Sweep city

The Oakland Athletics' offense might have had something to do with this, but Andy Pettitte pitched like an ace this afternoon, as the Yankees won 2-1 and swept the three-game series.

Pettitte (11-7) struck out nine, allowed four hits and one earned run and walked none over eight innings and 114 pitches. He also threw 68% of his pitches for strikes.

Robinson Cano went 2-for-4 and is now 8-for-14 in the three games since the All-Star break. His is a career .338 hitter after, so this shouldn't come as a shock. Jason Giambi also added two hits, including the go-ahead solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie.

Mariano Rivera closed the door in the ninth for his 24th save of the season. There was a wild play in the ninth. With a runner on first, Bobby Abreu dropped a fly ball as he was fighting the sun. He then overthrew Derek Jeter at second base trying to force out Ryan Sweeney. Alex Rodriguez backed up the play and flipped to Jeter to force out Sweeney just in time.

With the victory, the Yankees sit at 53-45. This is the first time they are eight games over .500 this season. They will continue the homestand with a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins that starts tomorrow night.