Yankees' Nova improves in June thanks to extra work

The Yankees scored five runs or more in each of Ivan Nova's first 10 starts, providing plenty of run support for the 25-year-old as he jumped out to a 6-2 start despite a 5.60 ERA.

Nova recognized that his performance did not match his record, so he dedicated himself to do what was necessary to straighten himself out. Nova put in extra work in the bullpen with Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild after his ugly win in Anaheim on May 30, and the results have been more than anybody could have hoped for.

Nova held the Nationals to one run on seven hits Sunday, striking out four while walking one to pick up his fifth consecutive win. Since the calendar flipped to June, Nova is 3-0 with a 0.80 ERA, surrendering only two runs over 22 2/3 innings.

"We feel that he has that type of stuff; he has two breaking balls, a changeup, a good fastball," manager Joe Girardi said. "He gets a lot of ground balls, he can get double plays and strike people out. We think the ceiling is pretty high for this kid. It comes down to location; when he makes his pitches, he's really good."

Nova gave up a home run by Adam LaRoche in the second inning, then found himself in a first-and-third, one-out jam in the fourth after LaRoche led off the inning with a double. Nova induced a 4-6-3 double play by Danny Espinosa to escape the jam. Nova threw a four-pitch inning in the sixth and never looked back as the Yankees added to their lead, finishing the sweep with a 4-1 win.

"I think the work that I've been putting in, the focus that I've been doing, I've been working really, really hard," Nova said. "I made really good pitches. I got ground balls when I need it. We've been working hard to make it better, so I feel really, really good about the way I've been throwing the ball so far."