Angels at Yankees
The Los Angeles have not lost a series on the road this season, a streak that could end when they continue their three-game set against the New York Yankees on Saturday night. Rookie sensation Gleyber Torres provided the decisive blow with a tiebreaking home run in the seventh inning to power the Yankees to a 2-1 victory in the series opener.
Torres became the youngest player in American League history to homer in four consecutive games as New York won for the 14th time in its last 16 at Yankee Stadium. Owners of the second-best record in the majors, the Yankees (32-15) will add another key bat to the lineup with first baseman Greg Bird expected to be activated off the disabled list Saturday to make his season debut. Despite Friday's loss, the Angels are 16-6 away from home, but they have scored a combined six runs in losing all four meetings to New York this season. Mike Trout provided the lone run Friday with his 16th home run, but he is 7-for-34 with three blasts against Sonny Gray, the Yankees' scheduled starter Saturday.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, Fox
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jaime Barria (3-1, 2.13 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Sonny Gray (3-3, 5.48)
Barria was sent to Triple-A Salt Lake after his last start on May 15 despite holding Houston to one run and four hits over seven innings in a no-decision. The 21-year-old rookie from Panama, who will be recalled for Saturday's start, has permitted a total of six runs over his five outings and yielded one homer, that coming in his season debut. Barria is 2-0 with an 0.87 ERA in two road starts.
Gray turned in his best performance of the campaign Sunday to earn the victory in Kansas City, working a season-high eight innings and limiting Kansas City to one run and four hits. It was his second victory in three outings and third quality start in four tries after recording only one in his first five turns. Gray has made 14 appearances (13 starts) against Los Angeles, going 5-3 with a 3.21 ERA.
WALK-OFFS
1. Torres has nine RBIs during his four-game homer streak.
2. Angels C Rene Rivera will miss four to six weeks after undergoing knee surgery Friday.
3. Yankees RF Aaron Judge threw out two runners Friday to help the team notch its ninth one-run win.