Andy Terrific As Yanks Even Series

(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
TEX	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0		2	7	1
NYY	0	3	0	1	0	0	5	0	X		9	10	1

WP - Andy Pettitte (11-6)
LP - Derek Holland (7-8)

Andy Pettitte gave the Yankees exactly what they needed tonight with seven solid innings of work on his way to his 11th win of the season. The lefty allowed just two runs on five hits, walked three, struck out seven, and threw 61 of his 103 pitches for strikes.

Only one Ranger gave him problems tonight and that was David Murphy who drove in both Rangers runs. The first coming on an RBI double in the top of the fifth, and the second on a solo homer in the seventh. Any other trouble Pettitte got into during the night was erased by three double plays turned behind him.

Pettitte's win tied him with Lefty Gomez for fourth on the Yankees all-time wins list with 189. Next on the list is Red Ruffin with 231 wins, and Whitey Ford tops the list with 236 wins.

Jorge Posada gave the Yankees all the runs they would need with a three-run homer off Rangers' starter Derek Holland. It was Posada's 17th homer of the season. The Yankees got a bit of a scare with Posada in the 8th when he was hit on his glove with a foul-tip and had to leave the game, but X-rays were negative and he's listed as day-to-day.

Jerry Hairston Jr. drove in the Yankees fourth run with a solo homer in the bottom of the fifth. It was his tenth homer of the season, and the first time in his career that he's reached double digits in homers.

Hairston had a very nice game, and pretty much knocked Holland out of the game on his own. After Robinson Cano led off the bottom of the seventh with a double, Hairston battled his way through a 12-pitch at-bat and drew a walk. In four plate appearances he saw 34 pitches. After the walk Jason Jennings replaced Holland and the Yankees exploded for five runs.

Melky Cabrera laid down a perfect sac bunt, and reached on Jennings' error to load the bases. Derek Jeter then singled in a run to make it 5-2. Nick Swisher made it 7-2 with a two-run double, and the Mark Teixeira capped off the rally with a two-run single to make it 9-2 Yanks.

After the Yankees blew the game open Joe Girardi called on Brian Bruney who once again struggled. He didn't allow a run, but in one inning allowed two hits and a walk. He had good velocity, but bad command and found the zone with just 13 of his 21 pitches. I don't know if it's a lack of work that's causing this, but he's quickly pitching himself off the playoff roster (if they make it).

Phil Coke was sharp in a scoreless ninth to close out the game.

The Yanks look to take another series when they face the Rangers in tomorrow's afternoon rubber game. A.J. Burnett will try to rebound from his pathetic start in Fenway last weekend, and he will face Dustin Nippert.

	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Jeter, SS	4	1	1	2	0	1	1	.333
Swisher, RF-LF	4	1	1	1	0	2	0	.245
Teixeira, 1B	4	0	1	2	0	0	0	.285
Rodriguez, A, 3B	3	1	1	0	1	0	1	.267
Hinske, RF	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.257
Matsui, H, DH	4	1	2	0	0	1	0	.271
Posada, C	3	1	1	3	0	1	0	.277
Molina, J, C	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.250
Cano, 2B	4	1	2	0	0	0	1	.316
Hairston, J, LF-3B	2	2	1	1	2	1	0	.260
Cabrera, Me, CF	2	1	0	0	0	0	1	.265
Totals	30	9	10	9	4	6	4
BATTING 2B: Cano (36, Holland), Swisher (26, Jennings). HR: Posada (17, 2nd inning off Holland, 2 on, 0 out), Hairston, J (10, 4th inning off Holland, 0 on, 2 out). TB: Jeter; Swisher 2; Teixeira; Rodriguez, A; Matsui, H 2; Posada 4; Cano 3; Hairston, J 4. RBI: Posada 3 (63), Hairston, J (34), Jeter 2 (59), Swisher (67), Teixeira 2 (95). 2-out RBI: Hairston, J. S: Cabrera, Me. GIDP: Rodriguez, A; Cano. Team RISP: 5-for-5. Team LOB: 2. BASERUNNING SB: Rodriguez, A (9, 2nd base off Holland/Teagarden). CS: Cano (6, 2nd base by Holland/Teagarden). PO: Cano (1st base by Holland). FIELDING E: Rodriguez, A (7, fielding). DP: 4 (Jeter-Cano-Teixeira, Rodriguez, A-Cano-Teixeira 3).

	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Pettitte (W, 11-6)	7.0	5	2	2	3	7	1	4.18
Bruney	1.0	2	0	0	1	0	0	4.50
Coke	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	4.59

Pitches-strikes: Pettitte 103-61, Bruney 21-13, Coke 11-7.

RANGERS STATS

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Andy Pettitte (W, 7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 K)

HONORABLE MENTION: Jerry Hairston Jr. (1-for-2, 2 BB, HR, RBI, R)

Tomorrow's Game

Yankees vs. Rangers

Game Time: 1:05 p.m. TV/Radio: YES, WCBS
RHP A.J. Burnett (10-7, 4.08) vs. RHP Dustin Nippert (4-2, 3.95)