Ivan Nova's 2011 Goals? 'Win, Win And Win' For Yankees
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- It may be premature to call him Ivan "Super" Nova, but the youngster showed grit, heart and lots of guts in the Yankees' 4-3 Monday night win over the Minnesota Twins.
Nova (1-0) earned the No. 4 spot in the rotation with an exceptional spring. The 24-year-old righty did fine over six innings in his season debut, too.
"You want to get off to a good start, you want to get through the sixth, and he did exactly that," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.
"He's got a strong belief in himself," pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. "That's going to help him get where he wants to go."
Nova started out like a poised vet, striking out leadoff man Denard Span on three pitches. He held the Twins hitless until Justin Morneau doubled in the fourth. Jim Thome lined a two-run double later in the inning — it was the first hit of the year for the 40-year-old DH, now in his 21st season.
"He goes after guys," Derek Jeter said of Nova.
Alexi Casilla and Tsuyoshi Nishioka doubled in the fifth, pulling the Twins within 4-3. Nova finished his outing by striking out Thome, and pumped his hand into his glove.
"That was emotional. That was the game," Nova's said about facing Thome in that situation. "When I faced him, I said, 'I've got to take you out right now.'"
Nova pitched well in 10 games for the Yankees last season, and has started this year with a new set of goals.
"Win, win and win," he said. "I'm looking forward to the next one."
How did Nova look to you on Monday night? Sound off in the comments below...
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