Yankees End Losing Streak

For the first time in almost two years, the New York Yankees needed a stopper and Andy Pettitte was just that.

Pettitte (2-1) held Chicago to one run in six innings and Chili Davis hit a two-run homer as the New York Yankees ended their five-game losing streak Sunday with a 2-1 victory over the White Sox.

"This is probably as good as I've been this year," said Pettitte, who won his second straight decision following the first three-game losing skid of his career. "I was aggressive (and) I pitched with a lot of confidence."

The Yankees' losing streak was their longest since September 1997 when they lost six straight. Their five-game home skid was their longest on one homestand since September 1990.

"It could end up being a good wake up call for us," said Davis, who hit his team-leading ninth homer off Mike Sirotka (1-5) in the second after Bernie Williams led off with a single.

The Yankees wasted strong starts by David Cone and Hideki Irabu in losing back-to-back shutouts to Anaheim earlier this week. In the first two games against the White Sox, New York scored six runs, but the pitchers allowed 20 runs.

Pettitte allowed seven hits and one walk while striking out four to improve to 5-0 against the White Sox at Yankee Stadium. He left the bases loaded in the sixth and stranded two Chicago runners twice.

"I felt like I had pretty good stuff. I was able to make some pitches today when I got into trouble," said Pettitte, who started the season on the disabled list with a strained left elbow.

Jason Grimsley pitched two innings and Mariano Rivera earned his 10th save with a perfect ninth.

"We got some breaks today, no question about it," said interim Yankees manager Don Zimmer. "We just kept getting out of the innings without giving up runs."

Three Chicago baserunning blunders made it easier for Pettitte and the Yankees. Mike Caruso (in the first) and Magglio Ordonez (in the sixth) were caught wandering on infield grounders. Pettitte picked Brook Fordyce off first in the fifth.

"We made some mistakes on the base that cost us opportunities. Hopefully we'll learn from those things," White Sox manager Jerry Manuel said.

Sirotka pitched his second complete game of the year, allowing eight hits in eight innings. He struck out four and walked none.

The White Sox took a 1-0 lead in the first when Ray Durham led off with a triple and scored on Frank Thomas' RBI groundout.

Chicago threatened in the second but Pettitte got Durham on a groundout with runners at the corners to end the inning.

In the fifth, Pettitte worked out of a two-on, none-out jam. He picked off Fordyce and retired Durham on a comebacker. After shortstop Derek Jeter's error on Caruso's grounder putting runners on first and third Pettitte struck out Thomas to end the threat.

"This guy (Pettitte) has pitched so many tough innings and gotten out of so many tough jams for us," Zimmer said.

Ordonez doubled leading off the sixth and Paul Konerko singled, sending Ordonez to third. Darrin Jackson hit a tapper in front of the plate and catcher Joe Girardi threw Ordonez out trying to get back to third.

After Carlos Lee flied out, Craig Wilson's infield single loaded the bases but Fordyce lined out to third baseman Scott Brosius.

Notes: