Yanks seek to start new road streak

Friday night’s loss to the Mets at Citi Field ended the Yankees’ road winning streak at seven, their longest such stretch since they won eight in a row June 24-July 9, 2009. The five runs they allowed in the first inning was the most they have allowed in the opening inning of a game since July 14 last year when the Blue Jays scored eight runs (three earned) off Bartolo Colon in a 16-7 Toronto victory.

The Elias Sports Bureau reported that the Yankees became the last team in the majors to allow more than four runs in any inning this season. It was only the third time in Andy Pettitte’s 487 regular-season starts that he allowed at least five runs in the first inning. The other times were Sept. 4, 2001 at Toronto – five runs – and Aug. 21, 1995 at Oakland – six runs.

Clay Rapada’s impressive stretch of 21 consecutive batters held hitless was ended in the eighth inning when Mets second baseman Justin Turner doubled. Rapada has set down each of the past 16 left-handed batters he has faced and has limited lefty swingers to a .137 batting average in 51 at-bats for the season with just two extra-base hits, one double and one home run.

The Yankees’ 27 errors this season are the fewest in the majors. They also lead the majors with a .989 fielding percentage. In Joe Girardi’s term as manager since 2008, the Yankees have combined for a .986 fielding percentage, the best in the American League and second in the majors only to the Phillies’ .989.

Ivan Nova entered Saturday night’s start with a 12-game winning streak on the road. The club record for consecutive road victories is 15. It was set over the 1936 and ’37 seasons by Monte Pearson and tied over the 1948 and ’49 seasons by Allie Reynolds. Russ Ford of the old New York Highlanders won 13 straight road decisions over the 1910 and ’11 seasons.