MINNEAPOLIS — Andy Pettitte gave the New York Yankees yet another clutch performance in the postseason, pitching seven smooth innings in a 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday evening in Game 2 of their AL division series.
    Lance Berkman hit the go-ahead home run in the fifth and an RBI double in the seventh against Carl Pavano, sending the Twins to their 11th straight postseason loss. Eight of those have come against the Yankees, who trailed in each of those games.
    The Twins haven't won a postseason game since 2004, matching the Philadelphia Phillies (1915-1976) for the second-longest streak in history behind the Boston Red Sox (1986-1995) and their 13 in a row.

Rangers take 2-0 series lead
    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Gratified to finally be in the playoffs, Michael Young and the Texas Rangers are making the most of their opportunity.
    Young hit a three-run homer one pitch after keeping his at-bat alive with a disputed check-swing, helping C.J. Wilson and the AL West champions beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-0 Thursday for a 2-0 lead in their division series.
    Texas is the only current major league franchise that's never won a playoff series. After winning consecutive games on the road, that can change with one victory when the best-of-five matchup shifts to Rangers Ballpark this weekend.
    Game 3 is Saturday, with Matt Garza pitching for Tampa Bay against Colby Lewis.
    Ian Kinsler also homered for the Rangers, who are in the playoffs for the first time since 1999 and hadn't won a postseason game in 14 years before Cliff Lee shut down the sputtering Rays in their home park on Wednesday.
    Wilson was equally impressive, allowing two hits in 6 2-3 innings. He gave up a single to leadoff man Jason Bartlett to start the game, then limited the Rays to just three baserunners on an error, a walk and a hit batter over the next five innings.