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Yankees face Giants, look to bounce back behind Igawa

Jun 22, 2007 - 12:34 PM NY Yankees (35-35) at San Francisco (30-41) 10:15 pm EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) - After getting swept by the Colorado Rockies, the New York Yankees will look to get on track against one of worst teams in the National League.

The Yankees continue their nine-game road trip against the struggling San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on Friday night.

It was an embarrassing three games in Colorado for the Yankees, who entered the series having won 11 of their previous 12 games but scored just five runs in the set at hitter-friendly Coors Field.

To make matters worse, New York threw three of its best pitchers, going down with Mike Mussina, Andy Pettitte and seven-time Cy Young Award-winner Roger Clemens. In Thursday afternoon's game, Clemens allowed four runs and seven hits in just 4 1/3 innings, walking one and striking out six in a 4-3 loss in the series finale. The thin air may have gotten to the 44-year-old hurler, who was making his third start in his second stint with the Yankees.

New York will look to get back on track behind much-maligned rookie Kei Igawa (2-1, 7.63 ERA), who is making his first start since being recalled from the minor leagues. Igawa, who was signed to a five-year, $20 million contract in the offseason, has been a huge disappointment.

He was not able to pitch consisently before being sent down, posting his best outing in relief - tossing six scoreless frames against the Boston Red Sox on April 28. In his last start before his demotion, Igawa allowed eight runs and nine hits in four frames in a 15-11 loss vs. Seattle on May 4.

He will be opposed by Giants ace Matt Cain (2-7, 3.15), who has not won since May 15, despite allowing just five runs in his last 20 1/3 innings.

The anchor of San Francisco's stellar young staff, Cain has been impressive but not enough to propel his club from last place in the National League West. The Giants have lost seven in a row, including a three-game sweep at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers this week.