A Sunday for Salvation

With Pope Benedict XVI holding a mass in Yankee Stadium, the Yankees turned to the veteran they look to in troubled times. Andy Pettitte tossed 7 shutout innings and increased his record following a Yankees loss to 72-34, as the Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles, 7-1.

Pettitte gave Joe Girardi and his teammates exactly what they needed- a solid starting performance and a victory. The slumping Yankee bats also woke up in the 9th inning to put the game, 4-1 at the time, out of reach.

But this day was all about Pettitte. In the Yankees last 3 games, all losses, the starting pitching (Mike Mussina, Phil Hughes, and Ian Kennedy) had thrown only 11 innings and given up 14 runs. But Pettitte was spot on despite feeling less than 100% due to a cold. He threw just 89 pitches, allowed 4 hits, walked none, and struck out 5.

Pettitte retired the first 14 batters he faced before Jay Payton easily beat out a slow roller in front of Alex Rodriguez with 2 outs in the 5th. Adam Jones followed with a single of his own, the only time all afternoon the Orioles would two base runners on against Pettitte. But the left-hander retired Guillermo Quiroz on a deep fly to Melky Cabrera in center field to end the frame.

The Yankees had a 2-0 lead on RBI doubles by A-Rod and Hideki Matsui in the 4th, and then gave Pettitte some breathing room in the 7th. Chad Moeller just missed hitting one out, but settled for one-ou double against O's starter Steve Trachsel. Dave Trembley sent for submarining reliever Chad Bradford, who had allowed only 2 home runs in his previous 155 games. But Johnny Damon drilled a rising sinkerball into the right field seats for his 2nd home run of the season and a 4-0 lead.

The game was delayed in the bottom of the 8th inning due to rain and when it resumed the Orioles finally got on the board. Joba Chamberlain had started the inning by giving up a double to Quiroz and a single to shortstop Luis Hernandez When play resumed, Brian Bruney came on and allowed a sacrifice fly to Brian Roberts. Bruney brought the tying run to the plate when he issued a 2-out walk to Nick Markakis, but he retired Kevin Millar on a pop out to end the inning.

The Yankees broke the game open in the 9th against closer Gary Sherrill after loading the bases on walks to Cabrera and Damon with a single by Moeller in between. Derek Jeter then drilled a pitch into the right field corner for a bases clearing double and a 7-1 lead.

Mariano Rivera had been warming up already, and since he hadn't pitched since Tuesday, Girardi opted to bring him in the non-save situation. That's when the rains came again, even harder than the first time. After a delay of just under 40 minutes, Mo retired 3 of the 4 batters he faced to send the Yankees into their off Monday with a victory.

News and Notes

Chad Moeller, a .225 career hitter, knows that his days in New York are numbered as Jose Molina has recovered from his strained hamstring and Jorge Posada's shoulder is getting stronger. But the 9-year veteran is making the most of his playing time. He's batting .350 (7-20) with a home run, 3 RBI, 2 doubles, 5 runs scored, 3 walks, and a 1.044 OPS.

Alex Rodriguez left the game in the top of the 6th inning with a strained quad. He was running hard to 1st Base to beat out a potential double play when he pulled up. His leg was in a heat wrap when the team left Camden Yards and he'll be receiving treatment on it tomorrow. Reporters asked him if he would flying to Miami to beat with his very pregnant wife tomorrow, or to Chicago where the Yankees open a series on Tuesday. "No", was the response to both. Perhaps C-Rod is in New York.

Andy Pettitte's win was his 167th as a Yankee, putting him one behind Bob Shawkey for 5th place in franchise history. The win was also the 204th of his career.

Joe Girardi made it official after the game, Pettitte will move between Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy in the starting rotation.