On Tuesday, the Columbus Clippers put their new right-handed pitcher out to the mound for his first start with them. They expected a good game from him in a big game against the Norfolk Tides. He wound up going six and two-thirds innings gaining the win. This new pitcher for the Yankees AAA Minor League Affiliate was Jose Contreras.

Contreras went six and two-thirds innings, allowing three runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out seven, gaining the win in a 4-3 victory over the Norfolk Tides on Tuesday. Contreras’ start was his first since being sent down from the Yankees last week.

Contreras had a tough start with the Yankees this year and many fans were upset with him. He was sent down to Single-A Tampa to work with pitching coach Billy Connors and then came up to Triple-A Columbus to play for the Clippers. The reason he was sent down from the Yankees was that he had a 9.47 ERA after five starts and pitched poorly in all of them.

He was sent down after he gave up 7 runs over 2 innings of work against Oakland last Tuesday. Although the Yankees do not have a starter assigned yet for Saturday’s game, General Manager Brian Cashman said he wants to see Contreras have more time with Columbus before he brings him up.

Having Contreras in Triple-A ball does indeed hurt the Yankees however. The Yankees thought that they had a good quality started in Donovan Osborne and that he would be able to fill the five spot in the Yankee rotation. But that fell through after he gave up six runs in one and a third innings pitched last week.

The Yankees would like to see Contreras have success in Columbus before they bring him back up. They want him to develop his pitches and gain more control over them. But after a good outing on Tuesday, things looked brighter for Contreras after having such a bad start for the Yankees.

 

Mike is a staff writer for NYYFans.com