Game 53: Yankees win 4-2

Last night's game was knotted at 9-9 after five innings. Tonight, the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles only combined for six runs. But the Yankees came out on top, salvaging one game in the three-game trip to Camden Yards before traveling to Minneapolis for a weekend series.

Andy Pettitte added much-needed stability to a pitching staff that had to cover for Ian Kennedy's abbreviated start last night. Pettitte (5-5) pitch 6 2/3 innings, allowing two earned runs and surrendering eight hits while striking out three and walking one.

The Yankees got out to an early 1-0 lead in the second inning. With one out, Hideki Matsui doubled to left. With Jason Giambi batting, Orioles' starter Jeremy Guthrie threw a wild pitch. The Orioles then brought the infield in, and Giambi promptly served a single in between the shortstop and second baseman.

Guthrie (2-6) gave up three earned runs and six hits over seven inninigs.

After a scoreless bottom of the second inning, Pettitte ran into trouble in the third. Brian Roberts led off with a single. Melvin Mora followed that up with a two-run home run to give his team a 2-1 lead. Mora, who went 3-6 with a home run and two RBI last night, went 3-4 with a home run and two RBI tonight.

The Yankees weren't down for long. Giambi hit a two-out solo home run onto Eutaw Street for the second-straight night. He went 2-3 with a walk and two RBI on the night. In his last 47 at-bats, Giambi has 19 hits, five home runs and 12 RBI.

They would add runs in the fifth and ninth innings. Derek Jeter hit a sacrifice fly and Johnny Damon had an RBI single.

The story, however, was Joba Chamberlain. Scheduled to throw 50-55 pitches, he came into the game with two outs in the seventh inning. He gave up a single and a walk before recording the third out of the inning. He retired the side in order in the eighth. He fell behind 3-0 to Aubrey Huff to start the inning, but he was able to strike him out.

With the game remaining a save situation, Chamberlain came out of the game after the eighth inning. He had only thrown 28 pitches. When Mariano Rivera came into the game, Chamberlain went to the bullpen where he reached his pitch count.

Rivera pitched a scoreless ninth for his 13th save of the season.

Mike Mussina will face Boof Bonser Friday night at the Metrodome.

(AP Photo/Rob Carr)