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CC takes hill in opener with A's

Sep 21, 2012 - 2:52 PM

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(Sports Network) - CC Sabathia aims for his first win in almost a month on Friday when the New York Yankees begin a three-game set with the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium.

Sabathia lost his third consecutive decision last Friday against Tampa Bay, as he surrendered four runs and six hits in 6 2/3 innings to fall to 13-6 on the year, while raising his ERA to 3.63.

"He just looked like he started missing his spots," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said of a three-run Rays fifth that was Sabathia's undoing.

Over his last four starts Sabathia is 0-3 with a 4.67 ERA. He's also blown a lead in each of his last five outings.

Sabathia did not get a decision the last time he faced the A's and is 8-8 with a 4.80 ERA in 24 games. He is 3-0 with a 2.19 ERA in his last five starts against them.

New York moved a full game ahead of the idle Baltimore Orioles in the American League East on Thursday, as Nick Swisher capped a seven-run fourth inning with a grand slam and the Yankees cruised to a 10-7 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Ichiro Suzuki, a day after going 7-for-8 in New York's doubleheader sweep on Wednesday, homered and drove in three runs in the club's fifth straight win.

"To see him get on a roll ... is a lot fun to watch," Swisher said of Suzuki. "Whatever he's doing or whatever he's eating, I just want him to keep it going."

Phil Hughes (16-12) struck out nine in five innings and allowed four runs on four hits and three walks.

Oakland, meanwhile, salvaged the finale of its three-game series with the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, as Seth Smith's bases-clearing double highlighted a six-run ninth inning in the Athletics' 12-4 win.

Smith finished with three hits, including a solo homer, while Josh Donaldson and George Kottaras added two RBI each for the Athletics, who put the brakes on a three-game skid, but still hold a 4 1/2-game lead in the wild card.

"The Angels beat us three in a row at our place, and we came back and returned the favor on them. So, we've been able to come up big when we need to and today was right along those lines," said Athletics manager Bob Melvin.

Pat Neshek (2-1) recorded the final out of the fifth to snag the win. He subbed for starter Tommy Milone, who allowed nine hits and three runs over 4 2/3 frames.

Getting the call for the A's on Friday will be righty Jarrod Parker, who has won four of his last five decisions. Parker won his second straight start on Saturday against Baltimore, as he allowed two runs and seven hits in seven innings to run his record to 11-8, while lowering his ERA to 3.51.

Parker beat the Yankees earlier in the year in his only other appearance against them, limiting them to a run and five hits in eight innings.

New York won the first three meetings of the year between these clubs, but Oakland has bounced back to take the last four.






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