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Yankees-Athletics Preview

Apr 19, 2010 - 7:17 PM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

New York (9-3) at Oakland (9-5), 10:05 p.m. EDT

When the New York Yankees start a three-game series Tuesday night against the Oakland Athletics, there will be a first-place team on the field. Surprisingly, it's not New York.

Expecting to have Derek Jeter back in the lineup, the Yankees look to extend their win streak to five when they take on the AL West-leading Athletics.

New York's 9-3 start is its best since opening 10-2 in 2003, although it's only good enough for second place in the AL East behind surging Tampa Bay.

The Yankees will still be the first winning team to face Oakland (9-5), which has the early lead in the West after finishing with losing records the last three seasons.

"When people don't talk too much about you, it's fun to fly under the radar," center fielder Ryan Sweeney told MLB's official website.

Oakland should be tested after being unable to contain Jeter while going 2-7 against New York last season. The Yankee captain batted .463 with two homers and nine RBIs, and has hit safely in his last 11 games versus the Athletics.

Jeter sat out his first game Sunday, missing New York's 5-2 victory over Texas due to a cold. The shortstop left Saturday's 7-3 win early, but is expected to return to start this nine-game trip.

Jeter has hit safely in every game this year, batting .380. He has three homers and seven RBIs during five straight multi-hit efforts.

The key to the Yankees' success, however, may be that their starters have a 1.90 ERA over the last eight games, allowing two runs or fewer in seven wins. The lone exception came Wednesday against the Angels when Javier Vazquez (0-2, 9.82 ERA) gave up four over 5 1-3 innings in a 5-3 loss.

The right-hander will take the mound looking for his first win, and the Yankees believe he is improving after he allowed eight runs in his season debut April 9 against Tampa Bay.

"For Javy, it's making sure he has a good angle on his fastball," manager Joe Girardi said. "I thought he threw better in the second start. If that trend continues, I think he'll throw well Tuesday night."

Vazquez is 2-3 with a 4.98 ERA in seven career starts against Oakland.

The Athletics expect second baseman Mark Ellis to return after missing the last seven games with a sore left hamstring. Ellis hit .345 in his first seven games.

The statuses of Daric Barton and Cliff Pennington are uncertain after both left Sunday's 8-3 loss to Baltimore. Barton exited with a contusion above his right elbow while Pennington suffered a wrist injury.

Oakland, which has an AL-best 2.90 ERA, will give Gio Gonzalez (1-0, 3.38) the ball for his first home start. Gonzalez is 3-6 with a 7.02 ERA in 12 career starts at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

The left-hander beat the Yankees in his lone start against them July 25 when he yielded one run over 6 2-3 innings in a 6-4 victory. Gonzalez allowed two runs in each of his first two 2010 outings, lasting 4 2-3 innings last Wednesday in a 4-2 loss at Seattle.