Astros pound Yanks in Opener.

They never said that it would be easy for the Yankees this season. They also forgot to mention that it wouldn't be easy to take care of business againt the Houston Astros even with Andy Pettitte on the mound.

That was the case Monday night as the Astros were able to jump on Pettitte early and often scoring 3 runs in the 1st inning, 2 in the 4th, and 5 in the 5th to to easily defeat the Yankees 9-1 in the Bronx.

It just wasn't Pettitte's night as he was able to get the first two hitters of the game out, but then ran into some trouble once the next 5 Astros hitter eached base, all with 2 outs.

Carlos Pena singled to right scoring Brandon Laird, then Carlos Corporan doubled to right plating 2 more runs to quickly push Houston's lead to 3-0.

Pettitte was able to settle down for the next 2 innings until in the 4th when Laird doubled over Vernon Wells in left to drive in 2 more runs increasing the Astros lead to 5-0.

After alloing two more hts to start the 5th inning, Girardi coulndn't handle it anymore as he pulled the 40-year old Pettitte to bring in the young righty Adam Warren.

Facing only one batter, arrn threw a wild pitch allowing a run to score form 3rd, then just a couple pitches later Corporan lined a 2-run homerun in to the right field stands pulling the Astros well ahead at 9-0.

Just an overall tough night for Pettitte as he allowed 7 runs over 4 1/ innings, surrendering a season high 10 hits, 1 walk, and 3 strikeouts. Warren wet 1 1/3 giving up 2 runs on 3 hits. And Vidal Nuno made his Major League debut tonight as he went 3 shutout inning while only allowing 4 hits.

The only Yankee run of the night was in the 6th when Vernon Wells blooped a ball into left field scoring Brett Gardner to put the Yankees on the board for the only time Monday night.

The Yankees had a tough time hitting the ball to night as it showed on the scoreboard ad just couldn't get anything going against Lucus Harrell as e tossed 6 1/3 inning, allowig only 1 run on 8 hits. Harrell as able to indu 10 groundball outs from the Yankees without 1 flyball.

Houston's bullpen was able to shutdown the Yankees offense for the other 2 2/3 innings, as it didn't allow a single hit.

Kevin Youkilis was once againout of the Yankees lineup after undergoing an MRI on Mondy that later cme back negaive, though he will get an epidual. The Yankees are still discussing whether or not t place Youk on the DL.

These two teams will be right back at it on Tuesday with Hiroki Kuroda and Philip Humber squaring off at 7:05 ET.

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