It started out as a pitcher's duel and turned into a blowout.

Mike Mussina and Jose Contreras battled over six innings and then the Yankee bats exploded as the Bombers scored nine runs over the final two frames to slam the White Sox, 10-3.  It was the Yanks third win in a row and it was Joe Torre's 2,000th career victory as a skipper.  Torre is now the only major leaguer to collect over 2,000 hits  as a player and win 2,000 games as a manager.

The Good:

Mike Mussina.  The Moose had his whiffle ball curve working on Thursday night.  His fastball still lacked its normal velocity (maxed at 86), but he spotted it well and looked more comfortable using it.  The only negative was that he left in the seventh after giving up a lead-off dribbler to Jim Thome and a screaming single to Paul Konerko.  The Thome single may have unnerved Mussina as he departed after only 79 pitches.  Still, it was a positive step forward for Mussina.  His ND: 6+ IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K.

Bobby Abreu.  Abreu is now officially out of his funk.  He was involved in almost all the scoring for the Yanks and his two-run double in the eighth gave the Yanks a 3-1 lead.  Abreu finished 2 for 4 with a walk, the 2 RBIs and 3 runs scored.  Welcome back, Bobby.

Scott Proctor.  Proctor's stuff wasn't great, but he entered the game with the score tied 1-1 and inherited runners on first and second with nobody out.  He blew away Josh Fields and was then saved by the howling winds as Rob Mackowiak's bomb died in centerfield.  He recorded the final out on a ground ball and recorded his first victory of the season.  Proctor improved to 1-3 with this: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.

Alex Rodriguez.  A-Rod is feeling hot, hot, hot!!  A-Rod belted his second grand-slam of the season in the ninth to give the Yanks a comfortable 8-3 advantage.  It was his 22nd of the year.  He finished 2 for 4 with a walk, a run scored and the 4 big RBIs.

The Bad:

Kyle Farnsworth.  Farnsworth continues to give Yankee fans everywhere agita.  Why was he asked to protect a 4-1 Yankee lead in the eighth?  Who knows.  It didn't take long for Farnsworth to make things exciting.  His line: .1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 0 K.  Kyle also made a throwing error.  Nice job.

The Ugly:

The baseball draft.  Talk about unwatchable.  I happened to catch the Yankees pick, but couldn't bring myself to watch much more.  There was Bud Selig with his greasy used car salesman charm and Steve Phillips with his confusing baseball logic.  'Nuff said.

The Yanks finished the 10-game road trip with a solid 6-4 mark.  Now, they'll head home to take on the Pirates in a three-game weekend set.  Andy Pettitte will make the start for the Bombers on Friday night and will oppose Pirates lefty Tom Gorzelanny.  Gorzelanny has had a solid season so far; 6-3, 2.53 ERA.

All aboard!

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