Pettitte is perfect into seventh inning

BALTIMORE — Andy Pettitte retired the first 20 batters he faced before a seventh-inning sequence spoiled his perfect game and no-hit bid, and the New York Yankees defeated the Baltimore Orioles, 5-1, Monday night.

Pettitte (12-6) was poised to finish the seventh inning without allowing a baserunner, but former Oriole Jerry Hairston Jr. let a two-out grounder by Adam Jones slip through his legs at third base for an error.

Nick Markakis followed with a single inside the third base line.

After Melvin Mora led off the eighth with a home run, Pettitte retired the side in order. Brian Bruney gave up a walk and a hit in the ninth before Mariano Rivera came on to earn his 37th save and career-best 33rd in a row.