Yankees Win, 9-5, But Lose Pettitte For 4-5 Weeks

(Sports Network) - A pair of All-Star pitchers go head-to-head today, as David Price and the Tampa Bay Rays conclude a three-game set with Andy Pettitte and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

The 24-year-old Price recently earned his first starting gig in the All-Star game, where he tossed two scoreless innings. The former No.1 overall draft pick will now attempt to become the AL's first 13-game winner.

Price's last start before the break was on July 7th, when he allowed two earned runs and eight hits through 7 2/3 innings of a 6-4 win over Boston. The left-hander walked just one and struck out 10 in the triumph.

In his career against the Yankees, Price has posted a 2-0 record and a 2.56 ERA over five appearances - four starts. He last faced New York on April 9th, allowing three runs and striking out seven in 7 2/3 innings of a 9-3 victory at home.

As for Pettitte, he relieved Price in the mid-summer showcase with another scoreless frame, but the AL side still suffered a 3-1 defeat.

The veteran left-hander has won three consecutive decisions, tossing eight strong innings in a 3-1 triumph over Seattle in his last start on July 8th. He gave up just five hits and fanned nine in the outing.

Pettitte has made 29 career starts versus the Rays, going 16-6 with a 4.08 ERA during that stretch. He, however, is just 3-5 with a 5.34 ERA in his past 10 starts versus them. Pettitte's last start against Tampa Bay didn't go so well either, as he gave up seven runs - six earned - in five innings of an 8-6 loss on May 20th.

The Yankees will need Pettitte to be sharp to slow down Tampa Bay's potent lineup, which posted 13 hits in a 10-5 victory on Saturday.

Reid Brignac notched his first career multi-homer game, blasting two and driving in a career-high five, as Tampa Bay spoiled the 64th annual Old- Timers' Day at Yankee Stadium. Brignac had just three career home runs in 101 contests before Saturday's outburst.

"It was a good day. We needed this win today. I was fortunate enough to get a couple bit hits," Brignac said. "I'm just happy about the day. I'm just happy about the win. It was a big win for our team. You've got to give credit to other guys."

Carlos Pena added a homer among a season-high four hits and drove in three runs, while Evan Longoria went 2-for-4 and scored three times.

Jeff Niemann (8-2) was the beneficiary of the run support after allowing four runs, six hits and four walks while fanning six in 6 1/3 frames. He moved to 5-0 in nine road starts this season, as the Rays won for the ninth time in 11 games.

Mark Teixeira and Jorge Posada both homered, while Brett Gardner hit a two-run single for the Yankees, who had won nine of their previous 10.

A.J. Burnett (7-8) lasted just two-plus innings before leaving with lacerations on his throwing hand, and gave up four runs and four hits in defeat.

"I double-pushed the (plexiglass) door -- very lightly -- and had a cut on my hand on both hands," Burnett said of how the injury occurred. "I didn't know what to say at first, and (that's why I initially lied about what happened), but later I felt it'd be better to tell the truth to everybody."

Tampa has taken four of the first seven meetings with the Yankees this season.