Pettitte Leaves Game Early With Injury

By: Stephen Patterson

New York Yankees' All-Star pitcher Andy Pettitte left Sunday's game against Tampa Bay with a groin injury. The extent of the injury is unknown, but it doesn't appear to be serious and is believed to only be a strain. Pettitte left the game in the third inning and was replaced by reliever David Robertson. 

This was Pettitte's shortest outing since July 1, 2007 against Oakland. He had pitched at least five innings in all of his previous 17 starts this season. He is 11-2 with 2.88 ERA so far this season, his best first half of his career. Pettitte is the second consecutive starter for New York to leave early, as A.J. Burnett had a rough outing yesterday before injuring his hands pushing the clubhouse doors during a tantrum and had to exit the game.

Pettitte gave up three runs on six hits, walked three and also hit one batter in 2 1/3 innings before leaving the  game. He was given a no decision, however, because Mark Teixeira hit an RBI single in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at 3-3. The Yankees have since started to pull away from the Rays in the game, as they currently are leading 7-3 in the top of the sixth inning.