Andy Pettitte’s return spoiled with extra-innings loss to the Baltimore Orioles
Andy Pettitte looked good in his first trip back to the mound since going on the disabled list with a strained groin July 19, but it was not enough to lead the Yankees to victory as they lost to the Baltimore Orioles 4-3 in an eleven inning contest Sunday.
Pettitte held the Orioles to just three hits and one earned run over six innings of work, but saw the lead disappear when Luke Scott hit a home run off Mariano Rivera in the ninth to tie the game at 3-3. Scott scored the winning run two innings later when Ty
Wigginton hit a single to right centre field off reliever David Robertson.
"I'm very encouraged by the command and the good rhythm I was able to get going," Pettitte said. "It's amazing how fast you get out there and you get the blood pumping and get back in the feel of it, that you can get things going again."
Scott’s home run gave Rivera blown save number four on the season; Robertson got the loss, number five for him.
"It was a good pitch, but not a good pitch to a lefty," Rivera said. "Down, and that's pretty much where he's made his living."
The Yankees lost six of nine on the road trip, failing to put some distance between themselves and the Rays. The Rays won five of their last nine.
Robinson Cano kept his candidacy for AL MVP honours alive going two for four with one RBI and one run scored. He is hitting .325 on the season.
New York finishes the season playing nothing but AL Easy opponents including six against the Boston Red Sox who could sneak into the play-offs if they are able to win all six games with the Yankees. They also have four games with the Tampa Bay Rays and three
with the Toronto Blue Jays.
With the loss the Yankees fell to 90-59 on the season and hold a half-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East.
The Yankees will start a seven-game home stand on Monday starting with a four-game series against Tampa Bay. Scheduled to take the mound for the Yankees is rookie Ivan Nova with Matt Garza set to do so for the Rays. Nova has yet to lose since being inserted
into the starting rotation against the Blue Jays on August 23.
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