Marlins 4 - 9 Yankees
Final
  for this game

A-Rod aims to move closer to 3,000 hits vs. Marlins

Jun 18, 2015 - 2:37 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez tries to move closer to 3,000 hits when the club closes out a four-game series versus the Miami Marlins Thursday in the Bronx.

Rodriguez is three hits shy of reaching the milestone and went 2-for-2 with two walks and an RBI in Wednesday's 2-1 victory over the Marlins.

"I hope he gets it over with tomorrow so he doesn't have to answer questions and he can move on," Yanks manager Joe Girardi said after Wednesday's game. "It didn't seem to bother him tonight. I thought he was patient. I didn't think he went out of his zone tonight. I thought he had a good plan at the plate, so we'll see what tomorrow brings."

A-Rod is trying to become the 29th player in Major League history with 3,000 career hits.

"It would be pretty awesome," Rodriguez said. "I would be very excited about it. I know my mom's excited about it; she's watching every day and counting down, and that will be an exciting day in the Rodriguez house for sure."

Carlos Beltran had two hits and an RBI to help the Yankees open an eight-game homestand on a high note. Michael Pineda did his part on the mound and carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning. Christian Yelich ended the bid with a leadoff homer in the seventh, the only hit surrendered in an outstanding 6 2/3-inning performance by Pineda.

Pineda struck out nine and issued just two walks prior to the blast.

"Today was a huge win for us. We needed to get back on the saddle and get a win," Rodriguez said. "(Pineda) was awesome today and it was as fun a game as we've played all year."

The Yankees are one game behind Tampa Bay for the AL East lead and have won nine of their last 14 games. They will also host Detroit and Philadelphia at Yankee Stadium.

CC Sabathia draws the start for New York Thursday and is only 3-7 with a 5.38 earned run average in 13 starts. Sabathia is 3-2 in his last five decisions and did not factor in the outcome of a 9-4 loss at Baltimore on Saturday, surrendering four runs and eight hits in five innings. He has allowed four or more runs three times in the previous five starts.

Sabathia did not record a decision in his only start against the Marlins back in 2009 and pitched only 1 1/3 innings because of a biceps issue, giving up one run and three hits. Miami is the only team the lefty hasn't beaten.

The Marlins had won five of six games prior to last night's defeat, as Yelich homered and Jose Urena absorbed the hard-luck loss for allowing two runs in six innings.

Giancarlo Stanton went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts to have a nine-game hitting streak end.

Taking the mound for Miami Thursday will be Mat Latos and he tasted victory the previous time out on Saturday versus Colorado. Latos, in his first appearance since May 21 because of a balky knee, struck out 11 batters and walked two in seven innings of work. He allowed one run and four hits to improve to 2-4 with a 5.44 ERA in 10 starts.

Latos has never faced the Yankees and is 1-2 in four road starts.






Related News