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The New York Yankees are finally starting to get back to near full-strength these days with the return of Mark Teixeira and Kevin Youkilis to the lineup this Friday. On Monday night in their game against the Cleveland Indians, they got another key player back from the DL as Andy Pettitte took the mound for the first time since May 16.
Given the inconsistency of New York’s starting pitching this season, they really needed Pettitte to step back in and give them a boost, despite his age and coming off a shoulder injury. Despite the fact that the Yankees notched a 7-4 win behind a Teixeira grand slam and Travis Hafner home run, Pettitte didn’t look too great in his return to the bump for the men in pinstripes.
Pettitte lasted just 4.2 innings versus Cleveland on Monday and threw 83 pitches over that span. He allowed 10 base runners on seven hits and three walks while allowing four runs, all earned, and striking out just three batters. Once again, Pettitte was making his first start since having an issue with his shoulder, but that was hardly the promising outing that the Yankees wanted to see from him.
Monday’s start brought Pettite’s ERA to 4.17 for the season and his WHIP to 1.37, which obviously aren’t great numbers. Opponents also have a .307 batting average on balls in play against him this season. C.C. Sabathia and Hiroki Kuroda have been solid for the Yankees this season. But if they can’t get better outings from Pettitte and the rest of the bottom of their rotation, their early success this season is going to be short-lived.
Cody Williams is a Blogger with Rant Sports. Follow Cody on Twitter @TheSizzle20 and like his Facebook page.
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