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HOUSTON -- Andy Pettitte completed his career in a most fitting fashion. Steve Pearce Red Sox Jersey . The 41-year-old left-hander pitched a five-hitter for his first complete game since 2006, leading the New York Yankees over his hometown Houston Astros 2-1 Saturday. "It couldnt end any better," Pettitte said, trying to hold back tears. Two days after Mariano Riveras finale in front of an emotional crowd at Yankee Stadium, Pettitte followed his teammate into retirement and left only Derek Jeter left from the Core Four who earned five World Series rings with the Yankees since 1996. Pettitte said the last week of this season has been difficult for him. "Its been terrible because I know its over," Pettitte said. "Its a shame you get old." Chris Carter singled with two outs in the ninth, ending a string of 11 straight batters retired by Pettitte. Yankees manager Joe Girardi came to the mound, had a brief conversation with Pettitte, then returned to the dugout. Girardi said he left it up to Pettitte as to whether he wanted to stay in the game. With the crowd on its feet and cameras flashing, J.D. Martinez hit a game-ending groundout to third baseman Eduardo Nunez, giving Pettitte his 26th complete game. Pettitte, who lives in suburban Deer Park, lingered on the field as teammates hugged him -- including Jeter, Rivera and Girardi, Pettittes former catcher. The Astros stood in front of their dugout, applauding, and fans chanted "An-dy! An-dy!" "I dont know how to even take you through it, except I just felt like I wasnt even worthy to have that happening to me," Pettitte said. Houston extended its team-record losing streak to 14 with its 110th loss of the season. The oldest starting pitcher in the major leagues, Pettitte finished this season 11-11 and never had a losing record in 18 major league seasons. He was 256-153 with a 3.85 ERA and 2,448 strikeouts during the regular season and excelled in October, where he compiled a record 19 post-season wins. It was a week of nostalgia for the Yankees. Rivera, the 43-year-old career saves later, was given an emotional home sendoff Thursday night and said Saturday afternoon that he wouldnt pitch during the season-ending series against the Astros. "I told Mo I might finish the game off if youre not in the bullpen," Pettitte said. Rivera was ecstatic that Pettitte finished his career with a complete game. "I was pulling for him, knowing that he was there alone," Rivera said. "This was his game and we just had to cheer for him, and thats what we did -- thats what I did." Girardi compared Riveras last appearance to Pettittes night. "It was a different feel," he said. "Mos was about honouring a man that had meant so much, but this really felt like a playoff game, because we wanted this for him so bad." Pettitte struck out five and walked two in a 115-pitch effort, allowing his only run on Carters RBI groundout in the fourth. With a sharp slider and cutter, he kept the Astros to 0 for 11 with runners on base. "I couldnt have dreamed this would have worked out the way it did," Pettitte said. "Im so thankful and fortunate and blessed and I just feel like God worked this out exactly perfect. Just another day that Ill never forget." Robinson Cano hit an RBI single in the sixth inning, and New York took the lead when Nunez scored on an embarrassing error later in the inning by catcher Matt Pagnozzi, who accidentally spiked the ball while trying to throw to second on an attempted pickoff. "I didnt have a grip and I was trying to stop my arm and what happened happened," Pagnozzi said. "Its pretty tough, especially with the kind of skid were on right now. Having it come down to being the go-ahead run that scored. Yeah, not something that you want to happen." Numerous friends and family of Pettitte were on hand, including former Houston teammate Jeff Bagwell. The pair exchanged a hearty embrace before Pettitte took the mound. Making his 438th start for the Yankees, he tied Whitey Fords team record. "It was fitting," Jeter said. "Its funny how things work out sometimes. I know hes had some good memories here. Hes from here. It was special for him to do it in front of Yankee fans, as well as the Houston fans." NOTES: The Astros 323 losses over three seasons are tied with the 1940-42 Philadelphia Phillies for fourth-most in big league history according to STATS, ahead of only the 1962-64 New York Mets (340), the 1963-65 Mets (332) and the 1915-17 Philadelphia Athletics (324). ... Houston starter Paul Clemens allowed two runs and five hits in 5 1-3 innings. ... Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez said Saturday that he didnt expect to play this weekend because of soreness in his legs. Dustin Pedroia Red Sox Jersey .C. United on Saturday night and boost the Unions playoff hopes. Nick DeLeon scored in the 36th minute for United (3-23-6), which had ample opportunities to build on its lead but went its 10th straight match without a victory. Rick Porcello Jersey .Y. -- Florida Panthers captain Ed Jovanovski finally has something to show for all the pain he went through in overcoming a string of injuries that kept him sidelined for much of the past two years. http://www.officialredsoxfanstore.com/authentic-david-ortiz-red-sox-jersey/ . Langer appeared to be in trouble when his second shot on the par-5 18th ended up in the rough short of the green. He hit a brilliant pitch to 5 feet and made the putt after Slumans birdie attempt rolled just wide.SUNRISE, Fla. -- The Florida Panthers have activated defenceman and captain Ed Jovanovski from injured reserve and say hell make his season debut Saturday against Nashville. Jovanovski had hip surgery in April. Injuries kept him from 83 of Floridas last 89 games, dating to the start of last season. Jovanovski said the hip pain was so bad that lacing his own skates proved impossible. Panthers general manager Dale Tallon sayss Jovanovski "worked extremely hard during his extensive rehabilitation process and should be commended for his diligent efforts both on and off the ice.