Andy Pettitte (5-5, 4.20 ERA) hopes to win the series tonight facing off against Justin Grimm (6-5, 5.57 ERA) in game two. Pettitte was frustrated with his command after his last start on Thursday against the Rays, something he will want to improve upon tonight. “I just need to be better,” Pettitte said after. “I need to shut these guys down once in a while and give us a chance to score first one time instead of always being in a hole. And I feel like I’m putting us in a hole every time out right now.” Over his last 2 starts, he has allowed nine combined runs, both of which were losses.
On Wednesday, Grimm ended a two game losing streak with his sixth win of the season, allowing three runs on three hits in five innings. This is his first career game versus the Yankees. In seven road starts this season he is 2-3 with a 7.01 ERA. “I just need to watch Darvish pitch tonight, first,” Grimm said on Tuesday. “Just go at ’em, basically. Be competitive, be myself. Stay within myself. It is my first time pitching at Yankee Stadium, I’m pretty excited about that, but for me, it’s just another start against a very good team.”
Yesterdays win was the Yanks third in four games, and ended the Rangers’ five game winning streak. “They are the New York Yankees,” Rangers manager Ron Washington said. “When they put on that uniform, they still expect to win. They may be lacking in some areas, but they still find a way to win. They pitch, they catch the ball and when they have a lead, they know how to shut it down.”
Notes on the game.
Brett Gardner has 22 home runs in his career. The Yankees are 19-3 in those games.
Mark Teixeira could be facing season ending surgery after having his wrist evaluated by team doctors on Tuesday. He didn’t respond well to a cortisone injection he received on June 16.
Pettitte and Rangers DH Lance Berkman have played a combined 33 seasons, including three as teammates with the Astros. They have only faced each other in one regular season game, in 2010 when the Astros played the Yankees. Berkman went 0-for-3.
Pettitte needs just seven more strikeouts to pass Whitey Ford on the Yankees all time list.
Game kicks off at 7:05 PM (EST) on Yes and ESPN
