"Now, what is this site about, how Joe Torre ruined pitchers' arms? Is that it?"
-Michael Kay, August 18, 2009

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Game 155 notes: Yankees win 7-5

Mike Mussina (11-10) stabilized the depleted Yankees' pitching staff this afternoon. Mussina gave up three runs over seven much-needed innings as the Yankees defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 7-5 Sunday afternoon.

After using 10 pitchers yesterday and playing a 14-inning game Friday night, the Yankees needed a starter to go deep into the game.

The day didn't start off well, as Mussina gave up three runs in the second inning. Adam Lind hit a two-run double and Curtis Thigpen drove him in on a single.

The Yankees responded with three runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Jose Molina, Johnny Damon and Derek Jeter all had RBI singles.

The Yankees broke the 3-3 tie in the fifth inning. Once again, they did it on RBI singles - this time from Robinson Cano, Doug Mientkiewicz and Molina.

In the bottom of the seventh, Molina recorded his third hit and RBI of the day with a double that scored Hideki Matsui.

The Yankees deviated from the "Joba rules" this afternoon. After Luis Vizcaino gave up a two-run home run to Matt Stairs, Joe Torre brought in Joba Chamberlain. He pitched two innings Friday night, so he was not scheduled to pitch today. Also, according to the rules, he can't come into the game in the middle of an inning. This section of the rules was actually broken on Wednesday when he recorded one out.

Chamberlain stayed in the game for the ninth inning to record his first Major League save. He struck out the side.

Some notes from the game:

  • The win was Mussina's 250th of his career.
  • Cano and Molina each had three hits each.
  • Derek Jeter and Bobby Abreu had two hits. Jeter extended his hitting streak to 10 games.
  • Mussina struck out five batters and lowered his ERA to 4.96.
  • Toronto starter Dustin McGowan (11-10) threw 112 pitches in 4 1-3 innings. He gave up six hits and six earned runs, while walking six and striking out five.
  • The Yankees honored the late Phil Rizzuto before the game.
Boston lost to Tampa Bay this afternoon. Their magic number to win the East remains at six. Their lead over the Yankees is down to 1.5 games. The half-game will go away tomorrow afternoon when the Yankees complete a makeup game.

Detroit won this afternoon. With the Yankees' victory, the magic number to win the Wild Card is down to two.

Andy Pettitte will face A.J. Burnett tomorrow afternoon. Roger Clemens was originally scheduled to start, but he will be pushed back until at least Tuesday.

(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

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