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Pettitte looks to continue domination of Pirates

Jun 8, 2007 - 2:31 PM Pittsburgh (26-34) at NY Yankees (27-31) 7:05 pm EDT

BRONX, New York (Ticker) -- Even though he has never faced the Pittsburgh Pirates while in pinstripes, Andy Pettitte seems to have their number.

The New York Yankees kick off a three-game interleague series with the Pirates in Yankee Stadium on Friday.

Pettitte (3-4, 2.96 ERA) has won five straight starts against Pittsburgh, and is 7-1 with a 2.54 ERA in all-time eight outings against the National League squad.

The veteran lefthander had been dealing with back spasms following his last start on Sunday against the Red Sox. In that outing, he tied a season high by surrendering five runs over 4 1/3 innings, marking just the second time Pettitte failed to pitch at least five frames against Boston.

Outside of his two meetings against the Red Sox and a four-inning outing in his first start of the season, the lefthander has pitched at least six frames in every start.

The Yankees have won their last three games following a 10-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. Alex Rodriguez blew open a one-run game in the ninth inning with a grand slam, his league-leading 22nd homer of the season.

Tom Gorzelanny (6-3, 2.53), who is fifth in the NL in ERA, will get the call in his first start against the Yankees. He has given up two runs or less in nine of his 12 starts this year, including six of his last seven outings.

The only time he did not reach that mark over the seven-outing stretch was in his last start, as he surrendered three runs and seven hits over 6 2/3 innings but did not receive a decision in a 5-4 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Pirates are coming off a series win over the Washington Nationals after posting a 3-2 victory in Thursday's rubber game. Jason Bay hit a go-ahead homer off closer Chad Cordero in the ninth.