Freddy Garcia returns from the disabled list this evening game series with the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.
Garcia, who will be pitching for the first time since August 7 because of a finger injury he sustained at home, has been a pleasant surprise for the Yanks, going 10-7 with a 3.16 ERA. He had won three straight starts before getting a no-decision against Boston on August 7, despite allowing just a run and five hits in five innings.
He is 5-7 lifetime against the Orioles with a 4.07 ERA in 14 starts
New York will be trying to make it two in a row tonight after splitting a day/night doubleheader with the Orioles on Sunday.
Left-hander Zach Britton tossed seven scoreless innings to lead the Orioles to a 2-0 win in game one, before New York exploded with five home runs in the nightcap on its way to an 8-3 win.
Curtis Granderson had two home runs and drove in four runs while upping his home run total this season to an MLB-best 38. He also leads the majors with 107 RBI.
"It's incredible what he's done this year," said New York manager Joe Girardi about Granderson. "There's been a lot of talk about MVP and that will all be settled later, but he's been unbelievable for us."
Ivan Nova (14-4), the leader among all rookies in wins, overcame a sluggish start to pitch into the eighth inning for the Yankees. The right-hander allowed three runs on five hits through the first three frames. Baltimore mustered only two more hits before Nova departed with two men on base and no outs.
David Robertson relieved Nova and Adam Jones singled to load the bases. But the Yankees reliever struck out Vladimir Guerrero, Mark Reynolds and Ryan Adams -- all swinging -- to escape the jam.
New York trails Boston by two games in the AL East. After this series the Yankees will visit Fenway Park for three games starting on Tuesday.
Baltimore starter Brian Matusz (1-7) surrendered six runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings.
"The body of work statistically may not look well, but [Matusz] had some periods where he looked pretty sharp," said Baltimore manager Buck Showalter.
Heading to the hill for the O's tonight will be righty Alfredo Simon, who is 4-6 with a 4.30 ERA. Simon was terrific in beating the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday, as he held them to a run and three hits in eight innings. He also fanned eight and walked a batter.
Simon has faced the Yankees four times (one start) and is 0-1 with a 5.63 ERA against them.
The Yankees have won 10 of their 13 meetings with the O's this season, including five of the seven games played in Baltimore.
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