Pettitte Can't Get Past Five as Yanks Lose Another

(REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
N.Y. Yankees	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		2	4	1
LA Angels	1	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	X		4	11	0

It was another tough loss for Andy Pettitte and the Yankees. The Yanks did have a 2-1 lead heading in the 5th, but that's when it all fell apart for Andy and the Yanks. The Angels loaded the bases with nobody out, Pettitte then struck out the next two batters and almost got out of the jam, but on a 3-2 pitch to Rob Quinlan Pettitte missed his spot and Quinlan lined a single into left field that scored three runs - two on the hit and one on Xavier Nady's throwing error - and that was the ball game. In just 4.2 IP against an Angels lineup that was without Torii Hunter, Mark Teixeira and Chone Figgins, he allowed four runs (three earned) on nine hits, while walking one and striking out five.

Pettitte, like most Yankees pitchers this season, was hurt by Bobby Abreu's poor fielding and fear of walls in the inning, but that's no excuse and doesn't explain the other runners that reached base.

Once again the Yankees continue to hit like a minor league team. For the 46th time this season the Yankees scored two runs on less. Today they were held down by Dustin Moseley, who came into this game with a 7.90 ERA. The Yanks were only able to pick up one hit after the 4th, a 9th inning single by Xavier Nady. The only Yankee runs came in the first inning on a RBI single by Jason Giambi, and a balk.

The one bright spot of the day was the bullpen, more specifically Joba Chamberlain who pitched two scoreless innings, and picked up three strikeouts. Joba's velocity seems to be coming back, and his slider was as filthy as ever. Jose Veras also pitched a scoreless inning, and Phil Coke struck out the only batter he faced.

Today's win combined with Oakland's loss clinches the AL West for the Angels.

	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, CF	3	0	0	0	1	1	0	.305
Jeter, SS	3	1	1	0	1	0	0	.296
Abreu, RF	3	1	0	0	1	1	1	.296
Rodriguez, A, 3B	4	0	0	0	0	3	3	.308
Giambi, 1B	2	0	1	1	2	1	0	.248
1-Ransom, PR	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.750
Nady, LF	4	0	2	0	0	2	2	.317
2-Gardner, PR	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.182
Matsui, DH	4	0	0	0	0	2	4	.297
Cano, 2B	3	0	0	0	0	1	1	.261
Molina, C	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	.219
a-Betemit, PH	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.258
Moeller, C	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.228
Totals	29	2	4	1	5	13	11
a-Struck out for Molina in the 8th. 1-Ran for Giambi in the 9th. 2-Ran for Nady in the 9th.
BATTING TB: Jeter; Giambi; Nady 2. RBI: Giambi (90). 2-out RBI: Giambi. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Nady; Matsui. GIDP: Matsui. Team LOB: 5. BASERUNNING SB: Jeter (11, 2nd base off Moseley/Napoli). CS: Damon (7, 2nd base by Moseley/Napoli). PO: Damon (1st base by Moseley).

ANGELS OFFENSE

	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Pettitte (L, 13-13)	4.2	9	4	3	1	5	0	4.52
Veras	1.0	1	0	0	0	1	0	3.59
Coke	0.1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0.00
Chamberlain	2.0	1	0	0	0	3	0	2.61

ANGELS PITCHING

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Dustin Moseley (5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K)

HONORABLE MENTION: Garret Anderson (2-for-4, 2B, 2 R)

GOAT OF THE GAME: Andy Pettitte (Can't even last 5 innings now?)

The Yanks come home for the final homestand ever at Yankee Stadium, and it starts with a three game series with the Rays on Friday. Sidney Ponson starts for the Yanks, and he will face James Shields. Game Time: 7:05 p.m. - TV: MY9 - Radio: WCBS 880.