Filed under: YankeesBALTIMORE -- Roughly 90 minutes before Andy Pettitte's first start for the Yankees in more than two months, manager Joe Girardi tried his darndest to downplay expectations. Six innings of work would leave him "thrilled," said the New York skipper. Any confidence Pettitte had gained from a pair of rehab starts in the minors was all well and good, but ...
"I feel good about the progress he was able to make (coming back), but the intensity is a little higher here," Girardi said.
Good luck trying to contain your excitement now, Joe.
Pettitte lasted exactly six innings Sunday afternoon, surrendering just one run and three hits in a 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Orioles that, with the Rays' loss to the Angels, kept the Yankees' lead in the AL East at a 1/2 game entering a critical four-game showdown with the pursuing Rays in the Bronx.
Weep over missing an opportunity to pad the division lead if you must, Yankees fans, but rejoice at having Pettitte back in the saddle with the playoffs fast approaching.
"Andy pitched well today, and I'm pleased about that," Girardi said. "I kinda held my breath on that bunt play (in the first inning) by Adam Jones when he had to make a quick move (off the mound), but he came out of that fine. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
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