Hiroki Kuroda (2-1, 3.86 ERA) and Erik Bedard (0-0, 0.00 ERA) face off in game two tonight in Tampa Bay. Kuroda has been reliable again this season, throwing back to back wins. He allowed only a two run homer through his first six innings of work on April 12 before another two run seventh inning. Kuroda has been sharp this season, but he has struggled with the Rays in the past. His 7.36 ERA in five career starts against them is his highest against any team.
Bedard returned to Tampa Bay to pitch at Triple-A Durham after not winning a rotation spot this spring. He will be starting in place of Alex Cobb, who is on the 15 day DL with a strained left oblique. “I was just looking to see if there was another big league opportunity, but there wasn’t,” Bedard said. “My gut feeling was to come here. I love the guys. I love the front office, the coaches and all of that. I felt comfortable here, so I came back here.”
Carlos Beltran scared the team and Yankees fans everywhere Thursday after he went head first over a low wall in right field chasing a Desmond Jennings foul ball. The impact looked bad but luckily he stayed in the game. Beltran said that his left shoulder and right wrist are sore, and he is not sure if he will be able to play on Friday. “As soon as the ball was hit, I knew it was going to be down the line,” Beltran said. “I didn’t want to take my eyes off the baseball because of the roof, and I just didn’t really see it. I went over the wall. I’ve got to see how I’m going to wake up on Friday. Hopefully, I’m fine.”
Notes on the game
The Yankees have won five consecutive games for the first time since August 18-22, 2013.
Tampa Bay has scored just 16 runs over its past 10 games.
First pitch at 7:10 PM on Yes
