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Yankees need Pettitte to return to form

Sep 10, 2008 - 10:07 AM NY Yankees (77-68) at LA Angels (87-57) 3:35 p.m. EDT

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The New York Yankees desperately need Andy Pettitte to return form if they have any chances of keeping their fleeting playoff hopes alive.

Pettitte and the Yankees try to earn the series victory when they meet the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for the finale on Wednesday.

Pettitte (13-12, 4.49 ERA) has been one of the most consistent starters for New York this season, but has fallen apart at the wrong time. The 36-year-old lefthander has posted a 7.50 ERA in losing each of his last three starts and hasn't won since August 20.

After surrendering six runs in back-to-back losses, Pettitte wound up on the wrong side of Brandon Morrow's no-hit bid during his last start. He allowed three runs and seven hits in seven innings, tying a season-high with nine strikeouts, but suffered a 3-1 loss to the Seattle Mariners as the Yankees managed two hits.

"I'm just extremely disappointed with the way that the team has performed, personally, when I take the mound," Pettitte said. "I take it hard. I expect to win whether we're scoring runs or not. I feel like I should do my job and I need to shut somebody down."

Pettitte is 12-7 with a 4.37 ERA in 24 career starts against the Angels, but is 0-1 with a 8.76 ERA in two outings against them this season.

Dustin Moseley (1-4, 7.90) counters for the Angels, who can clinch the American League West title with a win combined with a Texas Rangers loss to the Seattle Mariners.