• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Yankees-Blue Jays Preview

Sep 5, 2009 - 4:14 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

New York (86-48) at Toronto (59-74), 1:07 p.m. EDT

Andy Pettitte didn't need much support in his last start, but a one-hit performance from the New York Yankees isn't likely to be enough to get him another win.

Following a poor effort at the plate that led to their first loss on a seven-game road trip, the Yankees look to help Pettitte win his fourth straight start Saturday as they continue their series against the Toronto Blue Jays.

New York (86-49) had a seven-game winning streak snapped in the fifth game of its road trip, losing 6-0 to Toronto (60-74) on Friday night. The Yankees were held to one hit and struck out nine times in the second of this four game-set after averaging 8.1 runs during their seven straight victories.

As good as Pettitte (12-6, 4.03 ERA) was in his last start, he's going to need a little more production than New York was able to muster against Toronto ace Roy Halladay. Pettitte gave up one run and two hits while striking out eight in eight innings of New York's 5-1 win over Baltimore on Monday night.

The veteran left-hander retired the first 20 batters before an error ended his perfect game in the seventh inning. His no-hit bid came to an end when the next batter he faced singled.

Pettitte has won three straight starts and his last four decisions. Pettitte's latest win was his 190th with the Yankees, moving him into sole possession of third place on team's all-time list.

Only Hall of Famers Whitey Ford (236) and Red Ruffing (231) have won more games for New York.

Pettitte has posted a 1.37 ERA to win his last three starts at Toronto, and is 19-12 with a 4.18 ERA in 38 starts against the Blue Jays overall.

Mariano Rivera, who earned the save in Pettitte's last start, isn't expected to pitch again until at least Sunday due to a sore left groin. He will throw in the bullpen Saturday.

Rivera has pitched in five games since he first began to feel sore Aug. 15. He is 1-2 with a 1.78 ERA and a major league-leading 38 saves, converting a personal-best 34 straight.

Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, meanwhile, is expected back in the lineup after missing Friday's game. It was a scheduled day off for Jeter, but he also jammed a finger on his right hand diving for a ball in Thursday's series-opening 10-5 win.

The injury is not considered serious.

If Jeter plays, he'll likely be in the leadoff spot against Toronto rookie Brett Cecil (6-3, 5.42), who has an 11.37 ERA over his last three outings.

Cecil earned a win in his last start despite surrendering seven runs and nine hits in five innings as Toronto beat Texas 18-10 on Monday night. He was similarly terrible in his first start against the Yankees, giving up seven runs and nine hits in 3 2-3 innings of a 10-8 Blue Jays loss, though he didn't receive a decision.

"They had some injuries, and I had to be called up," Cecil told Toronto's official Web site. "How quick it was and all the adjustments that had to be made, I think I've done a pretty good job of holding my own up here."

He'll try to give Toronto a second straight strong start after the team had a 5.74 ERA in its previous 12 contests.

The Blue Jays won for the first time in five games, getting a strong game at the plate from Aaron Hill. He doubled twice and had two RBIs.

Hill entered Friday hitting .214 in his previous 14 contests against the Yankees.