Mark Teixeira and Jorge Posada hit long two-run homers in the seventh after stingy Francisco Liriano was done. Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Marcus Thames had early RBI singles for New York, and the defense made sure it was enough.
Brett Gardner and Nick Swisher made diving catches on sinking liners. Pettitte also helped himself by catching a shot up the middle with a runner on third.
After securing yet another comeback victory against Minnesota on Friday night thanks to A-Rod’s seventh-inning grand slam, the Yankees led this one from the start. They haven’t lost at home against the Twins since July 4, 2007, and Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire admitted before the game that his team is frustrated by all the losing in New York.
Pettitte allowed just one runner past second in his first outing in 10 days, winning his fifth consecutive decision to match his career-best start in 1997. He left his previous game May 5 with elbow inflammation and, much to his dismay, was forced to skip a start as a precaution.
Other than a sudden loss of control in the sixth, when he walked two batters with two outs and went to a 3-1 count to Joe Mauer before getting him to fly to center, Pettitte was in command. The lefty gave up leadoff singles in the second and fourth, but double plays ended each threat.
Pettitte gave a crisp wave of the cap with his left hand as he walked off the mound with one out in the seventh inning and a 3-0 lead.
Mauer, the designated hitter because of a sore heel, had an RBI single off Boone Logan in the eighth.
Liriano (4-2) struck out the side in the first despite giving up singles to three of the first four batters, with Rodriguez coming through with the RBI hit.
Thames was hit on the left foot with a pitch by Liriano leading off the second and limped down to first, but wasn’t slowed by any lingering pain. He scored from second on Jeter’s single to right, sliding into home ahead of Michael Cuddyer‘s strong throw.
Liriano struck out the side again in third and gave up eight singles and one double. He has yielded at least three runs in each of his three May starts after allowing three runs total in four April outings.
Thames singled in a run in the sixth, Liriano’s last. Liriano struck out seven and walked none.
Gardner made a diving catch on Denard Span‘s liner leading off the game. Pettitte caught Brendan Harris‘ drive with a runner on third and two out in the second. Swisher made a diving catch of Drew Butera‘s liner to right with one out in the third, the replay eliciting loud “Oooohs” from the crowd of 46,347.
Span had a sliding grab of his own in the eighth.
Notes
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said DH/1B Nick Johnson could be out three more weeks if the cortisone shot for Johnson’s injured right hand works. If Johnson needs surgery he could be out another four to six weeks after the operation. … Cashman said RHP Alfredo Aceves had an epidural in his sore back. … Yankees CF Curtis Granderson (left groin) said he ran eight sprints at up to 75 percent of full speed and is progressing well. He said he is looking forward to trying cut-back moves soon. … Gardenhire said RHP Scott Baker was sore after getting hit near his right knee by Jeter’s liner in the seventh inning Friday night but will be OK to make his next start.