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Yankees attempt to keep fledgling playoff hopes alive

Aug 29, 2008 - 10:39 AM Toronto (68-65) at NY Yankees (71-62) 7:05 p.m. EDT

BRONX, New York (Ticker) -- The New York Yankees have a pulse - however faint it may be. They will attempt to keep their fledgling playoff hopes alive against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday.

The Yankees managed to stay within six games of the American League wild-card on Thursday with a 3-2 come-from-behind win over the Boston Red Sox (77-56). Jason Giambi tied the game at 2-2 with a two-run pinch blast in the seventh and drove in the winning run with a bases-loaded single in the ninth.

New York has not missed the playoffs in a full season since 1993 - the longest active streak in the majors.

After this series with the Blue Jays, the Yankees hit the road for a 10-game trip through Detroit, Tampa Bay, Seattle and Anaheim that will likely determine once and for all if they have a shot at the postseason in the last year of Yankee Stadium.

Carl Pavano (1-0, 5.40 ERA) will take the mound for his second start start April, 2007. The righthander has not made an appearance at Yankee Stadium since Opening Day 2007. He underwent "Tommy John" surgery in the spring of 2007 and did not return until Saturday at Baltimore.

Pavano earned a win against the Orioles, settling down after a pair of rough innings to last five frames, yielding three runs and six hits while walking one and striking out five.

Toronto will counter with righthander A.J. Burnett (16-9, 4.58). The veteran has been tough on the Yankees in the past, owning a 6-2 career record 2.63 ERA in nine starts against them, including 3-0 this season.

Burnett has not suffered a loss since July 18 at Tampa Bay, though he allowed five runs in seven innings in a no-decision against the Red Sox on Sunday.