August 19, 1996: Pettitte tosses complete game, saves Yankees from sweep
credit: Ron Frehm/AP
Where would the Yankees be without Andy Pettitte?
The 24-year-old lefty stepped up once again, picking up his 18th win of the season and saving the Yankees from an embarrassing four-game sweep at the hands of the Seattle Mariners. Pettitte is now 11-2 on the season following a Yankees loss.
Pettitte went the distance, saving a tired bullpen from another night of work. He gave up four runs on just three hits while striking out four. He was backed by the offense, who erupted to score 10 runs on the night. Leading the way was Tino Martinez, who went 3-for-4 with five RBI.
Things didn't look good for Pettitte early on. He put the Yankees in a 3-0 hole in the first inning, and it looked like the Yankees were on their way towards getting swept. "It was frustrating going out and giving up three runs in the first inning," Pettitte said. "I didn't want the guys to think, 'Here we go again.' " (Via NY Times)
The Yankees responded with lone runs in the second and third innings, and then a four-spot in the fifth inning to take control of the game. With runners on first and third, Martinez singled home Boggs. A wild pitch moved the runners to second and third, forcing Lou Piniella to intentionally walk Bernie Williams with first base open to load the bases. Derek Jeter made Seattle pay with a two-RBI single, and then Jim Leyritz followed with an RBI double.
Pettitte was able to cruise from there. He allowed one more run in the sixth when Alex Rodriguez hit a solo shot, but that was all the Mariners would get for the rest of the game. Overall, Pettitte needed 127 pitches (75 strikes) for the complete game.
"For a guy who knew what we needed, he gave it to us," manager Joe Torre said (Via NY Times). The Yankees remain home and will welcome in the lowly California Angels for a three-game series.
Box score and current stats
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Mariners 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 3 0
Yankees 0 1 1 0 4 1 1 2 X 10 16 0Batting AB R H RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG
Raines LF 5 0 0 0 0 2 .286 .388 .398
Boggs 3B 5 2 2 0 0 0 .318 .392 .401
Strawberry RF 5 0 3 0 0 0 .279 .386 .533
G.Williams PR-RF 0 1 0 0 0 0 .272 .320 .435
Fielder DH 5 2 4 1 0 0 .257 .359 .493
Fox PR 0 1 0 0 0 0 .190 .273 .253
Martinez 1B 4 2 3 5 1 0 .311 .375 .486
B.Williams CF 4 2 1 1 1 0 .302 .382 .534
Jeter SS 3 0 1 2 1 0 .313 .371 .427
Leyritz C 4 0 2 1 0 0 .251 .341 .358
Kelly 2B 4 0 0 0 0 3 .133 .188 .1332B:Leyritz (8);Fielder (16) HR:Martinez (19);Fielder (31);B.Williams (24) RBI:Martinez 5 (95);Jeter 2 (53);Fielder (95); Leyritz (29);B.Williams (77)
Pitching IP H R ER BB SO ERA
Pettitte W (18-7) 9 3 4 4 4 4 4.28