Yankees 11, Angels 5: Jeter, Cano Power New York Past Los Angeles

After scoring six runs combined in their first two games against the Los Angeles Angels, the New York Yankees were still awaiting the arrival of their offense.

Sunday night, the Yankees (5-4) finally found their bats, riding two hits apiece from Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano, Mark Teixeira and Raul Ibanez to an 11-5 win over the Angels (3-6) at Yankee Stadium on Jackie Robinson Day. Ivan Nova took the mound for his second start of the season, allowing eight hits and four runs in 6.0 innings of work. Nova struck out eight batters while walking just two, and his ERA now lies at 4.15 for the season.

The win brings the Yankees into a three-way tie with the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the American League East.

Los Angeles sent Jerome Williams to the mound, but he last just 2.2 innings as the Yankees pounced early with one run in the second inning and four in the third. After Angels designated hitter Mark Trumbo homered off Nova in the second, the Yankees responded as Ibanez singled home Cano in the second half of the frame, after the second baseman hit a single of his own. Hisanori Takahashi came in for Williams and pitched two innings in relief.

Nova struck out the side in the third, and then the Yankees needed just three hits to score their four third-inning runs. Brett Gardner walked and Jeter doubled him to third before a groundout by Curtis Granderson advanced both, scoring Gardner. Alex Rodriguez singled home Jeter, and and after Cano walked, Teixeira doubled to right. A sacrifice fly from Nick Swisher then brought Cano home from third base.

Los Angeles went 1-2-3 again in the top of the fourth, and then Jeter put three more runs on the board with a homer that also scored Russell Martin and Gardner. Jeter went 2-for-5, raising his batting average to a team-high .366.

In the fifth, a Chris Iannetta homer brought the Angels to within 8-3. One inning later, a double from Maicer Izturis scored Trumbo, who had walked one at-bat prior.

Two innings later, Rafael Soriano came in for Nova. Three batters later, Albert Pujols singled home Erick Aybar and Howie Kendrick, making the score 8-5. Pujols went 1-for-5 on the night, bringing his average to .243.

In the bottom of the seventh, Cano singled and then stole second before scoring on a single by Swisher. Jason Isringhausen was brought in for David Carpenter, who pitched two innings. His first batter was Ibanez, who hammered a sinker on a 2-1 count 415 feet to the upper deck in right field, scoring Swisher and extending New York's lead to 11-5.

David Robertson came in for Soriano at the beginning of the eighth, pitching 1.1 innings and allowing just one hit. Boone Logan then pitched the ninth, striking out the side with a walk to Torii Hunter in between.

See Pinstripe Alley for complete discussion and analysis of the Yankees.

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Andy Pettitte Update: Pettitte Pitches Four Scoreless Innings In Class A Game

Andy Pettitte appears to be on the fast track to return to the New York Yankees. The recently un-retired left-hander took another big step in his comeback on Sunday, pitching four scoreless innings for the Class A Tampa Yankees.

The Trentonian's Trenton Thunder beat writer, Josh Norris, reported that a scout in attendance said Pettitte, 39, ""looks ready, but just needs to be stretched out."

Pettitte retired after the 2010 season, during which he went 11-3 with a 3.28 ERA and made the American League All-Star Team. He decided this spring, however, to return to the Yankees.

Pettitte is expected to be ready sometime in May, barring any physical setbacks. Once he returns he will rejoin the Yankees starting rotation, meaning one of the current five starters will be bumped. Phil Hughes, hit hard in a loss on Saturday, is currently the most likely candidate to be dropped from the rotation.

Andy Pettitte Update: Pettitte Pitches Four Scoreless Innings At Class A

Andy Pettitte appears to be on the fast track to return to the New York Yankees. The recently un-retired left-hander took another big step in his comeback on Sunday, pitching four scoreless innings for the Class A Tampa Yankees.

The Trentonian's Trenton Thunder beat writer, Josh Norris, reported that a scout in attendance said Pettitte, 39, ""looks ready, but just needs to be stretched out."

Pettitte retired after the 2010 season, during which he went 11-3 with a 3.28 ERA and made the American League All-Star Team. He decided this spring, however, to return to the Yankees.

Pettitte is expected to be ready sometime in May, barring any physical setbacks. Once he returns he will rejoin the Yankees starting rotation, meaning one of the current five starters will be bumped. Phil Hughes, hit hard in a loss on Saturday, is currently the most likely candidate to be dropped from the rotation.

Time Running Out To Save Phil Hughes' Yankees Legacy

There was a time when Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy were the future of the Yankees rotation. Instead, none have panned out. The most disappointing of which has been Hughes.

Yankees (4-4) Vs. Angels (3-5) Preview: Game Time, TV Schedule, Probable Pitchers

The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels will play Sunday night at Yankee Stadium, on ESPN, in the rubber match of a three-game series. The Yanks took game one behind a great performance from Hiroki Kuroda, who earned his first win in the pinstripes. A day later, the Angels knocked Phil Hughes around, taking game two.

