Mussina bails out offense

Last time out, Mike Mussina struck out eight and allowed two earned runs over six innings and lost 2-1.

This afternoon, Mussina struck out five over six shutout innings, as the Yankees won 2-1. This was his 11th win of the season and he did it in front of Terry Francona, who will be picking the American League All-Star pitching staff.

The Yankees had the bases loaded with one out twice in the game and only came away with one run (an elusive sacrifice fly by Brett Gardner). The other run came on another rare two-out, RISP single by Melky Cabrera.

Mariano Rivera struggled in the ninth, hitting two batters and allowing two hits, but was able to escape a bases loaded, no-out situation only giving up one run in the process.

After losing the first two games of this series, a blown save by Rivera would have been absolutely devastating. We all know Rivera is cool under pressure, but even the most confident of Yankees fans had to be surprised he was able to get out of the jam the way he did.

Joba Chamberlain and Tim Wakefield will square off in the ESPN game tomorrow night as the Yankees look to split this four-game series.

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)