New York @ San Diego preview
PETCO Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 2, 2013 ) NY Yankees 2, San Diego 7
Curtis Granderson's return did little to ignite a spark under the New York Yankees. After winning just one of their first three contests on their eight-game road trip, the Yankees look to rebound Saturday when they continue their series versus the San Diego Padres. Granderson went 0-for-3 in his return from a broken pinkie as the Yankees dropped a 7-2 decision and reside four games out of the final wild-card spot in the American League.
While New York struggled to find the big hit, All-Star Everth Cabrera highlighted his career high-tying four-hit performance with an RBI triple in the series-opening victory. San Diego's first win over New York in more than nine years was its eighth in 11 outings, but the Padres have plenty of work to do if they hope to entertain postseason aspirations. They sit nine games in back of the National League West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati, which holds the second wild card.
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, YES (New York), FSN San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Ivan Nova (4-4, 3.41 ERA) vs. Padres RH Tyson Ross (2-4, 2.90)
Nova has pitched well in his last two outings, but has a pair of setbacks to show for it. The 26-year-old Dominican ventured seven innings in both games, permitting a total of four runs and 13 hits - but the Yankees' failure to score in both outings proved to be his undoing. Nova has struggled away from home, posting a 1-2 mark with a 5.01 ERA while allowing the opposition to bat .300 against him.
Ross secured his second consecutive victory since being recalled from Triple-A Tucson, scattering three hits over eight scoreless innings against Arizona on Sunday. The 26-year-old converted reliever hasn't fared as well versus the Yankees, however, posting an 0-2 mark with a gaudy 7.27 ERA while permitting a .425 batting average. Ross has allowed only four homers in 59 innings of work in 2013.
WALK-OFFS
1. New York 3B Alex Rodriguez homered during a rehab game with Double-A Trenton on Friday. The 38-year-old, who is nursing a Grade 1 quad strain, is expected to play with the Thunder on Saturday before possibly rejoining the Yankees in Chicago for Monday's game against the White Sox.
2. San Diego will send former Yankee Ian Kennedy to the mound Sunday. Kennedy was acquired from NL West-rival Arizona at the trade deadline.
3. Padres LF Carlos Quentin missed his second straight game after tweaking his knee last week.
PREDICTION: Yankees 5, Padres 1