Nova Makes Solid Return in Loss, Leaving Yanks With Tough Decision James Loney had a two-run single in the seventh inning among his three hits. The bewildering twists and turns of Ivan Nova's season have taken him from the major league rotation to the minors to the bullpen and, finally, to a spot start on Old-Timers" Day. Sunday had begun as a celebration of past stars and memorable names, but for Nova, starting against the Tampa Bay Rays was an audition of sorts. Nova, who has been inconsistent this season, is seemingly pitching for his job nearly every time he takes the mound. On Sunday morning, Nova arrived in the Yankees" clubhouse and shook hands with several teammates he had not seen in almost a month because he had just returned from Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Nova would be making a quick return there unless he could do something Sunday to convince Yankees Manager Joe Girardi that he merited another chance. Even then, it might not be enough. The only reason Nova, who began the day with a 5.16 earned run average and had not started a game since April, was recalled was that the Yankees were forced to play a doubleheader Wednesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers after Tuesday's game was rained out. Nova's first inning was reminiscent of most of his outings this season. Matt Joyce led off with a single. He was sacrificed to second base by Desmond Jennings and scored on Ben Zobrist's single. Nova then walked Evan Longoria. Nova appeared to be on the brink of another implosion. But in an instant, Nova, with some deft glove work, managed to save his outing and perhaps his season, despite the Yankees" eventual 3-1 loss. The Rays had runners on first and second, one out and one run already in during that opening inning, when James Loney hit a line drive up the middle. But Nova snagged the ball and threw to second base to begin an inning-ending double play. From that moment, Nova became a different pitcher. He commanded his fastball, walked only two more batters and was quick and efficient. "I was pleased with what I saw," Girardi said. Girardi said the Yankees had not made a decision about where Nova would pitch next. But that decision must come soon. "You saw the way he pitched," Girardi said. He made it real hard. It was not until the seventh inning that Nova lost his command again. With two outs and the score tied, 1-1, he hit Jennings and Zobrist and was removed from the game. Reliever Boone Logan gave up a bases-loaded single to Loney for the deciding runs. But in the big picture, what Nova accomplished Sunday was immense. He had his longest outing of the season (six and two-thirds innings) and a season-high seven strikeouts. He was a vastly different pitcher from the one who was sent down to Scranton last month. "It wasn't easy to go back to AAA, but I also know that I wasn't pitching that good," Nova said. You don't want to get sent down, but once in a while, it helps in order to get back to where I need to be. Where this leaves Nova in the Yankees" plans is unclear. With a scheduled day off Monday, the Yankees will not have a need for Nova to start again this week. The Yankees are also eagerly awaiting the arrival of starter Michael Pineda (shoulder surgery), who is continuing his rehabilitation assignment in the minor leagues. Pineda, who gave up two runs in four innings for Class A Tampa on Thursday, must come off the disabled list in early July after his 30-day assignment ends. The Yankees can option Pineda to Scranton, which would create more competition for Nova. Another possibility is that Nova could start in place of the slumping Phil Hughes, who has a 5.40 E.R.A. in his last four starts. Hughes's next start was moved to Thursday, and Girardi did not discount that Hughes was also pitching for his job. "This is a game where you have to prove yourself over and over," Girardi said. Nova certainly complicated - in a positive way - the Yankees" plans. "I opened my own eyes," Nova said when asked if he thought he had impressed the Yankees. That got me a little bit more confidence in myself. This is a decision they'll make, and I have no control over it. Perhaps Nova could have been saved from a loss if not for the anemic Yankees offense. The Yankees managed only a run in the first against Tampa Bay starter Chris Archer. They had only three extra-base hits, two by the rookie Zoilo Almonte, who is hitting .583 (7 of 12) with two doubles, a home run and four runs batted in since making his major league debut Wednesday. Nova desperately wants to remain with the Yankees, even if it means continuing in a relief role. But Girardi said that Nova would not go back to the bullpen. Nova will stay in the rotation or return to the minors. "You don't want to be there, man," Nova said of the minors. You see old teammates who you played with in the minors, and you're happy to see them, but you don't want to be there.