A pair of players who were vital cogs in the last dynasty to occupy the old Yankee Stadium made sure Wednesday the Yankees would enter their new digs on a high note.
Andy Pettitte threw 7 1/3 strong innings and Derek Jeter scored the tying run in the eighth inning and drove in the game-winner with a two-out RBI single in the ninth as the Yankees edged the Rays 4-3 in St. Petersburg, Fla. "We look forward to breaking in a new ballpark," Pettitte said afterward. "It's gong to be an exciting day for us."
Just how long Pettitte and Jeter -- who were on all four of the franchise's four World Series-winning teams between 1996 and 2000 -- will get to play in the new Yankee Stadium has been a popular topic of debate among New York fans. Pettitte, 37, and the Yankees had a contentious contract standoff this winter before he finally agreed to a one-year deal worth $5.5 million in late January.
And there's already speculation about the delicate situation approaching between the Yankees and Jeter, the 34-year-old captain who is probably the club's most beloved player since Mickey Mantle. Jeter is signed through 2010, when he should be on the doorstep of his 3,000th hit, but his declining range at shortstop and the unlikelihood that the Yankees will be able to shift him to another position means it's no sure thing the pinstriped legend will get to finish his career in the Bronx.
Their futures may be uncertain, but Pettitte and Jeter have played as if they have plenty left in the tank thus far this season. Pettitte allowed three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out four and lasting at least seven innings for the second straight start, the first time he has done that since he threw seven innings in three straight starts last Aug. 10-20.
Jeter, meanwhile, already has two homers -- he didn't homer at all last April and didn't hit his second round-tripper until May 17 -- and has lived up to his reputation as a clutch player by going 4-for-4 with both homers and six RBIs with two outs and a runner in scoring position.
YANKEES 4, RAYS 3: Derek Jeter scored the tying run in the eighth inning and drove home the game-winner with an RBI single in the ninth Wednesday as the Yankees came back to edge the Rays in the finale of a three-game series. The win, the second in a row for the Yankees, improves their record to 5-4 heading into their first game at the new Yankee Stadium on Thursday. Jeter was 2-for-4, while Johnny Damon was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Robinson Cano was 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in the fourth inning. Andy Pettitte allowed three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out four in 7 1/3 innings, and Brian Bruney earned the win by striking out both batters he faced in the eighth.
