New York @ San Diego preview
PETCO Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 3, 2013 ) NY Yankees 3, San Diego 0
Ian Kennedy makes his first start for his new team on Sunday against the club that selected him with the 21st overall pick of the 2006 draft. Acquired at the trade deadline, the right-hander attempts to pitch the San Diego Padres to an interleague series victory versus the visiting New York Yankees in the rubber contest of the three-game set. After pounding out 14 hits in the series opener, San Diego mustered little offensively against Ivan Nova en route to a 3-0 setback Saturday.
Playing in his second contest since returning from a two-month absence, Curtis Granderson belted a two-run shot on Saturday. Derek Jeter missed that game and will be a spectator on Sunday as he deals with a right leg injury. The captain has played in just five contests for New York, which is 2-2 on its eight-game road trip and sits 3 1/2 games in back of Cleveland for the second wild-card berth in the American League.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, YES (New York), FSN San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Phil Hughes (4-9, 4.58 ERA) vs. Padres RH Ian Kennedy (3-8, 5.23 ERA)
With just one win in his last eight starts, Hughes escaped with a no-decision after yielding five runs on nine hits in four innings against Tampa Bay on Sunday. The 27-year-old has permitted five homers in his last three starts after issuing just 15 in his previous 15 outings. Despite his struggles, Hughes owns a 3-2 mark with a 3.02 ERA on the road.
Kennedy is searching for his first win since June 1, dropping his fifth decision in that stretch in his last trip to the mound. The 28-year-old allowed three runs on six hits in five innings in a loss to Tampa Bay on Tuesday. Kennedy has been generous with free passes, issuing multiple walks in each of his last seven outings and 48 in 124 innings this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. 3B Alex Rodriguez is hoping to return to the Yankees for Monday's game against the Chicago White Sox. Multiple reports, however, have Major League Baseball poised to issue a lengthy suspension on that day.
2. Speaking of the Biogenesis drug clinic investigation, San Diego signed SS Ronny Cedeno to a minor league contract. The move was made with All-Star Everth Cabrera facing a possible suspension.
3. New York LF Alfonso Soriano has recorded seven hits in his last four starts. He has fared well versus Kennedy, going 6-for-13 with three homers.
PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Padres 4