Toronto Blue Jays 2 — New York Yankees 4
Andy Pettitte looked good on his return from the disabled list in today’s 4-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays to start the doubleheader.
Originally, Andy Pettitte was scheduled to make his return yesterday but due to rain, his start was pushed back today. In 5 innings, the veteran left-hander gave up just 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3 and not allowing a run. In the 3rd inning, a play in which Nick Swisher had 2 errors, put runners on the corners with just 1 out but Pettitte got the timely double play and escaped the jam, picking up his defense. It was reported that he would be limited to between 70-75 pitches and his final inning required just 7 pitches, ending his first start with exactly 75 pitches. Derek Lowe, Joba Chamberlain, and Boone Logan put together 2 solid innings and David Robertson was called on for the 8th inning. Robertson’s inning was not smooth as he lasted just 0.2 of an inning. Three consecutive hits created a bad situation and after one strikeout, another base hit would put the potential tying run at 3rd. Robertson got one more out before Rafael Soriano was called on for a 4-out save, his 5th of the season. After a walk, Soriano would get Rajai Davis to lineout to Ichiro Suzuki in left field as he made a basket catch to end the 8th. Rafael Soriano would get an additional run to work with before he returned to the mound and would have a clean 9th inning with 2 strikeouts for his 41st save of the season.
The Yankees got to starter Henderson Alvarez early. To start the game, Ichiro Suzuki and Nick Swisher would get on base with 2 singles, then with runners in scoring position, Robinson Cano would come through with a double to bring in Ichiro. Alex Rodriguez would ground out to bring in a run and Curtis Granderson would bring in another run on a sacrifice fly to give Andy Pettitte an early 3-run lead. Alvarez would settle down against the Yankees and keep them off the scoreboard the rest of his 7 innings of work. With their lead cut down to 1, a ground-rule double by Ichiro Suzuki was followed by a rocket single that Brett Lawrie couldn’t handle and the 2-run lead was enough to get the Yankees the first win of 2 games today. The Yankees made the most of the opportunities with runners in scoring position as they went 2 for 3 and this was also a win without a home run, the 6th win of that kind this season.
Win – Andy Pettitte (4-3)
Loss – Henderson Alvarez (9-13)
Save – Rafael Soriano (41)
Notables
Blue Jays
*Omar Vizquel – 2 for 4, 2B, RBI (7)
*Kelly Johnson – 1 for 1, RBI (51)
Yankees
*Robinson Cano – 2 for 4, R, 2B, RBI (78)
*Ichiro Suzuki – 3 for 4, 2 R, 2B
Current Yankees Record: 84-63
