Now THAT’s Our Andy

Pettitte Blanks Reds; Yanks Win, 4-0

(Photos by Ken Carozza)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, May 19-Andy Pettitte, in his second major league appearance since October 2010, shut out the Cincinnati Reds for eight innings. The victory was his first in a regular season big league game since July 8, 2010.

After losing their last three games, the Yankees were happy to return to the Bronx and overjoyed to be facing a national league team. The win kept the Yankees at the top of the standings in inter league play. They have compiled the most win, 158, and have the highest winning percentage, .597.

The story of the game was the superlative performance of the veteran left hander. Pettitte, less than one month shy of reaching the age of 40, pitched like the comeback kid. He shut out the Reds for eight frames, giving up only four isolated singles and one walk while fanning nine batters.

Yankee skipper Joe Girardi was ecstatic regarding Pettitte’s work, “He had everything going tonight. I thought his cutter was exceptional. I thought the location of his fastball was exceptional.” When asked if Pettitte looks any different than in years past, Girardi responded, “If you want to go back 2- years, to me, it’s the same guy.”

Catcher Chris Stewart saw very little difference between this victory and the loss Pettitte suffered in his first start of the season last Sunday, “The difference was just a couple of pitches. Tonight, he didn’t make those mistakes. Tonight was outstanding.”

Pettitte was especially pleased with his improvement, “Everything was working. It was good to get in a good rhythm.”

The Yanks continued to be unable to hit in the clutch. Yankee batters have only hit safely three times in the last 48 at bats with runners in scoring position.

The Yankees first was scored on a ground out to shortstop by Alex Rodriguez in the fourth.

The other three runs were scored on three hits in the eighth. Robinson Cano hit a solo homer. A- Rod, the next batter singled. Raul Ibañez followed with a two-run home run.

The second game of the inter league series will be played on Saturday afternoon Ivan Nova (4-1) expected to take the mound for the Yankees against Homer Bailey (1-3).

Pettitte is scheduled to start against Kansas City on Wednesday.

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