Behind Pettitte, Yankees Secure First Win of the Season

For many pitchers, being tasked with preventing an opening series sweep would be a high pressure situation. For Andy Pettitte it was just another day at the park.

Pettitte was his normal calm, collected, and clutch self on the mound, surrendering one run over eight innings to help lead the Yankees to their first win of the season, 4-2 over Boston. The veteran left-hander outmatched Ryan Dempster who lasted only five innings in his Red Sox debut. Dempster signed a two-year, $26.5 million deal with Boston over the off-season after finishing last year with the Texas Rangers. Dempster struck out eight but walked four and surrendered three earned runs in his five innings of work.

A Lyle Overbay single in the bottom of the second plated two and gave the Yankees their first lead of the season. In the third Brett Gardner added a solo home run that just inched its way into the short porch seats in right field. The bats then lay dormant until Francisco Cervelli answered a one run top of the seventh by Boston with a solo shot in the bottom of the frame. Cervelli’s first home run of the year extended the Bomber’s lead back up to three.

Of course, with Mariano Rivera back in the Yankees bullpen, that would be more than enough insurance. Mo surrendered a run on a ground out after walking Pedroia and allowing a double by Gomes, but was able to strike out Jackie Bradley Jr. to secure his first save of the season.