After experiencing elbow stiffness in recent weeks, Andy Pettitte felt loose and ready to go in the bullpen before tonight’s game. Unfortunately for him and the Yankees, his warmup session didn’t translate into the game as New York fell to the Rangers 15-2.
Pettitte lasted just two and two-thirds of an inning, giving up 10 runs on 10 hits – easily the worst start of his young career. “It’s going to be tough to sleep tonight,” Pettitte said. “I expect a lot better from myself. It makes me sick to my stomach to pitch like this. This will take a while to get over.” (Via NY Times)
The 24-year-old lefty was staked to a 2-0 lead before he even took the mound. Paul O’Neill connected on a two-run homer off Ranger starter Bobby Witt in the first, but that was all the Yankees would get on the night. Pettitte immediately allowed four runs in the bottom of the first, two of them coming on an Ivan Rodriguez round-tripper. He allowed another homer in the third – a solo shot to Juan Gonzalez. After allowing three more runs in the third, manager Joe Torre brought on Jim Mecir, who allowed two runs – both charged to Pettitte.
After a Rusty Greer grand slam and another Gonzalez home run, the Yankees were buried 15-2. “When you miss your spots against a team like this, you’re going to get knocked around. I hate games like these. You can’t pitch. You can’t win,” Torre said. (Via NY Times)
Pettitte was left frustrated, especially since he felt like he had a good fastball for the first time in a couple months. His ERA jumped from 3.85 to 4.42. Torre, however, was encouraged, even though the results were ugly. “The good news is Andy’s starting to feel good,” said Torre. “I feel good about this start. He had a smile on his face.” (Via NY Times).
Jimmy Key starts tomorrow against Darren Oliver.
Notes:
- GM Bob Watson said he has stopped looking for a fifth starter, and is instead hoping to obtain a left-handed reliever and a backup shortstop. The trade deadline is tomorrow.
- The Yankees are 0-4 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington this year. They’ve now lost the series in Texas for the 13th straight year.
Box score and current stats
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Yankees 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 0
Rangers 4 0 6 0 4 0 1 0 X 15 21 0
Batting AB R H RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG
Boggs 3B 2 1 1 0 2 0 .320 .398 .406
Williams CF 3 0 0 0 0 1 .310 .396 .539
Williams CF 1 0 0 0 0 0 .294 .346 .474
ONeill RF 4 1 1 2 0 1 .304 .425 .455
Martinez 1B 3 0 0 0 0 2 .296 .356 .460
Aldrete 1B 1 0 1 0 0 0 .241 .333 .482
Strawberry DH 4 0 0 0 0 1 .227 .354 .424
Sierra LF 4 0 0 0 0 2 .256 .325 .402
Duncan 2B 2 0 0 0 0 1 .320 .337 .452
Howard 2B 1 0 0 0 0 0 .191 .220 .277
Leyritz C 3 0 1 0 0 1 .242 .335 .338
Jeter SS 2 0 1 0 0 0 .298 .364 .404
Fox SS 1 0 0 0 0 0 .200 .291 .271
2B:Aldrete (5, off Witt). HR:O'Neill (10) RBI:O'Neill 2 (59).
Pitching IP H R ER BB SO ERA
Pettitte L (15-6) 2.2 10 10 10 1 5 4.42
Mecir 2.1 6 4 4 1 2 5.14
Wickman 1 2 0 0 0 0 3.80
Polley 1 1 1 1 0 1 6.14
Nelson 1 2 0 0 1 2 4.38
