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Yankees hope to avoid sweep vs. Royals

Apr 10, 2008 - 12:46 PM NY Yankees (4-5) at Kansas City (6-2) 8:10 pm EDT

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) - The New York Yankees will turn to Andy Pettitte on Thursday as the club tries to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Kansas City Royals.

The Royals have used dominant starting pitching to hold off the Yankees in the first two games of the series, with Brian Bannister allowing two runs in seven innings on Tuesday and Zack Greinke tossing eight scoreless frames on Wednesday.

Greinke was effective despite persistent rain Wednesday, throwing 73 of 107 pitches for strikes in a 4-0 victory.

In a curious move, New York manager Joe Girardi chose to play as if expecting a rain delay, pushing back scheduled starter Ian Kennedy in favor of a trio of relievers, led by Brian Bruney.

Kennedy eventually entered the game, but not until Kyle Farnsworth had surrendered a pair of runs.

If Pettitte (0-1, 5.80 ERA) hopes to reverse the Yankees' fortunes in the series, he likely will have to perform better than he did in his first start of the season.

The veteran lefthander allowed five runs - three earned - and eight hits in five innings Saturday during a loss to Tampa Bay.

Pettitte always has performed well against the Royals, owning an 11-3 mark with a 3.15 ERA in 19 appearances - 17 starts.

Kansas City will counter with converted reliever John Bale (0-1, 5.68). The lefthander suffered a loss at Minnesota last Friday, surrendering four runs and 10 hits in 6 1/3 innings.