And the recent slide continues to move downhill for the Yankees, as they lost 4-1 to the Blue Jays last night, making it their fourth loss in five games. New York was swept out of Toronto in a two-game series and will return to the Bronx tonight for the start of inter-league play, as they welcome the Cincinnati Reds for three games.
Andy Pettitte will throw tonight for the Yankees, making just his second start of the season. Their pitching staff is in dire need of a solid outing by someone other than C.C. Sabathia, which is why Pettitte was brought back to pinstripes. His previous outings against the Reds is average, with a 4-3 record and 3.64 ERA. He didn’t look like the Andy of old quite yet in his last start either as he looked to be vulnerable to the long ball, allowing two homers in the game. Hopefully Pettitte works his way back into superior shape and comfort on the mound and tonight can be another step towards doing so.
Of course, you can’t win games if you don’t score runs, and the bombers have been lacking seriously in this side of the game. The bottom of the order has not taken advantage of only base-runners that have put themselves on with walks or hits in the top three of the order. They have to find their stroke and start driving these guys in or it’s going to be a long season.
They’ll try to end their drought tonight when they face Bronson Arroyo for the Reds. Arroyo comes in with little experience against the Yankees but he’s not off to a bad start against his opponents thus far this year. With a 2-1 record but a 3.25 ERA, he’s pretty much shut batters down, only giving up five home runs as well. So it won’t be easy for the Yankees to crack the current mystery at the plate.
New York Yankees (20-18)
Derek Jeter, SS
Curtis Granderson, CF
Robinson Cano, 2B
Alex Rodriguez, 3B
Raul Ibanez, RF
Nick Swisher, 1B
Eric Chavez, DH
Dewayne Wise, Â LF
Chris Stewart, C
Pitcher: LHP Andy Pettitte (0-1, 5.68 ERA)
Game Time: 7:05 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium
Radio:Â WCBS 880, WADO 1280
TV:Â MY9, MLBN
