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Yankees look to put first half behind them

Jul 12, 2007 - 1:17 PM NY Yankees (42-43) at Tampa Bay (34-53) 7:10 pm EDT

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Ticker) - A trip to Tampa Bay to begin the second half of the season may be just what the New York Yankees need to forget about their mediocre first half.

New York on Thursday renews its one-sided divisional rivalry with the Devil Rays, who are just 50-102 all-time against the Yankees despite taking three of four meetings this season.

Andy Pettitte (4-6, 4.25 ERA) takes the mound for the Yankees, who are exiting the All-Star break under .500 for the first time since 1995. The lefthander has not won in four starts and was particularly bad in his last two outings.

After allowing eight runs in 1 2/3 innings in a 11-5 loss to Oakland on July 1, Pettitte was pounded for eight runs in five innings against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Friday. He avoided a loss against the Angels as the Yankees posted a 14-9 victory.

Pettitte has excellent career numbers against Tampa Bay, with an 11-1 record and 3.19 ERA in 18 games - 17 starts.

Tampa Bay counters with James Shields (7-4, 3.82), who won his last start on Thursday against Kansas City to end the team's 11-game losing streak. The 25-year-old righthander is 0-2 with a 5.68 ERA in three career starts against the Yankees.