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Angels-Yankees Preview

May 2, 2009 - 4:37 AM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

Los Angeles (9-12) at New York (12-10), 1:05 p.m. EDT

The New York Yankees have taken advantage of baseball's worst bullpen twice in as many games of their series against the Los Angeles Angels.

The Yankees look to extend their season-high winning streak to five games Saturday when the teams continue a four-game home set.

New York (13-10) has scored 36 runs during its streak, 17 coming in consecutive victories over Los Angeles (9-13). The Yankees broke a 4-4 tie with three runs in the eighth inning Thursday and scored six times off three relievers over the final two innings Friday to rally for a 10-9 victory.

Los Angeles' bullpen has a 7.69 ERA, a run worse than any other team. The relievers have been battered for nine runs over 3 2-3 innings in this series, and closer Brian Fuentes gave up two runs and failed to record an out in the bottom of the ninth Friday.

"We're certainly sorting through some stuff here in the early going," manager Mike Scioscia said. "We're just obviously not getting it done right now. We need guys to get the job done and too many of them are having trouble doing that right now."

Jorge Posada's two-run single off Fuentes completed New York's comeback from a 9-4 deficit. Posada also had a two-run homer in the first inning.

"Hopefully, we can learn a lot from it," Posada said.

Robinson Cano went 3-for-5 and matched his career-best hitting streak at 18 games, increasing his season average to .378.

Yankees right fielder Nick Swisher suffered a bruised right elbow when he was hit by a pitch in the first inning and left the game. Angels left fielder Bobby Abreu departed after 6 1/2 innings with a tight lower back.

Both may not play Saturday.

New York is still waiting for CC Sabathia (1-2, 4.73 ERA) to pitch like an ace after signing a $161 million, seven-year contract in the offseason. He had a shaky April, although he pitched a six-hitter for his first complete game in a 4-1 loss at Detroit on Monday.

Sabathia was encouraged by not walking a batter after issuing 14 walks in his first four outings. The left-hander is 5-5 with a 4.48 ERA in 12 outings against the Angels.

The Yankees have won three of four games in which they've faced rookie starters, and will take on another in Matt Palmer (1-0, 6.00) on Saturday. Palmer won his Angels debut April 23 against Detroit, yielding five runs over six innings of a 10-5 victory.

The 30-year-old right-hander's only previous major league experience came last year when he made three starts for San Francisco.

"I'm happy for my family and happy for myself that I kept pushing," Palmer said. "I've had opportunities off the field, but I love baseball and I love the opportunity to throw, and I've got the desire to play. So as long as I have that desire, I'm going to keep playing. Everybody says I'm 30, but I don't feel it."