Andy Pettitte Pitches Yankees to 9-2 Victory over Rangers
August 27, 2009 · Doug Rush · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
On Tuesday night, the Rangers were able to slap around Joba Chamberlain and Chad Gaudin for 10 runs, which was too much for their attempted ninth inning comeback.
On Wednesday night, the Yankees countered with Andy Pettitte and gave the Rangers a taste of their own medicine.
Pettitte was up against a rookie pitcher who was 15 years younger than him in 22-year-old lefty Derek Holland. Holland was the main pitcher who the Rangers refused to trade to the Blue Jays last month for Roy Halladay.
Pettitte held down the potent Texas offense by going seven strong innings, allowing five hits and two runs, walking three and striking out seven.
The only one on the Rangers who did any considerable damage off Pettitte was David Murphy who hit an RBI double in the fifth and a solo home run in the seventh. Other than that, Pettitte was in control the whole time.
Pettitte improves his record to 11-6 and is second on the Yankees staff for the most wins. The Yankees are definitely getting durability and quality out of Pettitte in 2009 as he has now pitched 159 innings with 124 strikeouts in 26 starts.
While Pettitte was shutting down the Rangers offense, the Yankees offense was putting on a show in front of Jack Nicholson and Paul McCartney.
Jorge Posada hit a three run home run in the bottom of the second inning to put the Yankees ahead 3-0.
Jerry Hairston, Jr. hits his 10th home run of the season into the left field seats to put the Yankees up 4-0.
In the bottom of the seventh, the bases were loaded when Melky Cabrera attempted a sacrifice bunt and reliever Jason Jennings bobbled the ball, which lead to Derek Jeter hitting a two-run single to make it 6-2.
Following Jeter was Nick Swisher, who ripped an RBI double to make it 7-2.
After Swisher was Mark Teixeira, who hit a two-run single to right to make it 9-2.
Brian Bruney escaped trouble with a double play to pitch a scoreless eighth and Phil Coke breezed through the ninth inning to preserve the Yankees 9-2 victory over the Rangers.
The Yankees go to 79-46 and stay six games ahead of the Red Sox, who won their game 3-2 over the White Sox.
The Yankees will finish up their three-game series Thursday afternoon by sending A.J. Burnett up to the mound to face Dustin Nippert.
Another good win for the Yankees, who continue to win at home and keep the Red Sox away from their first place lead heading into September.
After Pettitte’s brilliant performance, Burnett must rebound from his poor performance in Boston and go back to his winning ways in order to give the Yankees another series victory and home win.
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