The Yankees went 11-16 in June and have looked utterly terrible, but Joe Girardi is still optimistic. “I think their personalities have been really consistent throughout the winning end and the losing, so I don’t think it’s wearing them down.”
Pettitte is 2-6 over his last 10 games and he’s pitched at least six innings in four straight. His strikeout and walk totals are almost identical to the numbers he had last year, 2.87 ERA over 75 1/3 innings. But opponents have been hitting a little better off Pettitte this year, batting .272, as opposed to the .232 average he held hitters to in 2012. “It’s the same old story right now for me after every time I pitch, just frustrating,” Pettitte said.
Notes on the game.
The Yankees haven’t dropped a season series against the Twins in 11 years.
Pettitte is undefeated in his last 7 starts against the Twins.
Derek Jeter has progressed after working through simulated at bats in Tampa, and could begin his Minor League rehab assignment soon. He’ll likely need 20 days in the Minors before his return.
After that embarrassing series against Baltimore, the Yankees are now closer to last place than first. They are seven games out of first and a game and a half out of last.
Game kicks off at 8:10 PM (EST) on Yes.
