Knuckleball specialist R.A. Dickey, the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, make his return to New York Sunday when the Toronto Blue Jays take on the Yankees to conclude a four-game series.
Dickey, who went 20-6 with a 2.73 ERA last season for the Mets, is coming off a loss at Baltimore on Tuesday. In that game, he allowed six hits and four runs. Dickey is 3-1 with a 3.13 ERA in 10 games (4 starts) against the Yankees.
Phil Hughes will aim for his first win of 2013 today. The Yankee righty doesn't have a decision in his last two starts despite surrendering six hits and two runs over seven innings each time, most recently Tuesday at Tampa Bay. He's 5-5 with a 5.03 ERA in 23 games (16 starts) versus Toronto.
Yesterday, Travis Hafner hit a three-run homer and knocked in four runs, lifting New York to a 5-4 win. Vernon Wells had an RBI and scored twice for the Yankees, who have won the first three contests of this series.
CC Sabathia (4-2) continued his success against the Blue Jays, allowing four runs -- three earned -- on nine hits over eight innings. The left-hander, who struck out four, improved to 14-4 in 19 career starts against Toronto.
"I was just trying to keep the team in the game -- battling, making a pitch whenever I could -- and I ended up staying in there long enough for these guys to score some runs," Sabathia said.
Prior to the game, New York placed catcher Francisco Cervelli and pitcher Ivan Nova on the 15-day disabled list. Cervelli (broken right hand) and Nova (right triceps inflammation) exited Friday's game with injuries.
Jose Bautista and Brett Lawrie hit solo homers for the Blue Jays, who got an RBI from Rajai Davis.
Toronto starter J.A. Happ gave up three runs on eight hits while striking out five over six innings. Esmil Rogers (1-2) allowed two runs on two hits while recording just two outs in the seventh.
"You know what, right now we're not good enough. It's that simple," Toronto manager John Gibbons said.
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