New York Yankees batter Jason Giambi (C) celebrates with runner Alex Rodriguez (13) after passing Seattle Mariners catcher Kenji Johjima (R) at home plate after he hit a three-run home run in the second inning of their American League MLB baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, May 24, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters File Photo)
“A-Rod’s (Rodriguez) picking us up, Jorge (Posada) is picking us up behind me. It definitely feels like we’re really starting to put it together.”
New York has now won 10 of 13 games and had little difficulty with the sloppy Padres, who slipped 10 games under .500 and did not help their cause by making three errors.
In other interleague games, it was: Red Sox 3, Phillies 0; Orioles 6, Astros 5; Rays 3, Cubs 2; Brewers 7, Blue Jays 0; Rangers 7, Braves 5; Twins 2, Nationals 1; White Sox 16, Pirates 5; Royals 2, Cardinals 1; Rockies 10, Indians 2; Athletics 15, Diamondbacks 1; Angels 6, Mets 1; Mariners 5, Marlins 4; and Tigers 5, Giants 1.
In the National League, it was: Dodgers 3, Reds 1.
In New York, Andy Pettitte (7-5) allowed just five hits in seven shutout innings, striking out nine and walking one, and earned praise from manager Joe Girardi.
“Any time Andy takes the mound, we expect a quality performance,” Girardi said.
“We’re so used to seeing it. That’s how you get to be fourth all-time on the Yankee list (for victories), and he even took a three-year sabbatical.
“He’s one of the guys that we’ve been counting on.”
Pettitte passed former pitching coach Ron Guidry for fourth place with his 171st win for the Yankees.
Coincidentally, it was the 30th anniversary of Guidry’s 18-strikeout game against the California Angels at Yankee Stadium, a club record.
Pettitte, who owns a 208-118 career mark and improved to 4-0 in his past six starts, has allowed one run over 15 innings in his past two starts since giving up 10 in a no-decision against Kansas City on June 7.
He was pleased to have been given a 7-0 lead.
“With our offense, you don’t have to throw eight shutout innings,” Pettitte said. “It’s a lot easier when you get the kind of support we’ve been getting from our bats lately.”
Rodriguez and Giambi both hit solo homers in the second inning off loser Randy Wolf (5-5), while Giambi hit a two-run shot in the five-run, fourth inning that ended Wolf’s game.
“When you can’t throw your fastball where you want, you know it’s going to be a tough day,” Wolf said.
Derek Jeter drove in two runs for the Yankees, who remained 5 1/2 games behind the American League East-leading Boston Red Sox, who beat the Philadelphia Phillies 3-0.
(Source: Shanghai Daily/Agencies)