Game 57: Pettitte goes for the series win

by Travis G on Jun 8, 2009 6:30 PM EDT in Game Threads

Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees, Jun 8, 2009 7:05 PM EDT

Because of the rain out on Friday, tonight will be the rubber match of this shortened three-game series.

Andy Pettitte takes the hill against Andy Sonnanstine.

Pettitte has lost the strike zone recently; he's walked 10 batters in his last 10 innings. If he can avoid the walks, he'll have a fine night. Pettitte has a lengthy career against the Rays, spanning 159.2 innings of 3.78 ERA ball. His last game against Tampa came on May 7 when he allowed five runs in five innings.

Sonnanstine, meanwhile, has struggled all season (except against the Yankees). His 2009 ERA stands at 7.07 thanks to 78 hits in 56 innings, but his best start was on May 6 when he allowed two runs in 7.1 innings in the Bronx. His career against the Yanks has been rough: 36 innings, 5.00 ERA, 7 HR.

Matsui (1.385 OPS) and A-Rod (1.000) are the only Yankees with outstanding numbers against him. On the flip-side, Swisher (.398 OPS) and Melky (.250) can't touch him.

FYI, Phil Hughes hasn't pitched in a week, so we'll hopefully see him tonight.

Lineup

Tampa Bay Rays @ New York Yankees

06/08/09 7:05 PM EDT

Tampa Bay Rays	New York Yankees
B.J. Upton - CF	Derek Jeter - SS
Carl Crawford - LF	Johnny Damon - LF
Evan Longoria - 3B	Mark Teixeira - 1B
Carlos Pena - 1B	Alex Rodriguez - 3B
Ben Zobrist - SS	Robinson Cano - 2B
Willy Aybar - 2B	Jorge Posada - C
Joe Dillon - DH	Hideki Matsui - DH
Gabe Kapler - RF	Nick Swisher - RF
Michel Hernandez - C	Melky Cabrera - CF

Tweet Comment 16 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Over/under

on 50 Bombs 140+ RBI this season?

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 8, 2009 7:30 PM EDT reply actions

...for Texiera?

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 8, 2009 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I See it

with the HRs getting hit all around in New Yankee Stadium.

by NYYEastcosterNJD on Jun 8, 2009 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Hughes

They’re probably saving him for the 3rd inning tomorrow.

by long time listener on Jun 8, 2009 8:08 PM EDT reply actions

shut me up

by long time listener on Jun 8, 2009 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions

nah you're probably right

I can’t see any reason why the hell you wouldn’t bring him back out for the 8th.

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 8, 2009 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions

GREatt

tie ballgame

by NYYEastcosterNJD on Jun 8, 2009 8:13 PM EDT reply actions

is it just me

or since the 18 game errorless streak ended there have been almost no errorless games?

by mrljdavid on Jun 8, 2009 8:49 PM EDT reply actions

break out the sour cream and chives

It’s another ’tater-fest.

by long time listener on Jun 8, 2009 8:51 PM EDT reply actions

WOW

HUGHES IS THROWING 96!!!

KEEP HIM IN THE PEN!

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 8, 2009 9:00 PM EDT reply actions

HUUUUUUUU

Dominating

by NYYEastcosterNJD on Jun 8, 2009 9:03 PM EDT reply actions

WOW!

HUGHES JUST DOMINATED THE 7TH INNING. HE THREW 96MPH TOO!!!!

HE LOOKED SO MUCH BETTER IN THE 7TH INNING, HE SHOULD BE THE YANKEES SETUP MAN THIS SEASON.

HE’S THE OBVIOUS CHOICE TO REPLACE RIVERA WHEN HE RETIRES!!!!!

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 8, 2009 9:05 PM EDT reply actions

Pending Pinstripes

We just put up our draft picks for what the Yankees could do tomorrow. If you want info on some guys that should be available or who may slide, check it out. Get all your questions answered here. http://mvn.com/pendingpinstripes/

by SMP86 on Jun 8, 2009 9:17 PM EDT reply actions

Damn...

Tex and Swisher’s HR probably would have been gone in every single stadium, but damn Damon’s was a wallscraper and Jetes hit the wind tunnel out there.

You gotta take advantage of your stadium. If the Yankees hit 500 HR this season, who the hell cares if they win?

The Red Sux have the Mownstah, the Yanks have the f’in jet stream. The Sux have been taking advantage of theirs for years, so the Yanks need to take advantage of their home stadium.

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 8, 2009 9:29 PM EDT reply actions