In an otherwise unmemorable loss, New York fans had the pleasure of welcoming Andy Pettitte back to the Bronx on a memorable cold snowy night. As he walked onto the field amid a standing ovation, Pettitte looked to get his first win in pinstripes since the end of the 2003 season. Slowed by back spasms during the spring, Pettitte was set to a pitch count of around 80 pitches and after cruising through the first inning, New York prepared to write the storybook return it had hoped for. Unfortunately, somebody forgot to give the Yankees defense their lines in the script. Three more errors cost the team two runs and Pettitte was less than sharp following his first inning of work. In all, Pettitte lasted four plus innings in an 83 pitch effort that saw him surrender 2 earned runs on six hits.

After becoming only the third pitcher in Yankees history to get their first victory in pinstripes on opening day (Jimmy Key and Randy Johnson were the other two), Luis Vizcaino took the loss after a wild pitch (the third of the game) allowed the winning run to score. Offensively for the Yanks, the night was highlighted by a Derek Jeter single that tied him with Don Mattingly for sixth place on the team’s all-time hit list with 2,053. Filling in for the injured Johnny Damon, Robinson Cano had 3 hits in his debut atop the order as leadoff. Damon, who has never seen the disabled list during his career may be in for his first trip as an MRI revealed a mild strain in his calf. With his injury, look for Melky Cabrera to make the most of his playing time as it appears that this season will prove just how important his presence off the bench is in 2007.

(5 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

 Loading ...