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Location:
Pitching Matchups and Preview:
Monday, 4/14/08: Ian Kennedy, RHP (0-1, 13.50) @ Andy Sonnanstine, RHP (1-1, 6.00)
Yankees: The 23-year-old Kennedy had a curveball thrown his way in his last appearance on April 9, informed about 20 minutes before first pitch that he wasn't starting due to weather concerns. The rains came but play never halted, leaving manager Joe Girardi to use Kennedy for the final three innings of a 4-0 loss at Kansas City. Kennedy has allowed eight earned runs in his first 5 1/3 innings of 2008 after allowing just 31 in 146 2/3 professional frames last season, including pitching 19 innings at the Major League level and recording a 1.89 ERA with New York. The Rays battered Kennedy for six runs on four hits in an abbreviated 2 1/3-inning start on April 4 at Yankee Stadium.
Rays: Coming off his first loss of the season, to Seattle on Wednesday, Sonnanstine will face the Yankees for the second time this season. The right-hander had a solid debut in New York on April 4, going six solid innings and scattering six hits and four runs. Sonnanstine gave up all four runs in the third inning, but settled down to retire the last 10 Yankees batters in order.
Tuesday, 4/15/08: Andy Pettitte, LHP (1-1, 3.09) @ Edwin Jackson, RHP (2-0, 0.64)
Yankees: Pettitte worked 6 2/3 strong innings on Friday at Kansas City, overcoming a 30-pitch first inning and a 22-minute rain delay in the fourth to help lift the Yankees to a 6-1 victory. Pettitte said he didn't have much in the early innings but hit his stride after the delay, showcasing his best stuff since lower back spasms derailed his Spring Training. Pettitte faced the Rays on April 5 in New York and took a loss, allowing five runs (three earned) in five innings.
Rays: Jackson is coming off a stellar two-hit performance vs. Seattle on April 10, in which the right-hander went eight strong innings, allowing two hits and striking out six. The last time he faced New York on April 5, Jackson beat Andy Pettitte 6-3 at Yankee Stadium, and retired the last nine batters he faced. Jackson allowed just one run off four hits in that game, striking out four.
Lineups:
YANKEES
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Ensberg 1B
Cabrera CF
Moeller C
Gonzalez 2B
Kennedy RHP (0-1, 13.50)
RAYS
Iwamura 2B
Crawford LF
Pena 1B
Upton CF
Longoria 3B
Hinske DH
Riggans C
Haynes RF
Bartlett SS
Sonnanstine RHP (1-1, 6.00)
Notes:
Jeter is back. Betemit to the DL with pink eye. Chad Moeller up. Joba on bereavement leave. Albaladejo is back up. -Jitpal
