After letting game one slip away, Vidal Nuno (1-2, 5.48 ERA) is on the hill for game two against Jesse Chavez (4-3, 2.78 ERA). Nuno’s last start against the Twins was not pretty, he surrendered three home runs but stayed in the game until the seventh. He struck out six and threw 101 pitches for the second straight game. He’s gone at least six innings in four of his last five starts.
Chavez held Detroit to three runs in six innings on Thursday but was tagged with the loss. He’s thrown seven quality starts in 11 tries and continues to hold his own during his first season as a starter. “The big thing for me is don’t prolong the at-bat,” said Chavez. “Get three pitches or less, or pick the time to choose to nibble. Other than that, just three pitches or less to each hitter, and try to outlast the other starter. That’s my goal.”
With just eight extra base hits in the last five games, the Yankees are finally realizing being creative on the basepath and stringing multiple hits together is the only other way to produce runs. “You can’t sit around and wait for guys to come back,” said Derek Jeter. “You’ve got to find ways to win without them. Home runs are nice because you score runs quickly, but if you don’t have guys doing it, you’ve got to find other ways to score.” Joe Girardi said, “What you don’t want to do is run into outs just because you do some crazy things. I think you have to pick your opportunities to run, and we try to take advantage.”
Scott Sizemore was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to play the infield his second stint with the Yanks on Tuesday. He went 1-3 and made a great play in the field. “I’m glad to get in there, and hopefully I can help the team out,” Sizemore said. “Obviously you could hope for more playing time, but I think if you do what you’re supposed to do and maybe open some eyes and make them have to keep you there, that’s the ultimate goal as a guy in my situation.”
Notes on the game
Oakland is 8-3 with Chavez on the mound.
Oakland has homered in 11 straight games.
Michael Pineda was put the 60 day DL after he was shut down with inflammation in his back. It is retroactive to May 6th.
First pitch at 7:05 PM on Yes and ESPN
