Jeter’s hit beats Rays 4-3
ST. PETERSBURG (AP) – The road-weary New York Yankees headed to their new home on a high note.
Andy Pettitte pitched into the eighth inning, Robinson Cano hit a two-run homer and Derek Jeter singled in the go-ahead run in the ninth to lead the Yankees over the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 Wednesday.
Jeter also doubled in the eighth and scored the tying run on Johnny Damon’s double off J.P. Howell. He delivered the tiebreaking run against Troy Percival (0-1) following a one-out double to Cody Ransom.
New York concluded a nine-game, opening trip and return home for Thursday’s debut of the $1.5 billion new Yankee Stadium, across 161st Street from the House that Ruth Built. CC Sabathia makes his first home start in pinstripes against his former team, the Cleveland Indians.
“It always seems as though the season doesn’t really officially start until you have your home opener,” Jeter said before the game. “I’m sure it’s like that for most teams.”
Pettitte, who allowed three runs and six hits in 7 1/3 innings, pitched the final game in the old ballpark last year, but it wasn’t his turn to pitch the opener in the new one.
He has been tough on Tampa Bay, going 15-4 in 25 career starts. At one point he won 12 consecutive decisions, though the Rays have fared better against him lately.
Brian Bruney (1-0) struck out the only two batters he faced to get the win. Mariano Rivera worked a perfect ninth for his second save.
B.J. Upton and Carl Crawford delivered RBI doubles for Tampa Bay in the third.