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Yankees look to post third straight win

May 23, 2008 - 1:48 PM Seattle (18-30) at NY Yankees (22-25) 7:05 pm EDT

BRONX, New York (Ticker) - The New York Yankees will be looking to take advantage of the struggling Seattle Mariners Friday when the teams begin a three-game series at Yankee Stadium.

After dropping nine out of 12 games, New York rebounded to take the last two contests against the Baltimore Orioles. Alex Rodriguez powered the Yankees to an 8-0 win on Wednesday and Robinson Cano provided the game-winning single in a 2-1 triumph on Thursday.

The struggling Mariners have lost 10 of their last 11 road games and were pounded during a three-game sweep at the hands of the Detroit Tigers. Seattle was outscored, 30-14, over the series and allowed Detroit's offense to bat .393 (44-for-112) with seven home runs.

None of Seattle's three starters made it past the fourth inning and allowed 20 earned runs in a combined 9 1/3 innings pitched against Detroit.

The Yankees swept a three-game series against the Mariners at the beginning of the month, outscoring them 19-4.

Erik Bedard (3-2, 3.24 ERA) took the loss for Seattle in the first game of that series, allowing three runs - one earned - and four hits in seven frames as the New York posted a 5-1 victory.

Bedard will get another chance on Friday when the lefthander takes the mound in the opener. Seattle's ace allowed two runs and five hits in eight innings, walking one while striking out 10, to earn a win over the San Diego Padres on Saturday.

The Yankees will counter with struggling lefthander Andy Pettitte (3-5, 4.42). The veteran hurler gave up three runs and seven hits in six innings Saturday to suffer his second straight loss and fourth in his last five starts.