
“Carl Pavano overcame a rough start to pitch the Twins to a 7-3 victory over the Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Monday night. Pavano allowed a home run to each of the first two batters he faced – Derek Jeter and Curtis Granderson – but bounced back to pitch seven strong innings and earn the victory. Over the last 40 years, only three other pitchers have pitched at least seven innings and earned a victory after allowing a home run to the first two batters they faced: Houston’s Joe Niekro on July 5, 1982, Atlanta’s Doyle Alexander on June 20, 1987, and the Mets’ Pete Smith on June 22, 1994.” Source: Elias