Kuroda Loss Latest Poor Showing Out Of Yankees' Rotation
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) — Hiroki Kuroda was behind 4-0 after five batters and left fielder Brett Gardner will be out of the lineup for at least 15 days.
From beginning to end, it was a rough night for the Yankees.
Justin Morneau hit two mammoth homers off Kuroda, and Jason Marquis won his Minnesota debut to lead the Twins past New York 6-5 Wednesday night.
Kuroda was tagged for 10 hits in 4 1-3 innings after taking a shutout into the ninth Friday in the home opener against the Angels.
"He was up all night," manager Joe Girardi said. "He didn't have his good sinker tonight like he had with the Angels."
It was just the latest sub-par performance out of the Yankees' rotation. Kuroda's ERA is now an even 5.00, which believe it or not, is second best among the five starters.
Ivan Nova leads the pack with a 4.15 ERA. Then comes Kuroda, ace CC Sabathia (5.59), Freddy Garcia (6.97) and Phil Hughes (9.00).
Um, when will Andy Pettitte be ready again?
Hughes (0-2) will start the series finale Thursday night against Minnesota right-hander Anthony Swarzak (0-2, 3.75).
With Pettitte's comeback almost complete and righty Michael Pineda on the mend, Hughes insisted he's not worried about losing his spot in the rotation if he doesn't start pitching well.
"I have to do my job first," he said. "That's part of being a Yankee. If you're not getting the job done, then they'll bring in someone else."
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