Nationals at Yankees
The New York Yankees have relieved heavily on homers of late, with 20 of their last 22 runs scored courtesy of the long ball. After Didi Gregorius recorded his third multi-homer performance of the season in the opener, the Yankees (43-19) vie for a sweep of the abbreviated two-game interleague series versus the visiting Washington Nationals (36-28) on Wednesday.
Gregorius is batting .313 over his last 12 games after belting a pair of solo homers in Tuesday's 3-0 triumph for New York, which has won 10 of 12 overall and 18 of its last 22 at home. The Yankees' bullpen pushed its scoreless innings streak to 21 2/3 innings with 3 1/3 spotless frames in the opener, lowering its ERA to a majors-best 0.63 in 42 2/3 innings over the last 14 games. New York's fourth shutout this season resulted in the second time in as many games that Washington has been blanked, with the latter collecting just eight hits in the process. Manager Dave Martinez said Bryce Harper is expected to be fine after the 2015 National League Most Valuable Player was hit in the elbow and foot by a pair of pitches in Tuesday's tilt.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN, MASN (Washington), YES (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Erick Fedde (0-1, 4.76 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Sonny Gray (4-4, 4.81)
Multiple media outlets reported that Fedde is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to replace fellow right-hander Stephen Strasburg, who was shuffled to the disabled list on Sunday with an ailing shoulder. The 25-year-old allowed three runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings to take the loss against San Diego on May 23 in his lone spot start with the Nationals. Fedde has a 3-2 mark with a 4.76 ERA in 56 2/3 innings with Syracuse this season.
Gray was saddled with a no-decision on Wednesday despite retiring the first 12 batters he faced while scattering two hits and striking out eight over eight scoreless innings against Toronto. The 28-year-old has recorded quality starts in three of his last four trips to the mound. Gray has limited the current crop of Nationals to just a .219 batting average against him, although the hurler has yet to pick up a decision in two career starts versus the club.
WALK-OFFS
1. New York manager Aaron Boone said slumping C Gary Sanchez, who is mired in a 4-for-53 stretch with 18 strikeouts, is expected to sit out his second straight game on Wednesday.
2. Washington CF Adam Eaton has hit safely in both games since being activated from the 60-day disabled list.
3. The Yankees are expected to call up Jonathan Loaisiga to replace fellow RHP Masahiro Tanaka to start either Thursday or Friday's game against Tampa Bay.