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Yankees look for improvement from Kennedy

May 1, 2008 - 1:18 PM Detroit (13-15) at NY Yankees (14-15) 7:05 pm EDT

BRONX, New York (Ticker) - The New York Yankees are banking a lot this season on young pitching. They are hoping one of those young pitchers finds the win column Thursday when the Yankees host the Detroit Tigers.

New York had a chance to land Johan Santana in the offseason but reportedly refused to include both Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy in the deal. One month into the season, Hughes and Kennedy are a combined 0-6 with an 8.78 ERA.

Kennedy (0-2, 8.53 ERA) will be hoping to turn the corner when he takes the mound in the series finale.

The rookie righthander rocketed through the Yankees system last season based largely on his ability to command the ball within the strike zone, walking just 50 batters in 146 1/3 innings in the minors.

But command has been the biggest problem for the 23-year-old this season, as he has issued 17 walks and 23 hits in 19 frames.

He has worked past the fourth inning just twice in his five starts, including Saturday at Cleveland when he allowed three runs, four hits and four walks in five innings while not factoring in the decision.

The Tigers will counter with lefthander Nate Robertson(0-3, 6.91), who is also looking for his first win this season. The veteran hurler allowed four runs and six hits in seven innings Friday to absorb a loss against the Angels.

Robertson has struggled against New York in his career, owning a 1-5 record with a 4.86 ERA in seven starts against the traditional power.

Detroit has taken the first two games of the series. Placido Polanco homered twice in Wednesday's 6-2 win.