The Athletics come to town for a three game set and send Eric Surkamp (0-1, 4.00 ERA) in game one to face Michael Pineda (1-1, 6.55 ERA). Pineda’s second outing of the year was better than his first, but his bats didn’t help him out like they did in his debut. He allowed three runs on five hits through six innings against the Jays, but took the loss. Opponents are batting .275 career against him with RISP and .221 when the bases are empty. This will be his first time facing Oakland in a Yankee uniform. In three starts against them in 2011, he allowed just four runs and struckout 19 over 18 innings, good for a 2.00 ERA.
Surkamp has yet to get through five innings this season. His most recent outing against the Angels, he allowed two runs on five hits and four walks through 4.2 innings. Batters are hitting .329 career against him with RISP and .289 with the bags empty. This is his first time facing the Yanks.
The two clubs have had a rough time on the base paths this season. The A’s have stranded an American League leading 88 runners on base while batting .217 with RISP. The Yanks are a little better off, but not by much. Over their last six games, they are 4-57 (.070) with RISP while leaving 21 on base in the last two alone. They went 0-12 on Friday and Saturday and 1-11 on Sunday.
Tidbits:
Oakland has won 13 of the 19 meetings against the Yanks over the last 3 seasons, and are 21-17 since 2011.
Alex Rodriguez is two runs away from 1,000 in pinstripes.
Billy Beane is not forgiven for trading Josh Donaldson to the Blue Jays.
7:05 pm on Yes.
