Seattle @ New York preview
Yankee Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jul 25, 2012 ) NY Yankees 5, Seattle 2
The New York Yankees attempt to right the ship and cool down the Seattle Mariners when the clubs begin a three-game series at Yankee Stadium on Friday. Since sweeping Toronto at home from July 16-18, New York has gone 4-9 in losing three of four series. The lone series win came in Seattle, where the American League East-leading Yankees took two of three from July 23-25.
New York, which is 2-4 on its nine-game homestand, welcomes a Mariners team that has won seven straight contests and 13 of 17. Seattle, which has captured five of away from home, is kicking off a nine-game road trip. The club just completed a 10-game homestand during which it posted an 8-2 record.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Root Sports (Seattle), YES (New York), MLB Network
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Kevin Millwood (4-8, 3.90 ERA) vs. Yankees LH CC Sabathia (10-3, 3.57)
Millwood is coming off his first victory in over two months, a triumph over Kansas City on Saturday in which he allowed an unearned run and six hits over 6 1/3 innings. The 37-year-old had gone 0-4 in 10 starts, including a combined no-hitter on June 8 against the Los Angeles Angels, since tossing six scoreless frames in a win over Texas on May 23. Millwood fell to 3-7 lifetime against New York after yielding three runs over seven innings of a home loss on July 23.
Sabathia was fortunate to come away with a no-decision against Boston on Saturday after surrendering a season-high six runs in six innings. The burly veteran is unbeaten over his last six outings, going 3-0 with a 3.54 ERA. Sabathia, who has lost just once since May 20, is 11-4 with a 2.42 ERA in 19 career starts against the Mariners. He has won seven consecutive meetings with Seattle.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Yankees have hit at least one home run in 20 consecutive home games, matching the second-longest streak in franchise history.
2. New York OF Ichiro Suzuki, who was acquired from Seattle on July 23, went 3-for-12 against the Mariners at Safeco Field last week.
3. The Mariners have not won eight in a row since June 23-July 1, 2007.