During the past week the Yankees’ starting pitching has been disappointing, giving up 39 runs in the last four games. Andy Pettitte looked to give the Yankees a solid outing as the offense battled the Rangers’ young rookie, Derek Holland.

Andy struggled in the first inning when Young reached on an error by Alex Rodriguez and Hamilton singled. Pettitte walked Nelson Cruz to load the bases with only one out, but got out of trouble when Pudge Rodriguez grounded into a double play. Pettitte settled down and pitched well as the Yankees offense took off. A-Rod singled to start the second inning and Matsui followed with a base hit. The Texas pitching coach went out to calm the young Holland, but Posada followed with a deep fly ball to center field giving the Yankees the 3-0 lead. In the fourth, Jerry Hairston, Jr., who gave Johnny Damon a day off from left field, hit a solo shot to left, extending the Yankee lead.

In the top of the fifth, Chris Davis got the Rangers rolling with a single to Jeter. Teagarden struck out, but a long double by David Murphy scored Davis and the Rangers were on the board. Pettitte walked Andrus, but got Kinsler to pop up and Young to strike out to end the inning and keep the damage to a minimum. Murphy struck again in the seventh, sending the ball over the wall in right center field with two outs. The Rangers had pulled within two, but the Yankees’ offense was not finished. Cano started the bottom of the seventh with a double to left. Hairston walked and Cabrera put down a sac bunt that Jason Jennings, the relief pitcher, mishandled, allowing Melky to load the bases on the error. Derek Jeter came through with his first hit of the night, driving the ball to left and scoring Cano and Hairston. Swisher followed with a double to right, plating Melky. Teixeira capped off the Yankees’ rally by sending Jeter and Swisher home on a single to right, giving the Bombers the 9-2 lead at the end of seven.

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