C.C. Sabathia made his return from the DL last night in a big way. He looked better than 100% after going 7.1 innings, allowing four hits, just one earned run, and struck out nine batters as the Yankees picked up a much-needed win and slightly extended their narrow division lead.
Tonight they will look for more of the same from Hiroki Kuroda, who has been one of the team’s most consistent starters all season. The pressure can’t lie all on him though. Besides Derek Jeter, who seems to be hitting anything thrown his way, the rest of the Bomber lineup has hit another rough patch, failing to produce many runs or move runners in scoring position again.
With under 40 games left on the schedule, and both the Tampa Rays and Baltimore Orioles right on their heels, the Yankees need to get on another role in order to maintain that top AL East spot and roll into the postseason hot.
New York Yankees (73-52)
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher RF
Robinson Cano 2B
Mark Teixeira 1B
Curtis Granderson CF
Eric Chavez 3B
Russell Martin C
Raul Ibanez DH
Ichiro Suzuki LF
Pitching: RHP Hiroki Kuroda (12-8, 2.96 ERA)
Game Time: 7:05 PM ET at Progressive Field
TV: YES, MLBN
Radio:Â WCBS 880, WADO 1280
