(Sports Network) - CC Sabathia has won 14 straight decisions at Yankee Stadium and he will try to add to that streak today, as the New York Yankees wrap up a three-game set with the Seattle Mariners in the Bronx.
Since the 2009 All-Star break, Sabathia has gone 14-0 with a 2.27 ERA at Yankee Stadium, and New York is 17-2 in his home starts during that time period as well. The streak is the longest by a Yankee since Ron Guidry captured 16 consecutive home wins from 1985-86.
On Tuesday, Sabathia became the first AL pitcher to reach 16 wins, as he allowed two runs and five hits over seven innings of a 6-2 triumph over Detroit. He fanned nine while improving to 12-2 with a 2.45 ERA over his last 15 outings.
In 16 career starts versus Seattle, the left-hander has gone 8-4 with a 2.72 ERA. He has won both his starts against the Mariners this season, allowing just two earned runs over 15 innings of work.
Sabathia needs to be on top of his game today, as New York will be without star third basement Alex Rodriguez, who was placed on the DL yesterday with calf injury.
While Rodriguez is one the best players in baseball, the Yankees have done just fine without him in the lineup. As a matter of fact, New York is a perfect 11-0 without Rodriguez and that includes a 9-5 victory yesterday over Seattle in the second portion of a three-game set at Yankee Stadium.
Mark Teixeira's sacrifice fly capped a three-run seventh inning, helping New York separate from the Mariners.Robinson Cano hit a two-run single and Jorge Posada added a two-run homer in a productive first inning for the Yankees, who were shut out in the series opener and won for the fourth time in their last five games.
The Yankees maintained a one-game lead over Tampa Bay in the American League East standings after theRays beat Oakland later on Saturday.
New York starting pitcher Javier Vazquez lasted just three-plus innings, allowing four runs on eight hits. Chad Gaudin limited the Mariners to one hit in three innings of relief, while Boone Logan (1-0) tossed a flawless seventh to pick up the win. Mariano Rivera recorded his 25th save despite allowing a run in the ninth on a fielder's choice.
"I'll just keep working," Vazquez said. "It's a little frustrating because when you go out there you want to get deep in the game and pitch good. But the way I'm pitching, behind the count and not locating well, that's what happens."
Ichiro Suzuki homered to leadoff both the game and the third for Seattle, which also received a mammoth blast from Russell Branyan in the first.
Jason Vargas (9-6) gave up seven runs on eight hits in 6 1/3 innings. He had won his last three starts.
"In between the first and the seventh that's probably as well as I've seen him throw," Seattle manager Daren Brown said. "I thought we swung the bats pretty well."
Getting the call today for Seattle is Luke French, who is making his fourth start since being recalled from the minors on July 28th. The left-hander was sharp in his Tuesday start, allowing just three hits over 7 2/3 shutout innings of a 4-0 victory over Baltimore.
In four career appearances -- two starts -- versus New York, French has gone 0-1 with a 2.35 ERA. He made a relief appearance against the Yankees on July 9th and surrendered one run in three innings.
New York has won five of nine meetings with Seattle this season.