Just Like Old Times: Pettitte, Rivera Team Up to Deliver World Series Berth

NEW YORK -- No starter/reliever pair has combined to lock down more games with the win and the save than Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera.

So why not one more, for old time's sake?

"It happens an awful lot, that's for sure," a champagne-drenched Pettitte said early Monday morning.

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The Yankees on Sunday returned to the World Series on the backs of their stalwarts, with Pettitte and Rivera combining to get all but two outs in their 5-2 defeat of the Angels.

Pettitte, 37, and Rivera, 39, were on the Yankees dynasty teams of 1996-2000, and current manager Joe Girardi caught them both back then.

So he trusted them completely. "These guys have been doing it a long time," Girardi said, "and I had a chance to watch them do it in 1996 and be a part of it in the big games that they were involved in. These two really know how to pitch this time of year."

Of all the head-scratching moves Girardi made in the ALCS, his choice of Pettitte for Game 6 after Saturday's rainout was not one of them. There was no reason not to start Pettitte and try to keep fellow left-hander CC Sabathia ready for Games 1, 4 and 7 of the World Series.

"We stayed with our plan," Girardi said. "We were going to use CC in Game 7 if we needed it. We didn't need it. And now we have him for Game 1 [of the World Series], and that's good for us."

Pettitte rewarded Girardi's faith with a strong effort. He allowed the Angels one run in 6 1/3 innings, striking out six.

"Difference-maker -- he really was," catcher Jorge Posada said. "He gave us a chance to win. He did everything right."

And even though Pettitte allowed two hits in the sixth inning, Girardi left him in to start the seventh with a two-run lead and right-handed hitters Howie Kendrick and Juan Rivera due up. Girardi could have gone to Phil Hughes, and he had Joba Chamberlain warming, but he sent Pettitte back out to the mound.

Unlike the Game 5 decision to leave A.J. Burnett in, this one didn't backfire.


Kendrick lined out before Rivera singled. Then Chamberlain got out of the inning, clearing the way for Rivera's first two-inning save since July 16, 2006.

"We felt we could use him for 35, 40 -- 45 pitches if we needed to," Girardi said.

So Girardi and his staff had decided before the game that Rivera was good for two full innings.

"No doubt," said Rivera, who has 13 postseason six-out saves. "That was important in my agenda. I was ready."

Rivera needed 21 pitches in the eighth as he allowed a run, but he got a 1-2-3 ninth for his 37th postseason save.

It clinched Pettitte's 16th postseason win, breaking his tie with John Smoltz for most all-time. Pettitte has also won five series clinchers, more than any other pitcher.

"He's been there for so many years," Rivera said. "So many years."

Pettitte's seven career LCS wins are second all-time to Dave Stewart's eight. Rivera's moved alone into first place in career LCS saves with 12 (Dennis Eckersley had 11).

And although they have been through many champagne celebrations together, they enjoyed this one just as much. As the Yankees exchanged hugs in the infield shortly after Rivera struck out Gary Matthews Jr. to end the series, Rivera was bouncing up and down, a grin plastered on his face.

"One thing about this game," Girardi said, "you never know when it's going to be your last game. And I think they're cherishing every moment."