(Sports Network) - The new York Yankees target their third straight win this afternoon when they start a three-game set against the Toronto Blue Jays at SkyDome.
New York comes into today's contest after taking the final two games of their crucial three-game series against Boston to raise their lead in the AL East to 5 1/2 games over the Red Sox.
On Sunday, Roger Clemens picked up the win in his final regular-season start at Fenway Park, as the Yankees posted an 8-4 win in the finale.
Clemens (13-8) gave up four runs and six hits in 6 2/3 innings of work. He left with the bases loaded in the seventh to a standing ovation from the Boston faithful. After heading into the dugout, Clemens acknowledged the crowd with a curtain call, as the future Hall of Famer pitched what could possibly be his last-ever game in Boston.
Clemens, who spent the first 13 years of his career with the Red Sox, picked up his 100th career win, compared to just 55 losses, at Fenway.
Mariano Rivera struck out Nomar Garciaparra with the bases loaded in the ninth to close out the contest and earn his 31st save of the season.
The victory came at a price for New York, as Derek Jeter was forced to leave the game in the seventh with a rib-cage injury. He is expected to miss at least three games.
So, needing another infielder, the Yankees coaxed former shortstop Luis Sojo out of retirement and signed the 38-year-old support staff member to a minor- league deal. He will be in uniform today.
Heading to the hill for the Yankees will be lefthander David Wells, who is coming off his worst outing of the year in his last trip to the bump. The 40- year-old hurler was hammered for a season-high 10 runs and 11 hits over 5 1/3 innings in an 11-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.
The setback dropped him to 12-5 on the year, while raising his ERA to 4.37. After the game pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre questioned Wells' work ethic and conditioning leading to a war of words during the week.
Wells is unbeaten in 12 road outings this year, going 7-0 with a 2.84 ERA.
Wells, who pitched for Toronto from 1987-92 and 1999-2000, is 4-6 with a 5.42 ERA in 13 career starts against his former club.
New York first baseman Jason Giambi went 0-for-4 yesterday and stretched his hitless streak to 20, which is two short of his career high established in 1996.
New York has won eight of the 15 matchups this season and is 5-1 against the Jays north of the border.
The Yankees own the best mark in the majors on the road this season at 44-24.
http://sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page=mlb/news/AAN2772332.htm
New York comes into today's contest after taking the final two games of their crucial three-game series against Boston to raise their lead in the AL East to 5 1/2 games over the Red Sox.
On Sunday, Roger Clemens picked up the win in his final regular-season start at Fenway Park, as the Yankees posted an 8-4 win in the finale.
Clemens (13-8) gave up four runs and six hits in 6 2/3 innings of work. He left with the bases loaded in the seventh to a standing ovation from the Boston faithful. After heading into the dugout, Clemens acknowledged the crowd with a curtain call, as the future Hall of Famer pitched what could possibly be his last-ever game in Boston.
Clemens, who spent the first 13 years of his career with the Red Sox, picked up his 100th career win, compared to just 55 losses, at Fenway.
Mariano Rivera struck out Nomar Garciaparra with the bases loaded in the ninth to close out the contest and earn his 31st save of the season.
The victory came at a price for New York, as Derek Jeter was forced to leave the game in the seventh with a rib-cage injury. He is expected to miss at least three games.
So, needing another infielder, the Yankees coaxed former shortstop Luis Sojo out of retirement and signed the 38-year-old support staff member to a minor- league deal. He will be in uniform today.
Heading to the hill for the Yankees will be lefthander David Wells, who is coming off his worst outing of the year in his last trip to the bump. The 40- year-old hurler was hammered for a season-high 10 runs and 11 hits over 5 1/3 innings in an 11-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.
The setback dropped him to 12-5 on the year, while raising his ERA to 4.37. After the game pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre questioned Wells' work ethic and conditioning leading to a war of words during the week.
Wells is unbeaten in 12 road outings this year, going 7-0 with a 2.84 ERA.
Wells, who pitched for Toronto from 1987-92 and 1999-2000, is 4-6 with a 5.42 ERA in 13 career starts against his former club.
New York first baseman Jason Giambi went 0-for-4 yesterday and stretched his hitless streak to 20, which is two short of his career high established in 1996.
New York has won eight of the 15 matchups this season and is 5-1 against the Jays north of the border.
The Yankees own the best mark in the majors on the road this season at 44-24.
http://sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page=mlb/news/AAN2772332.htm
