"Super Nova" On The Hill To Face The Padres

SAN DIEGO -- CC Sabathia is not pitching well. Last night against the San Diego Padres, he tossed his fourth straight bad outing, coughing up five runs on 11 hits, issuing at least eight base knocks for the fourth straight outing.

His poor effort led to the Yankees dropping the series opener against the Padres Friday night, 7-2 from the always nice Petco Park in the always gorgeous San Diego.

Tonight's Lineup, 8:40 pm EST @ Petco Park:

Gardner CF
Cano 2B
Soriano LF
Granderson RF
Overbay 1B
Nunez SS
Lillibridge 3B
Stewart C
Nova RHP

Pitching Preview:

As I mentioned in the opener, Sabathia has been very good on the mound lately. On the other hand, Ivan Nova has been nothing short of dominant in his starts for the Yankees, in which he posted a 2.03 ERA over four starts in July, holding opponents to a .188 batting average.

Regardless of how well Nova has pitched, he's lost each of his last two starts as the Yankees have been shutout in each of those outings, giving Nova nothing to back up he solid outings.

"It feels really bad. We haven't scored enough runs in my last two starts," Nova said after his last outing against the Rays, when he gave up just one run on six hits in seven innings of work. "Sometimes when you pitch good, it's hard to be charged with a loss. It doesn't feel great."

Coming from the opposing dugout, the Padres will be sending right-hander Tyson Ross to the hill to try to shutdown a Yankees lineup that really hasn't imposed much of a threat lately.

Tyson is coming off an outstanding start against the Arizona Diamondbacks last Sunday, when he tossed a career-high eight shutout innings, allowing just three hits to the D-Backs hitters.

Yankee Notes:

* Yankees manager Joe Girardi announced before the game that Derek Jeter will sit out for the remainder of this weekend series against the Padres, sitting out Saturday and Sunday because of issues with his right leg and calf.

Girardi said that the hope is for Jeter to return to the Yankees' lineup  Monday in Chicago when the team opens up a three game series against the White Sox at US Cellular Field.

* David Phelps was scratched from his scheduled rehab with the Double-A Trenton Thunder Sunday night because of soreness in his right elbow, according to Trenton manager Tony Franklin.

"Just a little soreness, that's it. I think the proper way to go when you're sore is to be cautious with him, push him back a day or two, see how they feel the following day and go from there. No sense in running him out there," Franklin said. "There's some concern there, even when there's some soreness. Let's see how he feels tomorrow. If he feels better tomorrow, I'm sure they'll get him back in there as quickly as they possibly can."

* The New York Daily News is reporting the Major League Baseball is no longer looking to negotiate a deal with Alex Rodriguez, with sources saying the MLB is frustrated with the comments A-Rod made Friday night, basically saying that the Yankees and MLB are trying to keep him off the field.

The NYDS is reporting the MLB is getting ready to announce a 214-game suspension for A-Rod on Monday, which would equal out to sitting out for the rest of this season and all of next season.

For the full story on this situation, click here.

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