Like he’s done so many times this season, Andy Pettitte stepped up when his team needed him most.
Staring a potential six game losing streak in the face, Pettitte tossed eight innings and allowed two runs while striking out seven to help the Yankees win 6-2 over the Angels. He’s now 11-2 following a Yankees loss this season, and 19-7 overall.
“It’s amazing,” said Darryl Strawberry, who was one of four Yankees to hit home runs tonight. “Every time he goes out there, you know he’s going to throw strikes, he’s going to be around the plate, he’s going to make them beat him with his pitches, not with making mistakes.” (Via NY Times)
Pettitte had a lead before he even took the mound. In the top of the first off Angels starter and knuckleballer Dennis Springer, New York put up a three-spot and set the tone for the game. Wade Boggs led off with a walk and moved to third on a Paul O’Neill double. Cecil Fielder brought Boggs home with a groundout, and then Tino Martinez cleared the bases with a two-run homer. Pettitte was able to take the mound and relax.
“They came out and scored three runs right away and that made it a lot easier,” said Pettitte (Via NY Times), who admitted he felt a little pressure heading into this start.
Pettitte was able to work out of trouble here and there. He was backed by solo home runs from Strawberry, Mariano Duncan and Jim Leyritz. Mariano Rivera pitched a scoreless ninth to close the game.
“We can build on this game. No one in here is comfortable at this point. We’ve just got to put our best efforts out there and try to clinch as soon as possible,” Bernie Williams said (Via NY Times).
Jimmy Key starts tomorrow against Jason Dickson.
Box score and current stats
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Yankees 3 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 6 7 1
Angels 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 8 0
Batting AB R H RBI BB SO PA BA OBP SLG
Boggs 3B 1 1 0 0 1 0 2 .315 .388 .394
Fox 3B 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 .189 .273 .250
B.Williams CF 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 .298 .380 .517
ONeill RF 4 1 2 0 0 0 4 .304 .413 .468
Fielder DH 4 0 0 1 0 3 4 .252 .349 .476
Martinez 1B 4 1 1 2 0 1 4 .304 .369 .487
Strawberry LF 2 1 1 1 1 0 3 .270 .372 .526
R.Rivera LF 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .255 .385 .392
Duncan 2B 4 1 2 1 0 1 4 .324 .333 .481
Leyritz C 4 1 1 1 0 1 4 .263 .351 .388
Jeter SS 3 0 0 0 0 1 3 .304 .364 .415
2B:O'Neill (31);Duncan (25)
HR:Martinez (22);Duncan (7);Strawberry (10);
Leyritz (7).
RBI:Martinez 2 (102);Strawberry (30);Duncan (49);
Leyritz (36);Fielder (98).
Pitching IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Pettitte W (19-7) 8 8 2 2 1 7 1 4.23
M.Rivera 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 1.89
