NEW YORK (AP) — Ivan Nova has left his start for the New York Yankees in the deciding Game 5 of the AL division series Thursday night after just two innings because of a tight right forearm.
The rookie right-hander gave up back-to-back homers in the first to Detroit’s Don Kelly and Delmon Young and a leadoff double to Magglio Ordonez in the second. He threw 24 of his 31 pitches for strikes and struck out three.
The Yankees had used four relievers by the middle innings, including ace CC Sabathia. The big lefty made his first relief appearance in 421 professional appearances, 370 in the major leagues.
Phil Hughes, who started warming up with none out in the second, pitched 1 1-3 scoreless innings, and Boone Logan got two outs. Rafael Soriano relieved Sabathia in the sixth.
Nova earned the win in the rain-interrupted series opener with 6 1-3 stellar innings.
