By MARK HALE
May 7, 2008
In Andy Pettitte's 400th career start, he righted his personal ship.
Like his team, Pettitte missed out on the win last night as a result of Joba Chamberlain's eighth-inning meltdown. Though he ended up with a no-decision in the Yankees' 5-3 loss to Cleveland, Pettitte had his strongest outing in more than two weeks.
The veteran lefty was stellar in 61/3 innings, giving up two runs on five hits while striking out a season-best six.
"Andy was sharp tonight," Joe Girardi said.
In his previous two starts, Pettitte hadn't been so sharp. On April 25 against Cleveland, he gave up five runs (four earned) in five innings in a loss. Then on April 30 versus Detroit, it was five runs in six innings. He lost again.
Last night, Pettitte avoided the trifecta. Wearing his socks high and facing the Tribe for the second time in 12 days, Pettitte allowed just an infield single over the first three innings and carried a 1-0 lead into the fourth.
That was when Pettitte ran into some trouble. With one out, Jamey Carroll singled, and on a 2-1 pitch, Jhonny Peralta drilled a two-run homer to center.
"When you're not used to giving up home runs, I'm getting a little tired of giving up home runs, especially more than solo shots. That's always going to be frustrating for me," Pettitte said. "But other than that, I was real happy. I felt real good."
Pettitte is indeed in a longball slump. He allowed just one homer in his first four starts, but he's served up five in his last three.
After Peralta's blast, Pettitte finished the fourth inning well. He surrendered Ryan Garko's single but struck out Franklin Gutierrez and Travis Hafner. He sailed from there, allowing just a walk in the fifth and pitching around Derek Jeter's error in the sixth.
With the no-decision, Pettitte still hasn't beaten the Indians in The Bronx since June 16, 1996, a span of five outings. But last night he at least did his part.
