(SportsNetwork.com) - Hiroki Kuroda tries to help the New York Yankees avoid a third straight 0-2 start on Wednesday when they continue a three-game series with the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.
Houston spoiled Derek Jeter's final Opening Day on Tuesday, as Scott Feldman tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings, Jesus Guzman smacked a two-run homer and Dexter Fowler went 2-for-4 with two runs scored to help the Astros to a 6-2 win.
Feldman (1-0), signed to a three-year, $30 million contract in December, limited New York's star-studded lineup to a pair of singles in an impressive Astros debut. He was backed by a big opening inning, capped by the ex-Padre Guzman's two-run blast off CC Sabathia that staked Houston to a 4-0 lead.
"Any time you're going against a pitcher like CC Sabathia and runs you get help are awesome. We were able to put six up tonight and that helped out a lot," Feldman said.
Jose Altuve added a pair of RBI singles and L.J. Hoes drilled a solo homer in only the Astros' third win in 16 all-time meetings with New York.
Sabathia (0-1) surrendered six runs -- all in the first two innings -- while yielding eight hits and striking out six over six frames.
"I didn't want to overthrow and be all over the place, but I don't think pulling back helped. I have to find a place in the middle where I can be effective,"
Jeter, who will be honored by the Astros prior to Wednesday's contest, went 1- for-3 with a single and a run scored.
Now the Yankees turn to Kuroda, who has dominated the Astros over the course of his career. Kuroda is a perfect 4-0 in eight starts against them, while pitching to a 1.39 ERA. He also carries a 22-inning shutout streak against them into this start.
Kuroda was the Yankees best starter for most of last season, going 11-13 with a 3.31 ERA in 32 starts. However, he lost his final six decisions of the season and pitched to a 6.56 ERA over his last eight starts.
He pitched to a 4.76 ERA this spring.
"When the season starts, it could be different," Kuroda said through an interpreter. "I have to expect different things. But the fact that I was healthy through Spring Training, I'm pretty satisfied."
Houston, meanwhile, will counter with highly regarded righty Jarred Cosart, who made 10 starts for the Astros last season and was 1-1 with a 1.95 ERA. However, he struggled with his command at times and walked 35 batters opposed to his 33 strikeouts in 60 innings.
"It's my first Opening Day in the big leagues, and I've had guys tell me once you only get one first start to the year, so make the most of it," Cosart said. "That's what I'm going to try to go out and do."
The Yankees swept the Astros to close last season and were 5-1 against them a year ago.
Jeter's former teammates Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte are expected to be part of the pregame festivities.
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