Sabathia, Yankees Look To Rebound Against Angels
(AP) -- The Los Angeles Angels got enough from their inconsistent offense to earn a win in their return home and should get a boost just in time to face New York Yankees ace CC Sabathia.
Leading hitter Howie Kendrick is expected to be activated from the disabled list before Saturday night's matchup with the Yankees.
Since an 11-run outburst in Boston on May 5, the Angels have scored three or fewer in 14 of their last 27 games, including five shutouts, and batted .207 in those contests. In the other 13 games, they've averaged 5.5 runs while batting .280.
Los Angeles (30-29) pushed across three runs in Friday's series opener but it was enough to secure a one-run victory. The Angels scored twice in the first inning of their nine-game homestand and snapped New York's season-high, four-game win streak.
They'll have a chance to improve on that effort with Kendrick ready to return to the lineup. The second baseman, who has also seen time at first base and in the outfield, was batting .322 with seven homers and 18 RBIs when a strained right hamstring put him on the shelf May 26.
"It's just about getting back on the field now ... and get back into a rhythm with everybody else," he told the team's website. "I'm ready to go."
The Angels might need Kendrick's help against Sabathia (6-3, 2.98 ERA), who will try to win a fourth consecutive start. The left-hander has a 1.80 ERA during his streak and has benefited from a combined 25 runs of support.
"He just knows how to pitch. He knows how to give us distance, he knows what to do and he takes it upon himself that 'I'm going to go out and do it for you,'" manager Joe Girardi said after a 7-1 win in Seattle on Sunday. "When CC gets into a little bit of a jam there is no panic to him. He's going to continue to execute pitches."
Sabathia hasn't fared as well in his recent regular-season matchups with Los Angeles, dropping consecutive decisions and six of 10, but beat the Angels twice in the 2009 AL championship series to earn MVP honors.
Los Angeles was expected to counter with Dan Haren but he has been pushed back to Tuesday after experiencing discomfort in his lower back during a bullpen session this week. The Angels instead will look to Ervin Santana (3-4, 4.34), who is seeking his third straight win but coming off one of his worst starts of the season.
Santana gave up six runs over the first two innings Monday in Kansas City but avoided a loss when his teammates rallied for a 10-8 victory.
Santana is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in his last four starts against New York (31-24). Derek Jeter has batted .452 (14 of 31) in his career versus the right-hander and will try to move closer to his 3,000th hit Saturday.
The Yankees captain is 16 shy of that milestone after having a seven-game hit streak snapped during the series opener.
Kendrick is 8 for 12 in his career against Sabathia.
Including the postseason, Los Angeles has won 25 of 35 home matchups in this series.
