Game Thread: Mets(21-23) vs Yankees(26-17)

Mets(courtesy of mlb.com)

“I wish I could pitch every day, but that’s not the case — I can’t,” Santana said. “We’re going through a tough time with some injuries and stuff, but we have to keep playing the game. And every time we’re out there, I’m trying to help.”

A win would help. In his last start, Santana pitched well but came away with a no-decision for a third straight outing. A two-run home run by Troy Glaus in the third inning was the only damage the Braves could muster against Santana over seven innings on Tuesday at Turner Field, but those runs were enough. The Venezuela native has not won since pitching six scoreless innings against the Dodgers on April 27. He gave up nine runs in three innings last year in the Bronx, his most recent meeting with the Yankees.

The teams split the first two games of the Subway Series.

“I think a game like this will bring a lot of intensity to the field and to the game, but other than that, it’s just another game on my schedule that I have to go out there and perform and to help my team,” Santana said. “It has been tough for us sometimes out there, but we still have to keep playing, and I’m going to approach every game the same way — just trying to help out as much as I can.”

Overall, Santana is 4-2 with a 4.40 ERA in 11 career games against the Yankees. He’s 3-1 with a 3.19 ERA this year at Citi Field. The two aces have squared off four times dating back to Santana’s days with the Twins and Sabathia’s time in Cleveland. Sabathia is 3-1 against Santana since they first faced each other 2006.

“I’ve faced CC before, when I used to be with Minnesota, and now it’s going to be exciting — it’s going to be a great matchup,” Santana said. “It’s going to be fun and obviously at times it’s going to be challenging.”

Jason Bay extended his home hitting streak to 14 games in Saturday’s 5-3 win. He’s 22-for-52 during that stretch. … Saturday’s winning pitcher, Mike Pelfrey, has both wins earned by Mets starters this month, and he has six wins for the season. Pelfrey had never collected six wins before July in his career. … Raul Valdes will likely receive the start in R.A. Dickey‘s place on Tuesday against the Phillies. Dickey could be headed to the bullpen. … Mets infielder Alex Cora delivered a pinch-hit RBI single in the sixth inning on Saturday, his first such hit since April 11 at Florida. According to the Mets’ postgame notes, Cora is believed to be the first player in Major League history to spend the entire half-inning before his pinch-hit appearance being interviewed on national TV.

Lineup

Jose Reyes, SS

Alex Cora, 2B

Jason Bay, LF

Ike Davis, 1B

David Wright, 3B

Angel Pagan, CF

Rod Barajas, C

Jeff Francoeur, RF

Johan Santana, LHP

Yankees(courtesy of mlb.com)

As for Sabathia, the left-hander took a no-decision on Tuesday after the Yankees’ bullpen was unable to capitalize on his seven innings of one-run, four-hit ball against the Red Sox in what became a 7-6 loss. He’s also looking to get back into the win column. The lefty hasn’t logged a victory since May 3 against the Orioles but is 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA in two career starts against the Mets, including a win on June 26 at Citi Field last season.

Sabathia has beaten Santana in each of their past three meetings, all during a one-month stretch from Aug. 3 to Sept. 3, 2007.

“You’ve just got to go out and try to put up zeros — try to match him,” Sabathia said. “It could be a game where we both give up six. Who knows?”

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that it is “way too early to tell” if Javier Vazquez, who left Friday’s start with a bruised right index finger, will be able to make his next scheduled start, on Thursday against the Twins. … Francisco Cervelli improved to 12-for-21 with runners in scoring position with his RBI single in the sixth inning on Saturday. … Friday marked the Yankees’ first one-run win of the season. The club is 1-4 overall in one-run games, the fewest played by any Major League team this year.

Lineup

Derek Jeter, SS

Brett Gardner, CF

Mark Teixeira, 1B

Alex Rodriguez, 3B

Robinson Cano, 2B

Nick Swisher, RF

Francisco Cervelli, C

Kevin Russo, LF

CC Sabathia, LHP

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