Andy Pettitte took a perfect game into the 7th inning before a two out Jerry Hairston Jr. error and a Nick Markakis single took both away, causing Andy Pettitte to have to settle for his 26th career win against the Orioles.
There's not much to say about the offense tonight. They hacked and flailed at Pettite's pitches all night, looking wholly incompetent. In the 7th inning, with 20 straight Orioles retired, Adam Jones hit a ground ball to 3B Jerry Hairston. The ball with right through Hairston's legs, and Pettitte's perfect game was history. Nick Markakis followed that with an opposite field single and there went the no-hitter. For the first time the Orioles were in business, but Nolan Reimold grounded out to end the inning. The O's only run came when Melvin Mora hit his 6th HR in the 8th inning, making Pettite's final line: 8 IP, 2 H, 1 R 0 BB, 8 K.
Not as effective but still rather impressive all things considered was Jeremy Guthrie's game. Guthrie allowed just two hits through the first four innings, but unfortunately one of those was a home run to Nick Swisher. Guthrie really struggled in the 5th, as the inning started off with back-to-back doubles by Robinson Cano and Swisher to give the Yankees their second run of the game. Guthrie then hit Jerry Hairston to put runners at first and second with zero outs, but escaped with a Melky Cabrera groundout and GIDP by Derek Jeter. Guthrie came back for the 6th with a 1-2-3 inning but his pitch count didn't allow him to go any deeper into the game.
With Guthrie out, Mark Hendrickson came in to try and hold the deficit at 2 runs. He was unsuccessful, giving up three runs in the 8th on four hits. Brian Bass relieved Hendo and finished the game.
The Yankees sent Bruney to the mound in the 9th to close it out, but he couldn't do his job. He walked Brian Roberts and gave up a single to Adam Jones. Just like in a game earlier this year, Mariano Rivera had to come in to clean up Bruney's mess. He retired Markakis and Reimold to end the game and earn his 37th save of the year.
You can put this one in the loss column. O's and Yanks face off again tomorrow, David Hernandez vs. A.J. Burnett.