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Giambi homers as Yankees avoid sweep

May 29, 2008 - 3:44 AM By Sean Burns PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

BALTIMORE(Ticker) - After a five-hour, nine-home run marathon the previous night, things went much better for starting pitchers Andy Pettitte and Jeremy Guthrie on Wednesday at Camden Yards.

Though both put together fine outings, it was Pettitte who came away victorious, as the New York Yankees salvaged the last of the three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles, 4-2.

Pettitte lasted into the seventh, allowing eight hits and two runs while retiring six of the last seven batters he faced before giving way to Joba Chamberlain with two outs and nobody on.

"My four-seamer was working nice and I had a decent cutter, so I worked with that," Pettitte said. "Both of them were riding good, and I was able to throw strikes."

The win evened Pettitte's record at 5-5, with four of the victories coming on the road. It also was his 24th career win against the Orioles - eight more than he has against any other team.

"They're a great team, and I've had to pitch a lot against (Baltimore)," he said. "I don't take it for granted...I've also had plenty of times where they got to me, and you remember those just as much as the wins."

Guthrie (2-6) was nearly as solid, lasting seven innings and allowing three runs. He surrendered six hits and walked none.

Jason Giambi was responsible for the first two New York runs, singling home Hideki Matsui in the second and hitting a monster solo home run in the fourth.

The blast, which tied the game after Baltimore had pulled ahead on a two-run shot by Melvin Mora, traveled an estimated 410 feet to right field, clearing the bleachers and landing on Eutaw Street. It was the second time in as many days Giambi reached the concourse beyond the rear fence.

"(Giambi has been) having great at-bats all season, it's just been working out a little better for him lately," Yankee manager Joe Girardi said of Giambi, who leads the team with 11 home runs and is second with 27 RBI.

New York scored the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly by Derek Jeter, which scored Melky Cabrera in the fifth, then added an insurance run on Johnny Damon's single in the top of the ninth.

Baltimore's bats had little success outside of Mora and Brian Roberts, who combined for six of the team's 10 hits.

"With the Yankees, you can't wait until the end," Mora said. "We've got to give (our pitchers) more run support. That gives them a chance to throw their pitches."

Rookie phenom Chamberlain, who is being converted to a starter, finished the seventh and eighth innings before giving way to Mariano Rivera, who converted his 13th save in as many chances.

"Joba did a great job of closing it out," said Pettitte of the fireballing relief pitcher, who was scheduled to throw 50-55 pitches as he works up to become a starter.

"He's in a tough position, coming in to set up and get work in at the same time."

Chamberlain wound up throwing 28 pitches in just over an inning of work, finishing his evening in the bullpen.