five World Series titles from 1996-09 -- including Jo

NEW YORK -- The day started in storybook fashion. A moving tribute to Mariano Rivera was followed by Andy Pettitte taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning of his final regular-season start at Yankee Stadium. The way it ended might have finished the Yankees playoff hopes. After honouring the career saves leader and celebrating Pettitte, New York saw its AL wild-card hopes dim Sunday with a crushing 2-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants. Pettitte was sure the Yankees would rally. "It always seems to happen. I really thought it was going to happen today," Pettitte said. "So its hard to believe that were sitting here, that we lost another game. This was a big loss, theres no doubt about that." In danger of missing the playoffs for just the second time in 19 years, the Yankees dropped four back of Cleveland for the second AL wild card with six games left. New York hosts wild-card leading Tampa Bay for three games, then closes at Houston. The Yankees held a 50-minute pregame ceremony and retired the No. 42 of Rivera, who announced during spring training that this will be his final season. Rivera was last player to wear Jackie Robinsons number, which was retired throughout the major leagues in 1997 on the 50th anniversary of the day the Brooklyn Dodgers second baseman broke baseballs colour barrier. For a little over a week, Rivera becomes the first active player to be given a place in Monument Park. "I appreciate this day, what the organization did, the fans that were here supporting me," Rivera said. "That was good, but at the end it wasnt that great because we lost the game." Pettitte said Friday he also is leaving, and he started off perfect until giving up a walk with two outs in the fifth. But Ehire Adrianza tied the score in the sixth with his first career home run. Leaving to standing ovations and a curtain call after Pedro Sandovals leadoff double in the eighth, Pettitte (10-11) watched Tony Abreu hit a go-ahead double off David Robertson. "Pablo told me it was a no-hitter, he told me to get a hit," Adrianza said. "It was a special day for me in my life, for Mariano and Pettitte." The 41-year-old Pettitte will make his final start against his hometown Astros with a chance to finish with a losing record for the first time in his 19-year career. On a sun-splashed afternoon and before a sellout crowd of 49,197, the Yankees honoured Rivera by bringing back several of the players who helped them win five World Series titles from 1996-09 -- including Jorge Posada, Bernie Williams, David Cone, Paul ONeill and Tino Martinez. Pettitte initially retired after the 2010 season, sat out one year and then returned. "Ill miss (them) a lot. Theyre brothers to me," Jeter said. "Weve been through a lot, quite a bit together." For much of the afternoon, Pettitte appeared on track for a vintage performance. The 41-year-old left-hander, a 255-game winner, was backed by Mark Reynolds third-inning homer and didnt allow a baserunner until Sandovals fifth-inning walk. When Sandoval doubled to left in the eighth for the Giants second hit, Pettitte slammed his glove into his thigh in frustration when he saw manager Joe Girardi bounce out of the dugout. He left to a sustained ovation, waving his cap to all parts of the stadium, and came out for another wave after a boisterous chant of "An-dy Pett-itte!" Jeter, the injured captain, was there to embrace him in the dugout. "It was great. It was amazing," Pettitte said. "You obviously start hugging the guys. You know Jete standing there makes it difficult. ... Then of course my head is right there just going, I just lost this game for us if we are unable to get this guy." While Rivera has saved 72 of Pettittes wins, the most for any tandem in major league history, Girardi called on the 13-time All-Star after Abreus double. Adrianza broke a bat striking out, and Angel Pagan hit a sinking liner to centre field that Curtis Granderson snared with a tumbling catch. Alex Rodriguez led off the bottom half with a single, and Robinson Cano doubled for his third hit. Alfonso Soriano hit a sharp grounder to third base, and Nick Noonan threw home to nail pinch-runner Zoilo Almonte. Eduardo Nunez then singled to left field, but Bronx-raised Juan Perez threw Cano out trying to score. "Were still alive, but this one really hurt," manager Joe Girardi said. "Its tough." Javier Lopez (4-2) relieved Yusmeiro Petit with two on and one out in the seventh and struck out two. Petit gave up six hits. Sergio Romo pitched a hitless ninth for his 36th save in 41 chances. In a sign of how banged up the Yankees are, they sent 22-year-old rookie J.R. Murphy to the plate, and Romo struck him out to end the game. "These guys had a chance to see the best," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "The kids really handled themselves well. I couldnt be prouder." NOTES: Girardi said Hiroki Kuroda (11-12) will start Tuesdays series opener against Tampa Bay. ... The Giants went through fielding practice before the game. Bochy said hes determined to have the Giants play out the season at the highest level possible. "Its about pride," he said. ... San Francisco split six games in New York, taking two of three against the Mets. Mike Alstott Jersey . Now the Minnesota Vikings have set their sights on soccer. Cheap Buccaneers Jerseys . So it was understandable if he was a little shaky early in his return to the Texas Rangers rotation. He spent most of the outing searching for his best stuff, but still managed to shut down the struggling Minnesota Twins offence. http://www.cheapbuccaneersjerseysauthent...-bunting-jersey. Patty Mills had 20 points, Tim Duncan had 11 points and 13 rebounds in limited action, and San Antonio rolled to a 110-82 victory over Milwaukee that kept the Bucks winless in the new year. Buccaneers Jerseys China Cheap . How foolishly wrong I was. Forget the now inherent corruption and back handed favours that plague the beautiful game. Goal Line Technology? Youre having a laugh. As for them penalty cheating bandits, footballs lawmakers upend them by awarding the penalty to the opponent each time a player attempts to con the referee into awarding ghost penalties. Mike Edwards Jersey NEW ORLEANS - A day after being eliminated from the playoffs with a 30-14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, it didnt take long for New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton to point out the reason.Payton regularly calls the turnover stat the most important in the game. It was against Atlanta, with the Saints committing four of them.For the season, the Saints are minus-11 in turnover margin.You really just keep yourself from having an opportunity to win a game, Payton said. Thats something that I obviously have to look closely at.That close look will come in the off-season.Payton said Monday there wouldnt be any wholesale changes in how the Saints approach the season-ending game at Tampa Bay on Sunday.Those who have played a role in New Orleans going 6-9 will carry a similar responsibility against the Buccaneers, a 2-13 team in position for the No. 1 pick in the draft.Well have our best guys out there and preparing and doing everything we would normally do if we were playing for a playoff spot, Payton said. It wont be a bit different.That means if the Saints finish 7-9, theyd have to eliminate the costly mistakes going into next season.And besides turnovers, the losses have piled up for a myriad of other reasons.The offence scored only 24 points in the final two home games of as the Saints finished with a five-game home losing sstreak.ddddddddddddThe Saints havent allowed as many sacks as in 2013, when they gave up 37, but the ones they have given up this season have played a part in the inconstant play.Against Atlanta, which entered last in the league in sacks, the Saints allowed a season-worst five.New Orleans defence didnt hold up when it needed to in key situations.While the Saints have forced 15 fumbles, they have only recovered five of them.A group that finished No. 4 in the NFL last season is ranked 31st in yards allowed. The Saints are 30th in the league on third downs and have given up at least 400 yards seven times.We rarely put together a complete game — offence, defence and special teams, tight end Benjamin Watson said.New Orleans has one more opportunity to put together that complete game.Though Payton said preparation will be similar to any other week, it would be easy for the players to lose focus before heading into the off-season.Those in the locker room on Monday said getting ready for the Buccaneers wont be a problem, however.You cant just sit around and feel sorry for yourself all day, linebacker Parys Haralson said. 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