The ace CC Sabathia (7-5, 3.93 ERA) is up against the inexperienced Alex Colome (1-0, 0.00 ERA) in the third game of the series. Sabathia played the role of savior again on Sunday, throwing eight innings and allowing just two runs versus the Angels to help them end a five game losing streak.
Colome is making his second start of the season after his impressive debut against the Marlins on May 30, where he allowed just one earned run in a 5 2/3 innings for his first Major League win. He is 4-6 with a 3.07 ERA in 14 starts at Triple A Durham. “The most impressive thing is the overall package,” said Joe Maddon. “This guy has really, really good stuff.”
Colome is the Rays’ 12th ranked prospect and has a fastball that gets up to 97 mph. His fastball also sinks, which keeps the ball on the ground for the defense to get the out.
Colome is facing the Ace, who has more shutouts (12) than innings Colome has pitched (5 2/3). Sabathia, who has a 3.93 ERA over 103 innings this season, is on pace to surpass the 200-inning mark for the seventh straight season. He’s one of just five pitchers to have thrown 200 innings in each of the last six seasons, the list includes Justin Verlander, James Shields, Matt Cain and Mark Buehrle.
Zoilo Almonte, the 24 year old Dominican Republic native, made quite a splash in his first game with the Yankees going 3-4 with a home run in the sixth inning that sealed the victory. He might be seeing a lot more of left field at Yankee Stadium with Vernon Wells struggling since April ended, hitting just .178. Girardi said he will handle Almonte’s playing time on a day to day basis, but he definitely made a strong case for himself to stay.
Notes on the game.
Sabathia has 205 strikeouts against the Rays, the most he has against any team.
The Yankees will recall Ivan Nova to start on Sunday in the series finale.
Game kicks off at 1:05 PM (EST) on Yes
