Andy and Mo Shine In Win

The Associated Press

It's been said for several weeks now that the Yankees would need to rely on pitching to secure wins in the absence of their superstar offense. After losing the first two games to the Red Sox, their pitch staff came through tonight in a big way to secure their first win of the 2013 season.

And it's only fitting that tonight's great pitching came off of veterans Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera.

In their 69th win/save combination, Andy and Mo were able to control the Red Sox offense, leading the Yankees to a 4-2 win and preventing what could have been their first sweep of the season.

Andy pitched 8 straight innings of stellar baseball, out-duelling righty Ryan Dempster by mixing all four of his pitches--fastball, curveball, changeup and slider--with exceptional placement and control. In the first, it seemed as though he might have a rough night, giving up two singles to Shane Victorino and Mike Napoli and then throwing a wild pitch that got past catcher Francisco Cervelli. On the wild pitch, Victorino attempted to score, only to be stopped by a fast-acting Cervelli who was able to recover the ball and make it to the plate in enough time to block it and get Victorino for the final out. Andy rolled from there.  He would end the game giving up only one run, two walks and three strikeouts.

In the ninth, Mo also struggled a bit, giving up a walk to Dustin Pedroia who would eventually score

The Associated Press

on a groundout by Will Middlebrroks. But Mo settled in, getting his first save of the season by catching Jackie Bradley, Jr. looking on his signature fastball cutter.

And the offense came through for the veterans in a big way. Lyle Overbay hit a 2-run single in the second inning, scoring Travis Hafner and Eduardo Nunez. Brett Gardner came through in the third with a first pitch, line-drive home run to right field. And Cervelli gave the Yankees their final run in the seventh with a monster home run to left center.

Tomorrow, the Yankees travel to Detroit to face the Tigers. Ivan Nova will get the start against Doug Fister. Game time is 1 pm.

Follow Rasheeda Cooper on twitter: @ra_cooper