NEW YORK (AP) -The New York Yankees lost another starting pitcher Saturday, two batters into their game against Boston.
Jeff Karstens was hit in the knee by Julio Lugo’s line drive on his first pitch, then came out after giving up a single to Kevin Youkilis. The right-hander was replaced by Kei Igawa, relegated to the bullpen after flopping in his most recent start Monday night against Tampa Bay.
It was the latest injury to New York’s depleted staff. Already missing starters Mike Mussina (hamstring) and Carl Pavano (forearm), the struggling Yankees sent Karstens to the mound hoping he could help end a seven-game skid – their longest since the last week of the 2000 season.
He lasted only six pitches. Lugo’s hard liner hit Karstens on the side of his right knee, and the rookie crumpled to the ground in pain as Lugo reached first with an infield single for the Red Sox.
A trainer and manager Joe Torre came out of the dugout to check on Karstens, who stayed down for several moments before getting up and trying to walk it off. He received a huge hand from the crowd, threw a few warmup pitches and remained in the game.
But Karstens, who began the season on the disabled list with tendinitis in his right elbow, fell behind 3-1 on Youkilis and gave up a sharp single to left. Torre popped out of the dugout again – with a trainer, again – and signaled for Igawa. Wearing sunglasses on a cloudy afternoon, the left-hander was given as much time as he needed to warm up.
Igawa escaped the first inning without any damage. On his second pitch, the rookie got slugger David Ortiz to ground into a double play. After a walk to Manny Ramirez, Igawa struck out J.D. Drew with runners at the corners.
Igawa got Ortiz to ground into another double play in the third, ending the inning.
The Yankees spent $46 million to bring Igawa over from Japan, but he has been inconsistent in four starts. He began the day 1-1 with a 7.84 ERA and nine walks in 20 2-3 innings.
Beset by injuries to its top pitchers, New York recently got Chien-Ming Wang back from the DL. Wang, a 19-game winner last season and runner-up for the AL Cy Young Award, is scheduled to make his second start of the season Sunday in the series finale against Boston.
Karstens (0-1), in the rotation mainly because of the injuries and ineffectiveness of other Yankees starters, limped off the field after he was removed. He was roughed up at Fenway Park in his first outing of the year last Saturday, allowing seven runs and nine hits in 4 1-3 innings.
Add A Comment
THIS IS NOT A GAMBLING SITE – If you think you have a gambling problem click here.
Disclaimer: This site is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Individual users are responsible for the laws regarding accessing gambling information from their jurisdictions. Many countries around the world prohibit gambling, please check the laws in your location. Any use of this information that may violate any federal, state, local or international law is strictly prohibited.
Copyright: The information contained on TheSpread.com website is protected by international copyright and may not be reproduced, or redistributed in any way without expressed written consent.
About: TheSpread.com is the largest sports betting news site in the United States. We provide point spread news, odds, statistics and information to over 175 countries around the world each year. Our coverage includes all North American College and Professional Sports as well as entertainment, political and proposition wagering news.
©1999-2023 TheSpread.com