Sunday's pitching match-up is scheduled to be Ivan Nova vs. Jerome Williams. Williams, the 30-year-old veteran, will be making his first start of the season. The Angels activated him from the disabled list on Saturday. Nova will look to build on his brilliant performance in his first start of the season, when he went seven innings and struck out seven in a winning effort.

Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees needs one home run to pass Ken Griffey Jr. for fifth place on the all-time home run list.

The game will be televised on ESPN and ESPN3. First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. EST.

See Pinstripe Alley for complete discussion and analysis of the Yankees.

Phil Hughes: A Career Going In The Wrong Direction?

Angels 7, Yankees 1: Hughes Rocked As Yankees Lose

The New York Yankees lost to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Saturday, by a final score of 7-1. Phil Hughes (0-2) got knocked around in his second start of the season. He lasted only 3.1 innings, surrendered eight hits and six earned runs.

"It's tough," Hughes said. "I came into camp, I felt good with my stuff throughout camp and things just haven't gone the way I would have liked. I just have to keep working hard and get things right.

"I feel like I can succeed in this league. It's something that I've done before and hopefully that I can do again. That sort of helps."

Rookie pitcher David Phelps – who came in for Hughes in the fourth – performed well in his first extended action of his career. Coming into Saturday's action, Phelps had only pitched three innings in his MLB career. Saturday, he pitched 5.1 innings in relief, allowing only one run and striking out four.

FanGraphs ranked Phelps as the Yankees 12th best prospect coming into this season. The 25-year-old pitched 107 innings in Triple A last season, recording six wins and 90 strikeouts.

C.J. Wilson (2-0) pitched six solid innings to get the victory for Anaheim. The Yankees are 4-4 on the season, while the Angels are 3-5.

The series concludes on Sunday at 8:05 p.m. ET. Ivan Nova (1-0) pitches for the Yankees and Jerome Williams pitches for Anaheim.

See Pinstripe Alley for complete discussion and analysis of the Yankees.

Yankees Vs. Angels Preview: Pitching Matchup, Game Time, TV Schedule

The New York Yankees look to extend a four-game winning streak on Saturday when they play the second leg of their home series with the Los Angeles Angels.

Phil Hughes will take the mound for the Yankees against C.J. Wilson for the Angels. Hughes lost his first start of the season on April 8 when he pitched 4.2 innings against the Tampa Bay Rays, giving up two runs and five hits while striking out five.

New York started the Los Angeles series with a thorough 5-0 beatdown of the Angels. Hiroki Kuroda pitched eight-plus shutout innings and Alex Rodriguez drilled a solo home run to tie Ken Griffey Jr. for fifth on baseball's career home runs list.

See Pinstripe Alley for complete discussion and analysis of the Yankees.

Yankees 5, Angels 0: Kuroda, Swisher, Rodriguez Carry New York In Home Opener

Hiroki Kuroda pitched eight-plus shutout innings, Nick Swisher drove in three runs and Alex Rodriguez homered to tie Ken Griffey Jr. for fifth on the all-time home run list as the Yankees defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Friday in New York's home opener, 5-0.

Kuroda, acquired as a free agent in the offseason, had admitted to being worried about his first-ever start in Yankee Stadium. He needn't have fretted over it. He allowed only five hits in his eight-plus innings.

Swisher gave Kuroda and the Yankees (4-3) all the runs they would need with a bases-loaded double in the first inning, staking the Yankees to a 3-0 lead. Rodriguez hit the 630th home run of his career, tying Griffey Jr., in the third inning. The blast went into Monument Park and came off Ervin Santana. Rodriguez, moved to third in the lineup from his customary fourth spot, had three hits in the game.

Curtis Granderson also homered for the Yankees.

The teams play again Saturday (1:05 p.m. ET) with Phil Hughes (0-1) pitching against C.J. Wilson (1-0).

Alex Rodriguez Ties Ken Griffey Jr. On MLB Career Home Runs List

Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr. have been linked to each other since the two were young star teammates with the Seattle Mariners. Now, they're tied for fifth place on the MLB career home run list.

Rodriguez hit a solo blast Friday during the third inning of the New York Yankees' home opener against the Los Angeles Angels to tie Griffey with 630 career home runs. Next in Rodriguez' path stands Willie Mays, who had 660 home runs.

Barry Bonds has the Major League record with 762 home runs, seven more than Hank Aaron (755). Babe Ruth is in third place with 714.

See Pinstripe Alley for complete discussion and analysis of the Yankees.

Yankees Vs. Angels 4/13 Preview: New York Ready For Home Opener

The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim meet for three games beginning Friday at Yankee Stadium.