Bronx, NY – The Yankees only scored during only one inning on Saturday, but the 11 runs were sufficient to easily defeat the Toronto Blue Jays, 11-3 to even the July 4 weekend series at one game each. The victory was the 10th of the 20120 season for the veteran left-hander.
Pettitte joined CC Sabathia and Phil Hughes in double digit victories this season. The threesome are only the fourth Yankee trio of pitchers who have achieved this mark before the All-Star break in the past half-century. The feat was previously accomplished in 2003, 1998 and 1976. Of the achievement, Pettitte remarked, “I expect it from CC; Phil’s been doing an incredible job; I expect to win.”
Petitte had a rocky first inning in which he gave up three hits and the Blue Jays scored two runs, but retained his composure and bettered his pitching during the next five innings. He explained, “I felt good in the first. I was just overthrowing. They [Toronto batters] put good swings on the ball. You just have to change speeds.”
Pettitte was questioned about how he was affected by the extremely lengthy, 37 minutes, bottom of the third inning. The lefty responded to the queries, “That was a long inning. I was just trying to stay loose. I was jogging around [in the batting cage area] my legs loose. Once we scored four.” Although he would have liked to enter the game sooner than he did, he was glad the team went on a scoring binge, “It was good for them [Yankees batters]. We have been struggling a little bit.”
Petitte at 10-2 has made as good a start as ever before. He spoke of his accomplishments, “I’m glad I’m healthy. I’m glad I’m able to contribute. I’m glad I’m able to keep us in games.” His impressive record has caused his name to be mentioned as a possible member of the A.L. All-Star squad. Pettitte said the honor would please him, “It’s been nine years since my last one. It’s out of my hand.”
The Yankees starter hurled six innings. He surrendered three runs (a two-run homer by Jose Bautista in the first and a lead-off homer by Alex Gonzalez in the sixth. Petitte only gave up five hits and one walk. He retired 14 straight batters from the first through the fifth innings. Petitte has not pitched less than five innings in any of his 16 starts in 2010.
Petitte did not only do the only impressive pitching for the Yanks. Dustin Mosley made an auspicious debut with the club by retiring all six batters he faced in the seventh and eighth innings. The 28 year-old righty pitched for Angels from 2006-9 but missed 151 games due to injuries during the past two seasons. Manager Joe Girardi was impressed by the newcomer, “Thge ground balls, the strikes, the efficiency, hopefully, he can play a role for us.”