Yanks out to cap holiday weekend with sweep of Jays

Baseball Betting Lines

07/06/2009 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Yankees shoot for their fourth straight win this afternoon, when they try and complete a four-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium.

New York, which has beaten the Jays the last five times it has faced them, has not swept a four-game set from Toronto since turning the trick from September 18-21, 1995.

The Yanks will have their work cut out for them, though, as they will face rookie left-hander Ricky Romero, who has won his last three starts and has not given up a run in either of his last two outings.

Against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, Romero scattered four hits and struck out seven over eight scoreless innings to run his record to 6-3 while lowering his earned run average to 2.85.

The 24-year-old hurler, who will be facing the Yankees for the first time, has not given up a run in his last 20 innings.

New York feasted on another Toronto rookie on Sunday, as they managed seven runs and nine hits off of Brett Cecil in just 3 2/3 innings. However, Joba Chamberlain gave it all back and the Yankees had to pull out a 10-8 win.

Derek Jeter went 4-for-5 for New York, and his two-run homer was the difference in the win. Jeter, who was named the starting shortstop for the American League in this year's All-Star Game prior to Sunday's contest, also scored three times.

Hideki Matsui cracked a three-run homer in the fourth inning and finished with four RBI for the Yankees, who have won three straight and 10 of 11 overall. Jorge Posada finished 4-for-5 with three RBI in the win.

Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez was given the day off and was replaced by Cody Ransom, who went 0-for-3 with a walk and run scored. Rodriguez is expected back in the lineup this afternoon.

Chamberlain pitched to a no-decision despite being touched for eight runs -- three earned -- on nine hits over 3 2/3 innings. Jonathan Albaladejo (3-1), who was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre earlier on Sunday to take the roster spot of the injured Chien-Ming Wang, earned the win with 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.

Alfredo Aceves earned his first career save after pitching the last four innings and giving up just one hit while striking out five.

"He did a tremendous job," Jeter said about Aceves. For him to come in and shut down that team, capable of scoring a lot of runs, he did a tremendous job,"

Adam Lind had a two-run homer while Aaron Hill also belted a two-run shot and finished with three RBI for Toronto, which has lost seven of eight. Scott Rolen went 1-for-5 and extended his hitting streak to 22 games.

"I said yesterday, we're playing good, just not quite good enough," Lind said. "We'll be back here tomorrow, trying to win a game."

New York will pin its hopes this afternoon on veteran left-hander Andy Pettitte, who has won his last two decisions and three of his last four. Pettitte earned the win on Wednesday against Seattle, as he allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings to run his record to 8-3 to go along with a 4.25 ERA.

Pettitte defeated the Jays the last time he faced them, back on May 13, and is 18-11 lifetime against them with a 4.12 ERA in 37 games, 36 of which have been starts.

The Yankees won two of three matchups in Toronto from May 12-14 and have taken seven of the nine most recent meetings between the teams.

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

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