It took the oldest man in the Yankees rotation to get a win. Andy Pettitte twirled a gem, propelling the Yankees (38-29) over the Marlins (33-36) 5-1.
Quick ‘Cap:
The Yankees’ offense hit early and often, resulting in all five of their runs in the first three innings. Derek Jeter scored on Jorge Posada’s single after he led off the game with a ground-rule double. It took Angel Berroa 19 games—or 17 at bats, to be nicer—to capture his first double and RBI with the Yankees when he drove home Robinson Cano in the second inning.
Another unexpected RBI-double followed when Pettitte sliced a pitch down the left field line. Pettitte scored on Johnny Damon’s single after Jeter slugged his second hit. Melky Cabrera put the cherry on the cake with a solo shot in the third. All five runs came off a pitcher they had never seen before, Sean West – quite contrary to my post earlier in the day.
Pettitte gave up his one and only run in the third when Cody Ross homered. Besides that, Pettitte pitched brilliantly. He scattered three hits over seven innings, and tied his season-high of seven strikeouts. Also, the bullpen pitched in two more shutout innings, which adds up to 14-1/3 consecutive scoreless frames for the ‘pen. Full box score here.
Thoughts:
There was never any doubt about this game. Not the way Pettitte was pitching, and the way the bats were going. A spotless win, other than a meaningless throwing error by Jeter in the fourth. Andy hey, it was only his third error, and it’s already June 19.
Line of the Night: (It’s new, and it could be a good or bad line.)
Pettitte: 7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K (I’d say it was a good line tonight.)
Up Next:
Saturday night’s game features two right-handed flamethrowers. A.J. Burnett (5-3, 4.46) vs. Josh Johnson (6-1, 2.76). Should be a good one.
