Nova: Tonight's going to be a good night

Ivan Nova (1-0), 4.30) is coming off his best--and poorest--outing. He pitched four scoreless innings and had a 6-0 lead againt Tampa Bay last Tuesday until falling apart in the ffifth inning. He was charged with six runs and had no decision as the Yankees won. 8-7, on Jorge Posada's pinch-hit home run.

Nova's talking a good game against the Rays, who open a four-game series this evening  at Yankee Stadium. Now, the rookie just has to go out and back up his words. 

Nova's earned run average in the fifth inning is 18.69, strongly suggesting that he isn't fooling anyone the second time around in the batting order.

``I know the guys now, I know how to pitch them now,'' Nova told E-Boland on Sunday. ``Tomorrow is going to be a good day.'' 

Tomorrow is tonight.