May 4 Preview..."Igawa looks to continue Yanks' roll"

By Caleb Breakey / MLB.com


Kei Igawa took the role of savior for the Yankees in his last "start." That's just it -- Igawa didn't start. He pitched six innings of scoreless relief after right-hander Jeff Karstens was lifted from the game after being hit by a line drive on the game's first pitch.

Igawa's performance coming out of the bullpen rekindled faith in him after a rough start to the season. The 27-year-old left-hander will make his fifth start of the season against the Mariners on Friday at Yankee Stadium.

Last year he went 14-9 with a 2.97 ERA in 29 starts for the Hanshin Tigers. But Igawa comes into Friday's game with a 2-1 record and 6.08 ERA and a chance to give the Yankees their fourth straight win.

Igawa is in the first year of a five-year contract he signed with the Yankees on Dec. 27. He was the eighth Japanese-born pitcher to make his Major League debut as a starter.
The Mariners send Cha Seung Baek to the mound after an impressive performance against the Royals. He is 0-0 with a 4.22 ERA in two starts this season.

Pitching matchup

NYY: LHP Kei Igawa (2-1, 6.08 ERA)Igawa has fared better at Yankee Stadium than on the road this season. In three appearances in the Bronx, Igawa has posted a 2-0 record and a 4.76 ERA. He has 19 strikeouts to lead the team and 13 walks on the year.

SEA: RHP Cha Seung Baek (0-0, 4.22 ERA)Baek makes his third start because of an injury to
Mariners ace Felix Hernandez. In his last start Baek shut down the Royals on four hits and one run over 6 1/3 innings in a Mariners win. He left the game with a no-decision, walking two and striking out six. Baek has faced the Yankees once in his career, giving up three runs in five innings in 2006.

Player to watchIchiro

Suzuki has hit the Yankees hard in his career. In 215 at-bats against pinstriped pitchers, Ichiro has batted .321 with four home runs, eight doubles and 20 RBIs. He's also run quite a bit against them, swiping 12 bases.