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Angels look to hand Yankees another loss

Aug 9, 2008 - 10:12 AM NY Yankees (63-53) at LA Angels (72-43), 3:55 pm EDT

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Ian Kennedy proved to be another weak link in the New York Yankees' long line of makeshift starting pitchers and they are forced to put their faith in another one against the best team in baseball for the second straight game.

The Los Angeles Angels look to hand the Yankees another loss on Saturday when they face Dan Giese, one of many band-aids manager Joe Girardi has used to patch up a bleeding back end of the rotation.

With Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes and Chien-Ming Wang all on the disabled list, New York has been forced to rely on unfamiliar names with hopes of making a familiar place its ultimate destiny - the playoffs.

Giese (1-3, 2.51 ERA) will make his first start since June 27, when he was tagged for six runs and five hits in four shoddy innings in what turned out to be a 15-6 thrashing by the New York Mets. In his first career start, he allowed three unearned runs in 6 2/3 frames against the Cincinnati Reds, but was on the short end of a 6-0 score.

The 31-year-old Anaheim, California native tossed three effective relief innings on Sunday against the Angels and was instrumental in the Yankees' 14-9 comeback triumph.

John Lackey (9-2, 3.10) was the starter that game, but his six solid innings were erased when the bullpen caved to the Yankees' streaky, yet powerful, offense. The 29-year-old righthander will look to win for the eighth time in nine decisions.

Lackey is 3-2 with a 3.09 ERA in seven starts against the Yankees over the past three seasons.

Howie Kendrick is 10-for-21 (.476) against the Yankees this year. During his career, he is 36-for-71 (.507) overall and 18-for-27 (.667) at home.