Yanks Go Yard Recap: Cobb Cools New York Yankee Bats

Andy Pettitte looked like he did when he was 25 years old. The problem was Alex Cobb was better. Pettitte gave up three runs, two earned with 10 strikeouts over six innings. Cobb only gave up three hits and almost went all the way and the Rays beat the Yankees 3-0.

Apr 24, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Andy Pettitte (46) reacts in the dugout between inning pitching against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

It all started innocently enough in the fifth inning, when Pettitte hit Jose Molina with a pitch. Kelly Johnson followed with a single, and when Brennan Boesch committed an error, Molina was able to advance to third and Johnson went to second. After two strikeouts, Ben Zobrist singled both runners in. In the bottom of the sixth, Sean Rodriguez hit his first homer of the year.

The Yankees best chance came in the ninth. With one out, Brett Gardner singled and that would be it for Cobb. Fernando Rodney came in and gave up a single to Ichiro Suzuki. Robinson Cano grounded out but advanced both runners. Travis Hafner popped out to end the game.

The Yankees return home to open a four game weekend series against the Toronto Blue Jays. Hiroki Kuroda and Mark Buehrle face off at 7:05. These two faced off this past weekend.

Notes: Curtis Granderson took 15 indoor swings today. He could move to outdoor BP next week and then will begin a rehab assignment. A weird story from today. Jose Valverde said the Yankees offered him a major league deal during the winter. Brian Cashman said no to reporters, three times, that they made no such offer.