Yanks Move Into First Place On Strength Of Pettitte, Aceves

On Friday night in Cleveland, the Yankees got a gritty performance from Andy Pettitte, a gutsy relief effort from Alfredo Aceves, and just enough from the offense to defeat the Indians 3 to 1 and take sole possession of first place in the American League East...

Pettitte, didn't have his best stuff and experienced some back trouble, but managed nonetheless to pitch 5 innings of 1 run ball--good enough for the win...

Aceves, who relieved Pettitte in the 6th, found himself in a high pressure situation. Although he inherited runners on 1st and 2nd with no one out and a 2-0 count on the hitter, he weathered the storm allowing only one run to score...he went on to pitch a scoreless 7th and 8th as well...

Again and again, Aceves has shown he's got nerves of steel...this guy is the kind of tough competitor we've been lacking in the bullpen for some time--besides Mo of course!

Additional Notes:

The Yankees offense managed to get 10 hits but only 3 runs...on this night it was enough...

Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada had 2 hits apiece...

Mariano Rivera got the save...

Tomorrow CC Sabathia will take the hill...

Let's Go Yanks!!!!!

ESPN.com has Friday night's box score and video highlights: