Rasner picks up win for Yankees

Appeal Staff Report

Darrell Rasner wasn't perfect, but the 1999 Carson High graduate was just good enough to return to the win column.

Rasner outdueled San Diego Padres ace Jake Peavy as the New York Yankees beat the Padres 8-5 on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium.

The right-hander limited San Diego to two runs on three hits over five innings, striking out four " all in the first two innings " and walking a season-high five, after not issuing more than two free passes in any professional start this year.

Rasner (4-4) needed just 27 pitches to get through the first two innings but labored during a 41-pitch third inning in which he allowed two runs. Edgar Gonzalez drove a double to left-center that brought home Khalil Greene and Luke Carlin to make it 3-2.

Rasner, though limited the damage to two runs by leaving the bases loaded and that was all Rasner allowed, posting his first victory since May 21 vs. Baltimore.

Rasner rebounded from a poor outing last week at Oakland. "I struggled with my command, but most of the hitters bailed me out tonight," Rasner said. "They did a great job. We had some great plays behind me. It's always nice to get back in the win column. It seemed like it's been a long time. It feels good, absolutely."

Rasner (4-4) was finished after throwing 96 pitches through five innings. "It wasn't as smooth as most of his starts have been, but he did a nice job giving up just the two runs in five innings and he gave us a shot to win," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.