NEW YORK, April 13 (UPI) -- Derek Jeter hit a solo homer and drove in a pair of runs Tuesday as the New York Yankees downed the Los Angeles Angels 7-5 in the Yanks' 2010 home opener.
Jeter ended the day 2-for-5 while Alex Rodriguez knocked in two and Nick Johnson added a home run as the Yankees survived a ninth-inning Angels rally to notch the victory.
Andy Pettitte (1-0) pitched six innings of shutout ball, scattering five hits and fanning six to register his 230th career victory, lifting the defending world champions to their third straight win and fifth in seven games.
Mariano Rivera had to come in to gain the save after the Yankees' bullpen almost blew a 7-1 lead in the final frame.
New York's David Robertson allowed singles to Howie Kendrick, Brandon Wood and Jeff Mathis to load the bases in the ninth. Bobby Abreu then launched a pitch into the right field stands for a grand slam, bringing the Angels to within 7-5 and necessitating an appearance by Rivera.
