By ,
Published February 05, 2015
(SportsNetwork.com) - Matt Garza got a big lift from his offense in his most recent start.
The Milwaukee hurler could be in line for some more support on Sunday afternoon as the Brewers aim for a series victory over the New York Yankees in the finale of a three-game set.
Garza has begun to put a slow start behind him, winning two of his last three starts after going 0-2 through his first four outings.
The right-hander is coming off an 8-3 win over Arizona on Monday, charged with three runs on eight hits and two walks over six innings. He was helped out by three homers from his offense.
"To back me the way they did tonight is awesome," Garza said of his offense. "Just to go out there and gut it out and grind it out for them is the least I could do."
Garza, 30, is 2-3 on the year with a 4.93 earned run average and 2-4 in his career versus the Yankees, posting a 4.03 ERA over 13 games (12 starts).
Milwaukee offered similar support to its pitching on Saturday night, with Jonathan Lucroy, Carlos Gomez and Aramis Ramirez all hitting homers in a 5-4 win.
However, the longballs were not the difference. Instead, it was Rickie Weeks' RBI single in the seventh inning that plated Lucroy to snap a 4-4 tie and halt a three-game losing streak.
"Nice to have somebody come through with that big hit," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said.
Zach Duke picked up the win despite surrendering Alfonso Soriano's run-scoring pinch-hit single in the top of the seventh that tied the game at 4-4.
CC Sabathia, who went 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA in a half-season with the Brewers in 2008, lasted 5 1/3 innings in his first start at Miller Park since leaving Milwaukee to sign with the Yankees. He allowed four runs, though just one was earned due to an error by New York shortstop Brendan Ryan that led to a three- run third.
"I'm not going to sit here and kill myself and be negative," Sabathia said. "Just keep battling, trying to get better and go from there."
Mark Teixeira went 2-for-4 with a solo homer for New York, which took Friday's opener of this three-game interleague set and came in having won three straight overall.
David Phelps will make his second start of the season today for the Yankees after nine relief outings to begin the campaign.
Phelps made his first start on Monday versus the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and did not factor into his club's 4-1 loss, logging 5 1/3 innings and allowing a run on three hits with a walk.
The 27-year-old righty has posted a 3.18 earned run average and a save without a decision this year and has never before faced the Brewers.
Phelps probably will not have to face Ramirez today after the Brewers third baseman exited Saturday's contest in the fourth inning with a hamstring injury. Though his official status is unknown, a trip to the disabled list appears likely for the veteran.
This is the Yankees' first trip to Miller Park since 2005, when they lost two out of three to the Brewers.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/garza-hopes-for-more-support-in-finale-with-yankees