Pettitte dazzles against Red Sox; avoid sweep

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Red Sox	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	9	0
Yankees	0	2	1	0	0	0	1	0	x	4	8	0

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0

0

0

0

0

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2

9

0

Yankees

0

2

1

0

0

0

1

0

x

4

8

0

R

H

E

Red Sox

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

9

0

Yankees

0

2

1

0

0

0

1

0

x

4

8

0

Andy Pettitte pitches against the Red Sox on Thursday. (Getty Images)

The Yankees were able to avoid the sweep tonight as Andy Pettitte supplied them with an outstanding start. Mariano Rivera entered the game in the ninth inning for the first time since his injury last April. With his save tonight, Mariano Rivera has now saved 69 of Andy Pettitte's wins, the most by any duo in the major leagues.

Mariano Rivera picks up his first save. (Getty Images)

Andy Pettitte allowed one run on eight hits in eight innings of work. He struck out three and walked only one batter. Pettitte finished his outing with only 94 pitches thrown, in which 64 of them were for strikes. If this wasn't a save opportunity, then Pettitte most likely would have completed this game.

The Yankee offense clicked tonight as they were able to get to Boston's pitching. They kicked off the scoring in the second inning when Lyle Overbay drove in two runs with a single to center field.

Brett Gardner played a part in the offense tonight as he collected two hits, including a solo home run to start the third inning. Francisco Cervelli would add another run in the seventh inning with a long solo shot to left field, which increased their lead to 4-1.

Mariano Rivera would pick up his first save of the season and his 609th of his career tonight. Rivera was a little shaky tonight, but manageable. Rivera allowed one run on one hit in his inning of work. He struck out one and walked one.

The Yankees will begin a seven-game road trip tomorrow when they begin a three game set with the Tigers.

Game 3: Red Sox at Yankees

Game 3: Red Sox at Yankees
April 4th, 2013, 7:05 pm ET, Yankee Stadium

TV:  YES Radio: WCBS 880

Weather: Mostly Cloudy, 45 Degrees, Wind: S at 12 MPH

The Yankees will look to avoid a sweep tonight as they lost the first two games of this series against the Red Sox.

Here are the lineups:

Red Sox (2-0)
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Shane Victorino, RF
Dustin Pedroria, 2B
Mike Napoli, 1B
Jhonny Gomes, DH
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Jackie Bradley, LF
David Ross, C
Jose Iglesias, SS

Pitching: Ryan Dempster RHP (0-0, 0.00 ERA this season)
(Ryan Dempster against the Yankees: Click Here)

Yankees (0-2)
Brett Gardner, CF
Robinson Cano, 2B
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
Travis Hafner, DH
Vernon Wells, LF
Ichiro Suzuki, RF
Eduardo Nunez, SS
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Francisco Cervelli, C

Pitching:
Andy Pettitte LHP (0-0, 0.00 ERA this season)
(Andy Pettitte against the Red Sox: Click Here)

Enjoy the game!

Hiroki Kuroda diagnosed with bruised finger

The Yankees can breathe some sigh of relief as Hiroki Kuroda sustained a minor injury to his right middle finger. The team announced that Kuroda was diagnosed with a contusion in his right middle finger.

Kuroda sustained the injury after Shane Victorino laced a line drive back up the middle that caught Kuroda's finger. He stayed in the game to face four hitters before being pulled.

After his departure, he went for an X-ray and a CT scan, which showed the contusion.

It is unclear if he will make his next start or not, but he is scheduled to pitch a bullpen on Friday.

Yanks' struggles continue in Opening Series against Red Sox

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Red Sox	1	1	4	0	0	1	0	0	0	7	13	0
Yankees	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	3	0	4	9	1

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Red Sox

1

1

4

0

0

1

0

0

0

7

13

0

Yankees

0

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1

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0

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3

0

4

9

1

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Red Sox

1

1

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0

0

1

0

0

0

7

13

0

Yankees

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

3

0

4

9

1

Hiroki Kuroda pitches against the Red Sox on Wedneday. (Getty Images)

The Yankees were unable to capture their first win of the season as they lost to the Red Sox 7-4 on Wednesday night. Hiroki Kuroda departed early from the game after he bruised his right middle finger.

Kuroda allowed two runs on four hits in one and one third innings of work. He struck out 1 and walked 1. Kuroda had to exit the game four batters after he was hit in the finger by a come backer. He tried to stay in the game, but after two hit-by-pitches and a walk, Joe Girardi pulled him.

Cody Eppley, Adam Warren, and Shawn Kelley pitched in relief tonight. Cody Eppley gave up four runs, while Adam Warren gave up one. Shawn Kelley pitched a scoreless inning of relief.

The Yankee offense was powered by Travis Hafner and Vernon Wells. Travis Hafner hit a solo shot to right-center field in the fourth inning, while Wells hit a three-run shot to left in the eighth inning.

The Yankees will look to avoid a sweep tomorrow night when Andy Pettitte makes his season debut.

Game 2: Red Sox at Yankees

Game 2: Red Sox at Yankees
April 3rd, 2013, 7:05 pm ET, Yankee Stadium

TV:  YES, ESPN2 Radio: WCBS 880

Weather: Clear/Windy, 43 Degrees, Wind: WNW at 23 MPH

After an off day yesterday, the Yankees and Red Sox will continue their three game set tonight. The Yankees look to pick up a victory after they lost on Opening Day, which snaps their eleven consecutive Opening Day wins at home.

Click Here for the Probable Pitchers for this series.

Here are the lineups:

Red Sox (1-0)
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Daniel Nava, DH
Dustin Pedroria, 2B
Mike Napoli, 1B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Shane Victorino, RF
Jackie Bradley, LF
Jose Iglesias, SS

Pitching: Clay Buchholz RHP (0-0, 0.00 ERA this season)
(Clay Buchholz against the Yankees: Click Here)

Yankees (0-1)
Brett Gardner, CF
Ichiro Suzuki, RF
Robinson Cano, 2B
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
Travis Hafner, DH
Vernon Wells LF
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Eduardo Nunez, SSChris Stewart, C

Pitching: Hiroki Kuroda RHP (0-0, 0.00 ERA this season)
(Hiroki Kuroda against the Red Sox: Click Here)

Enjoy the game!