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Pinstripe Pulse: The Pitchers (Edition #4)

If the Yankees as a team were the patient, they would be in critical condition. However, the pitching staff has actually improved since the last period. Yankee starters and relievers continue to lag their peers in terms of ERA, at eighth and 14th in the American League, respectively, but their 4.14 and 3.90 rates represent a rebound from the 4.32 and 5.25 figures posted in the previous two week period. The bullpen remains anchored by Rafael Soriano and David Robertson, while the rotation has received solid, but not spectacular, performances across the board.

Starter

Prior

Current

Comments

Andy Pettitte

Pavano_medium

Pavano_medium

Pettitte has begun throwing off the mound and may finally be activated within the next 10 days.

CC Sabathia

Pavano_medium Side_medium

Since coming off the DL, Sabathia has posted an impressive 2.53 ERA, but in his past two outings, which resulted in team losses, the big lefty was unable to protect a lead.

David Phelps

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Phelps finally had his first hiccup of the season with two lackluster starts during the period. In 11 innings, Phelps 5.73 ERA was second highest among starters.

Freddy Garcia

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Because of Joe Girardi's decision to reshuffle the rotation, Garcia only had one start in the past two weeks. Despite lasting only 4 2/3 in his outing versus Cleveland, the veteran limited the Tribe to two runs in a Yankees' victory.

Hiroki Kuroda

Ford_medium Side_medium

After an impressive run of dominance, Kuroda stumbled a bit during the period, but still managed to pitch eight innings in both of his starts. In each outing, the home run ball lead to the veteran's demise, but otherwise, his peripheral numbers (12 hits, 10 strikeouts, and 2 walks) were respectable.

Ivan Nova

Side_medium Pavano_medium

In his only start before being diagnosed with rotator cuff inflammation, Nova allowed six runs in six innings during a 7-3 loss against the White Sox.

Phil Hughes

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Over his first 19 innings of the period, Hughes utilized a revamped repertoire to limit the opposition to four runs and 14 hits. However, his last four batters against the Orioles on Sunday resulted in four runs, overshadowing his prior good work.

Reliever

Prior

Current

Comments

Boone Logan

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Logan has pitched four scoreless innings over the past two weeks, but in his most recent outing, the lefty allowed two inherited runners to score.

Clay Rapada

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Rapada has only faced four batters during the period, but the lefty specialist has retired three and stranded all of his inherited runners.

Cody Eppley

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After a rough patch, Eppley allowed only one run in his last four appearances, although the two inherited runners he allowed to score each contributed to a loss.

David Robertson

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In seven innings, Robertson only allowed one run, but it turned out to be the deciding tally in the Yankees' 4-3 loss on Monday. Perhaps of greater concern is the righty's five strikeouts, a rate much lower than he has produced in the past.

Derek Lowe

Up_medium Proctor_medium

After a solid debut in pinstripes, Lowe has resorted to his struggles in Cleveland. The righty has allowed at least one run in all five outings during the period, all of which resulted in a team loss. In addition to an ERA over 11, Lowe has also allowed 16 of 27 batters faced to reach base.

Joba Chamberlain

Proctor_medium

Proctor_medium

Limited to only two appearances, Chamberlain continued to struggle in his comeback from TJ surgery. In his first outing, Joba allowed two inherited runners to score, while his second outing resulted in one run allowed, although a HR saving catch by Chris Dickerson helped lessen the damage.

Rafael Soriano

Mo_medium

Side_medium

Soriano was four for five in save opportunities, but the one blemish was an excruciating loss to the Blue Jays in which the right hander surrendering a three-run home run in the top of the ninth.

Mariano Rivera

Pavano_medium

Pavano_medium

Rivera has begun throwing on flat ground, but there is no timetable set for his return, which is expected in 2013.

Note: Current period includes statistics compiled from August 21 to September 3.

Pinstripe Pulse Pitcher Photo Legend

Pavano_medium

Carl Pavano signifies a player who is injured and unable to perform.

Ford_medium

Whitey Ford only makes an appearance when a starting pitcher is performing at an elite level.

Aj_medium

AJ Burnett is used to denote a starter whose recent performance has been difficult to swallow.

Mo_medium

Mariano Rivera is the symbol for a reliever whose recent body of work is worthy of the immortal closer.

Proctor_medium

Scott Proctor is used, and perhaps overused, to indicate a reliever who has performed particularly poorly in his recent outings.