MLB

Pettitte shines in opener, Ichiro stars in nightcap as Yankees take two

ANDY’S DANDY: Andy Pettitte reacts after inducing a double play in the third inning of yesterday’s 4-2 victory over the Blue Jays in the first game of a day-night doubleheader. (
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How does five scoreless innings trump seven hits, a game-saving catch and driving in the winning run in the second of two games in the same day by one man?

When it’s Andy Pettitte rejoining the Yankees rotation after missing three months and offering five blanks in the first of two victories over the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium.

That doesn’t mean Ichiro Suzuki’s seven hits in eight at-bats, four stolen bases and acrobatic catch didn’t contribute to the Yankees winning the opener, 4-2, and the nightcap, 2-1.

“They both were vital for us. [Ichiro] was healthy, and we knew he could be huge for us when we traded for him,’’ manager Joe Girardi said when asked who provided the bigger lift. “But to get Andy back in the rotation is very important as we go down the stretch here with 14 games to go, and basically a lead of one game in the loss column. And the experience is important as well, and you get it with both of them.’’

The victories leave the Yankees a half-game up on the Orioles, who beat the Mariners 3-1 in 11 innings last night in Seattle.

In his first game since June 27 because of a fractured left ankle, Pettitte allowed four hits, two walks, fanned three and left after 75 pitches in the opener.

“All in all it was good. I feel my command wasn’t as sharp as I would have liked it to have been,’’ Pettitte said. “My arm feels great and my break area feels great. I am 100 percent. I have to get my legs back in shape.”

Any time a 40-year-old pitcher returns from a three-month absence and throws five scoreless frames, it’s encouraging.

GAME ONE BOX SCORE

GAME TWO BOX SCORE

David Phelps allowed a run and three hits in 6 2/3 innings in the second game, but the evening belonged to Ichiro.

“I haven’t done anything differently today,’’ said Ichiro, whose two-out single in the eighth drove in the eventual winning run. “I don’t know what the difference was. It was a very good day, but it’s over.’’

Rafael Soriano notched saves in both games and has 42 in 45 chances.

The Blue Jays’ lineup was weak, but Pettitte navigated through five inning and added fuel to the belief that he can be the difference.

Is it enough to win down the stretch and in the postseason? At this point there is so much confidence in Pettitte from every level of the organization, there is a feeling that everything is OK with the left-hander on the mound.

There is nothing wrong with that because Pettitte (4-3) leads active pitchers with 244 wins, is tied with Jack Powell for 50th place on the all-time list. Yet, he is 40, has been off for three months and he will face tougher lineups in the postseason than upcoming starts against the Twins and Blue Jays.

“We know we are in a dog fight. We are not worried about what [Baltimore] is doing,’’ Pettitte said of the Orioles. “We need to win games and we will be fine.’’

Pettitte left after five innings with a 3-0 lead. Clay Rapada, Derek Lowe, Joba Chamberlain and Boone Logan made that stand up through the seventh. Then David Robertson put a torch to the fine bullpen effort in the eighth when he gave up three straight hits to start the inning and four in five batters.

Soriano added a walk to Anthony Gose, the No. 9 hitter, to load the bases with two outs and the Yankees’ clinging to a 3-2 lead. That’s when Ichiro made a sliding catch of Rajai Davis’ sinking liner for the final out in the opener.

Pettitte gets two more starts with a pitch count increasing to 85-90 on Monday against the Twins. It’s a nice story, but the Yankees need it to be a productive one as well.

george.king@nypost.com