Yankees at Mets
Gary Sanchez is reminding many why he was a contender in the Home Run Derby last month by going deep in back-to-back contests and four times during his seven-game hitting streak. The 24-year-old Dominican hopes his red-hot bat won't cool off as his New York Yankees take the short trek to Queens to continue their four-game Subway Series against the New York Mets on Wednesday.
Sanchez, who belted a solo homer and added a sacrifice fly in Tuesday's 5-4 victory, is 11-for-25 with seven RBIs and six runs scored during his hitting streak. Jacoby Ellsbury also went deep for the second time in three outings as he attempts to work his way out of his post-All-Star Game blues for the Yankees, who rebounded after losing three of four to win two straight and remain within 4 1/2 games of American League East-leading Boston. The Mets likely aren't concerning themselves about the standings, and their recent play would indicate as much. They are 4-8 in their last 12 games overall and 4-10 in their last 14 encounters against the Yankees.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, YES (Yankees), SNY (Mets)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH Jaime Garcia (5-8, 4.50 ERA) vs. Mets RH Robert Gsellman (5-5, 6.16)
Garcia has followed a three-game winning streak with two different teams with an 0-1 mark in two outings since being acquired by the Yankees. The 31-year-old surrendered a pair of homers and allowed three runs on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings of a no-decision versus Boston on Friday. Garcia will look to secure his first win with the Yankees when he faces the Mets, against whom he has dropped both decisions this season despite striking out a season-high nine batters in a 2-1 setback on June 11.
Sidelined since June 27 due to a strained left hamstring, Gsellman was activated from the disabled list on Tuesday and will get the nod in favor of injured right-hander Seth Lugo (right shoulder impingement). The 24-year-old Gsellman showed he's ready to return after tossing six shutout innings in a rehab outing with Double-A Binghamton. Gsellman posted a 1-0 mark with a 2.92 ERA in four rehab starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Yankees RF Aaron Judge has fanned at least once in 32 consecutive contests, tying the major-league single-season record for consecutive games striking out by a non-pitcher (Adam Dunn, 2012).
2. Mets LF Yoenis Cespedes has three homers, six RBIs and four runs scored during his five-game hitting streak.
3. Yankees LF Brett Gardner is 3-for-31 with 11 strikeouts in his last eight games.