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Struggling Yankees open road trip vs. Blue Jays

May 28, 2007 - 1:12 PM NY Yankees (21-27) at Toronto (22-27) 7:07 pm EDT

TORONTO (Ticker) - After winning a series against the rival Boston Red Sox last week, the New York Yankees thought they were heading in the right direction. But they still are struggling to get on track.

The Yankees will start their longest road trip of the season when they face the Toronto Blue Jays in the opener of a three-game set on Monday night.

New York was swept this weekend by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, who could not get to Yankees starter Mike Mussina but patiently waited to do their damage against reliever Scott Proctor in a 4-3 victory in the series finale on Sunday afternoon.

The Yankees lost for the 11th time in 16 games and are a season-worst 12 games behind the Red Sox in the American League East. During this slump, they have scored three runs or fewer nine times.

As a result, New York will look to get back on track with a stellar outing from one of its inexperienced starters. Rookie Matt DeSalvo (1-1, 5.29 ERA), who did not record an out in a disappointing relief outing in Friday's series opener vs. the Angels, will take the mound.

The righthander allowed just three runs and 10 hits in 13 2/3 innings over his first two major league starts. But in his third outing, DeSalvo yielded four runs and six hits in just 3 1/3 frames - preceding his disastrous relief outing.

New York is starting a 10-game road trip.

DeSalvo will be opposed by Dustin McGowan (0-2, 7.17), who allowed three runs and eight hits in six innings in a 5-2 loss at Baltimore on Wednesday. The righthander, who has not tossed more than six frames this season, still is looking for his first win.

The Blue Jays have alternated wins and losses in their last nine games.