New York Yankees

New York Yankees

Ivan Nova said his awful second inning boiled down to two things: bad pitches and bad decisions.

“I don’t want to have innings like that,” he said.

Joe Girardi would probably second that thought. So would Larry Rothschild.

The second inning was a disaster for the young right-hander.

It started when Nova allowed back-to-back singles to Jason Bay and Fernando Martinez.Both runners advanced on a Justin Turner groundout.

Bay then scored on a Willie Harris single up the middle. Martinez followed him home onRonny Paulino’s groundout to Nova.

Jason Pridie topped things off with an RBI single to right.

In all, Nova allowed three runs on four hits (all singles).

To his credit, the 24-year-old settled down after that, scattering seven hits in his final 4 2/3 innings of work. He gave up just one extra-base hit all afternoon.

“I like that I fought,” he said.

Nova was pulled after allowing a two-out double to Carlos Beltran in the seventh. RelieverLuis Ayala came on to retire Jason Bay.

Ayala earned the win after the Yankees exploded for eight runs in the seventh.

Sunday’s outing was the third no-decision for Nova, who set a career-high in hits (11) and pitches (110). It also marked the sixth time in nine starts that he’s allowed six runs or fewer.

Afterward, he said that he appreciated Larry Rothschild and Joe Girardi sticking with him through the tumultuous second.

“I like the confidence they showed in me,” he said.