Yankees ace Chien-Ming Wang sprinted to the front of the American League early this season. With a victory against Seattle on May 2, Wang became the first AL pitcher to reach the six-win mark.
But lately, the right-hander hasn't been able to move forward.
He's picked up two losses and four no-decisions in his six starts since the Seattle win, but his "W" column remains stuck. It's his longest career stretch without a victory, and Wang will look to reverse the streak Tuesday, when he faces Oakland.
His recent numbers don't reflect what the Yankees have come to expect from their ace. Wang has given up at least five runs in each of his last four starts, raising his ERA to 4.57. That number has gradually increased from 3.00 since May 2.
But manager Joe Girardi said he's not concerned that Wang's latest outings are any indication of his performance for the rest of the season. And the fact that the starter had a good throwing session Monday didn't change Girardi's mind-set.
"I'm not discouraged, so I don't really need any encouragement," he said. "I know he's going to be fine. He had a good bullpen, so I expect a good start from him [Tuesday]."
The Yankees' entire rotation has been a source of great interest lately. Joba Chamberlain's move from the bullpen generated a flood of attention, and the inconsistency of Wang and Andy Pettitte (5-5) has played a key factor in the inconsistency of the team as a whole.
"Our starting pitching there was in a little bit of a flux," starter Mike Mussina said. "Joba's still trying got get up to speed to be in full starter mode. And right now, Wang and Andy are struggling a little bit, so you've got to fight through these times and try to keep your head above water."
And Oakland might be the perfect chance for Wang to get back on the winning track. In 12 2/3 career innings against the A's, he has given up just two earned runs, and that's a number he'd like to maintain.
Pitching matchup
NYY: RHP Chien-Ming Wang (6-2, 4.57 ERA)
Wang has been struggling lately, going winless in his last six starts with a 6.45 ERA. Wang is 1-0 with a 1.42 ERA in two starts against Oakland, and the Yankees are hoping for similar results in the series opener, as pitching coach Dave Eiland continues to work with Wang on his recent mechanical problems.
OAK: LHP Dana Eveland (4-4, 3.82 ERA)
Eveland is coming off two consecutive starts in which he lasted just 4 1/3 innings. In his previous start against Detroit, he allowed three runs on three hits and a career-high seven walks while throwing 85 pitches in a no-decision. Before allowing 10 runs in his past two starts, Eveland had surrendered just six runs total over his first four starts in May.
Tidbits
Alex Rodriguez hit his 183rd career home run as a Yankee on Monday, tying Tommy Henrich for 18th place on the Yanks' all-time list. ... Catcher Jorge Posada had a scheduled day off Monday, though he did deliver a pinch-hit single in the eighth inning. Girardi said he plans to play Posada in at least the first two games of the three-game series at Oakland. ...Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong was in attendance Monday to participate in Metlife.com's countdown to the final regular-season game at Yankee Stadium.