New York Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte pitched a complete game in the final start of his career on Saturday night, as the Yankees earned a 2-1 win over the Houston Astros in the 41-year-old's final appearance on the mound, per CBS Sports' Eye on Baseball Twitter feed:

Afterward, Pettitte expressed his love for the game and sadness about calling it quits after 18 years, per Yes Network's Jack Curry on Twitter:

Pettitte, facing the only other team he played for over his career, struck out five, allowing five hits and just one earned run in his 11th win over the season and the 256th of his career. MLB.com's Josh Vitale points out the significance of Saturday's win:

On Sept. 20, Pettitte announced that he would retire at season's end, thanking Yankees fans for their support over the years and acknowledging that the time is right.

However, this isn't the first time Pettitte has retired. In February 2011 he announced his retirement before coming back midway through the 2012 season.

Pettitte has played 15 seasons with the Yankees since making his big league debut back in April 1995. He played three seasons with the Astros from 2004 to 2006 after signing with the team as a free agent after the 2003 season.

He returned to the Big Apple after the 2006 season.

The five-time World Series champion was a clutch performer for the Yankees in the playoffs during both stints. Pettitte went 19-11 in 44 postseason starts for his career, including four games with Houston in 2005.

The Yankees, who failed to qualify for the postseason for the first time in five seasons, will wrap up the regular season on Sunday afternoon against the Astros inside Minute Maid Park in Houston.

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