A-Wow!

Mike Mussina followed up a solid outing with a terrific one, Hideki Matsui drove in three runs and Doug Mientkiewicz did Godzilla one better as the Yanks took off their belts and spanked the Orioles 12-0 at The Stadium.  The victory pulls the Bombers to within 2.5 games of the Red Sox in the AL East (2 in the loss column) and extends their lead in the wild card chase to 4.5 games over the Tigers (5 in the loss column).

The Good:

Mike Mussina.  I wasn't expecting miracles from The Moose on Tuesday night.  Sure, he picked up his ninth win of the season with a respectable start last week against the Blue Jays (5.2 IP, 0 R, 5 H, 3 BB, 1 K in case you forgot), but I feared that he shot his load with that performance.  I thought the Yanks would have to score double-digits to have a chance in this one.  Well, the Bombers proved me right with their offensive output, but Mussina didn't need it.  The Moose really looked like his old self against his former team.  His fastball had late movement and he was snapping off his off-speed stuff.  Mussina also made a nifty stop on a come-backer that was headed for his noggin.  I don't know what caused the sudden turn-around (God, Satan, HGH, PCP), but it couldn't have come at a better time.  Don't look know, but Mussina has a 12.2 scoreless innings streak going.  Mussina evened his mark at 10-10 on the year and has won at least ten games an AL-record 16 straight seasons.  The Moose: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K.

Hideki Matsui.  Godzilla broke a scoreless tie in the fourth with a hot-shot double down the first base line for a 2-0 Yankee lead.  Matsui has been struggling in September (he was batting .133 for the month entering Tuesday's game), but he's looked better in his last two games.  Hideki has battled through knee problems almost the entire year, but hasn't had any X-rays or MRIs performed.  He isn't sure if he'll need surgery after the season, but that's talk for another time.  Godzilla finished 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored and 3 RBIs.

Doug Mientkiewicz.  Mientkiewicz continued his torrid hitting since being activated from the DL on Sept. 1.  Dougie smoked a three-run homer in the fourth that put the game on ice for the Bombers.  DM also made a pretty scoop on a low throw from A-Rod to end the fifth.  His play is going to make it tough for Torre to leave his name out of the lineup.  Mientkiewicz finished 2 for 4 with a run scored and 4 ribbies.

The Bad:

Alex Rodriguez.  A-Rod has been in a bit of a rut and it continued on Tuesday night.  The Yankee third baseman is in a 2-for-20 skid and looks like he's getting into some bad habits.  A-Rod finished 0 for 4 and left six runners on base.

The Ugly:

What's his name?  I don't usually crack on people's names, but the Orioles have a reliever named Rocky Cherry.  Is it just me or does that name scream porn star?  How bout a new ice cream flavor?  The O's acquired the right-hander from the Cubs on Aug. 31 for starting pitcher Steve Traschel.

The Yanks go for the sweep on Wednesday night and will send Andy Pettitte to the hill.  Pettitte was brilliant in August (6-0, 2.36 ERA), but has struggled so far in September (1-1, 5.94 ERA).  He didn't pitch well in his last start against Boston on Friday night (4 IP, 9 H, 5 R [4 earned], 2 BB, 5 K), but escaped with a no decision as the Yanks came back to win.  Baltimore will turn to lefty spot-starter Brian Burres.  Burres is 1-0 this season against the Bombers (one start, one relief appearance) with an 0.79 ERA.

The chase goes on.