Andy Pettitte was dominant for eight innings today as the Yankees completed a three game sweep of the Oakland A's at The Stadium. He allowed a run on just four hits, didn't walk a batter, and struck out nine. He was consistently pounding the strike zone, and getting ahead of hitters. He threw 114 pitches on the day, 77 of them for strikes. The win was Andy's 11th of the season.
Mariano Rivera made it 24 for 24 in save opportunities today with a scoreless 9th.
Jose Molina was involved in the final play of the game for the second straight day, this time throwing out pinch-runner Rajai Davis trying to steal second.
Alex Rodriguez made what could have been a game saving play in the 9th with a runner on first and one out. Bobby Crosby lined a ball to Bobby Abreu in right, it looked like an easy line out to right, but Abreu dropped the ball. He still had an easy force play at second because the runner had to hold up, but overthrew to short. Luckily for the Yanks, A-Rod was backing up the play, caught the ball, and threw to Jeter for the force.
THE OFFENSE:
All-Star Justin Duchscherer has been very good all year, and today was no different. The Yankees were only able to push two runs across on six hits over 7 innings, but thanks to Pettitte that was enough for the day. The first run came on an Alex Rodriguez sac-fly in the 3rd. Jason Giambi added the second run when he lined a homer just over the short porch in right.
Robinson Cano had two more hits today, raising his average to .258. He's hitting .345 in July.
Bobby Meacham needs to know when is the right time to waive and hold runners on.
Today's win improved the Yankees record to 53-45, a season-high eight games over .500.
The Red Sox and Rays both lost on Sunday so the Yankees are now 3 games behind the Sox in the Wild Card, and 4.5 games behind the Rays in the Division.
PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Andy Pettitte (8 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 K)
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