Suh-weeeeeeeeeep

Andy Pettitte became the 2nd straight Yankees starter to pitch into the 8th, and A-Rod and Hideki Matsui continued to swing hot bats as the Yankees finished off a sweep of the Dbacks, 7-1. Less than 24 hours after Mike Mussina gave the Yankees 7 2-3 innings, Pettitte pitch 8 complete frames, allowing just 4 hits and a walk. In improving to 4-4, the Andyman struck out 4.

With Johnny Damon getting a day off, Melky Cabrera was penciled into the lead off spot and rewarded Joe Torre with a single to start the 1st. Derek Jeter and Bobby Abreu each followed with singles as well to load the bases. Abreu's base hit extended his hitting streak to 13 games. Rather than give up a home run to Alex Rodriguez, Dback's starter Doug Davis walked him to force in a run. Davis struck out Jorge Posada, but Matsui's ground out brought home a 2nd run.

The heart of the order came through again in the 3rd. Abreu drew a walk, and A-Rod followed with a double into the corner. Abreu scored and A-Rod moved to 3rd as Scott Hairston misplayed the ball. Davis was again able to retired Posada, but Matsui doubled to right for a 4-1 lead.

Pettitte cruised through the middle innings, retiring 13 in a row at one point. Meantime the offense touched up the Dbacks pen for 3 more runs in the 7th. Posada and A-Rod singled off of Juan Cruz, setting up another RBI situation for Matsui. Godzilla took advantage, singling off reliever Doug Slaten. Posada scored and A-Rod joined him as Young's throw got away. Josh Phelps finished off the scoring with a single to center.

Scott Proctor pitched an uneventful 9th, striking out Mark Reynolds to seal the deal. Milwaukee was beating Detroit at the same time, moving the Yankees to within 3 1/2 of the Tigers in the wild card. And tonight, Colorado shellacked Boston again, 7-1, cutting the Yanks deficit in the AL East to 7 1/2.







Celebrate good times, c'mon!