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This was a time-machine performance last night for Andy Pettitte at Yankee Stadium, and if things continue to go right for the left-hander, he could be around in pinstripes in 2013, too.
Pettitte willed himself back to 1996. The focus and stare were there and so were the strikeouts as the Comeback Kid threw eight shutout innings over the Reds in a spectacular 4-0 win.
This is only May, but it was a big game for the Yankees. Big Game Andy responded with nine strikeouts, one walk and allowed only four harmless singles.
Asked if he would consider pitching another season, Pettitte did not rule out the possibility of returning in 2013.
Paul J. Bereswill
Raul Ibanez and the Yankees' bats did enough to lift the Bombers to a 4-0 win over Reds.
“I don’t know,” he told The Post. “I know I’m committed to this year. We’ll just have to see how it works out. I have to pray about it and talk to my family. It’s a huge deal. We’ll just have to see.’’
YANKEES BOX SCORE
Certainly, if his body holds up, anything is possible because Pettitte is having a blast. Pettitte had not won in the regular season since July 8, 2010, in Seattle, a 3-1 victory in which he gave up one run over eight innings.
Although his fastball topped out at 88 mph, he worked well with backup catcher Chris Stewart. Pettitte dearly loves the competition, and he’s having the time of his life — again.
“Big league Ws are precious,’’ Pettitte said. “I felt good. everything was working.’’
Most importantly, Pettitte was able to relax in his second comeback start.
“I was able to throw everything I wanted to tonight, both sides of the plate,’’ he added. “I was able to do whatever I wanted to do out there.’’
The win was masterful, granted it came against the Reds, a run-of-the-mill team from the NL Central. Interleague play could not have come at a better time for the Yankees. All you needed to know was that the punchless Reds had Miguel Cairo as the designated hitter.
This was a game the Yankees had to have and Pettitte was once again there for them.
The Yankees need to get on a roll, and this is the perfect time in the schedule. Beginning with the Reds, the next five series are against teams that started the night with a combined 89-101 record. If the Yankees don’t make a move now, it’s going to be a long, hot summer in The Bronx.
For the first time since 1992, the Yankees and Red Sox are at the bottom of the AL East. That is shocking, considering the payrolls of the two ballclubs.
Alex Rodriguez told The Post: “We’ve got to get it going.’’
The Yankees still have serious issues hitting with runners in scoring position. Over the last six games, they are a horrendous 3-for-48 with runners in scoring position.
But at least now they have Pettitte back in the win column. It will be fascinating to see how he bounces back from this 115-pitch effort. In less than a month, Pettitte will turn 40 years old.
His will and his focus set Pettitte apart in an era when so many pitchers don’t grasp what pitching is all about.
“That has a lot to do with it,’’ Girardi said. “Focus is making one pitch at a time, and if something goes wrong behind you, it’s letting it go. And Andy has always been really good at that. He’s always been good at getting out of innings by getting double plays and making pitches. That’s an art. You have to learn how to do that. And Andy understands he has to control his emotions. He’s been through it so many times.’’
Pettitte is as much an artist as he is a pitcher. If his success and health continue, Pettitte’s time machine could run beyond this season.
After all, he’s now come back to throw eight shutout innings. Why stop there? Big league Ws are precious, you know.
kevin.kernan@nypost.com
Andy Pettitte, Pettitte, Big Game Andy, The Yankees, shutout innings, shutout innings
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