Yankees Broom Twins Behind Strong Mike Mussina

The New York Yankees completed a three-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins Wednesday afternoon, defeating them 5-1, extending their winning streak to six games, and ten consecutive wins at Yankee Stadium.

Mike Mussina started for the Yankees and was absolutely brilliant. Mussina gave the Yanks eight strong innings, allowed no runs on six hits, issued no free passes and struck out seven.

Glen Perkins went for the Twins. Perkins tossed six innings, scattered five runs on eight hits, walked one and struck out two.

The Yankees scored their first two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Twins' second baseman Alexi Casilla forgot how many outs there were in the inning, and as a result made a crucial error, much to the chagrin of Minnesota skipper Ron Gardenhire and Perkins.

Because Casilla failed to turn what would have been an easy, inning-ending 5-4-3 double play, Justin Christian drove in Robinson Cano and Jose Molina with a two-run double. Christian also reached third on the throw to home plate. 

With the Yankees up 2-0 in the bottom of the sixth, Alex Rodriguez laced what was scored a two-run double to score Derek Jeter and Bobby Abreu, making the score 4-0. Rodriguez had broke into his home run trot, thinking the ball was going to leave the yard, but still managed to make it to third base on the throw to home plate.

"That's about the eighth time that's happened, I better start running!" said Rodriguez about his base running.

Rodriguez later scored in the inning with a sacrifice fly and RBI from Richie Sexson.

LaTroy Hawkins was called into the game in the ninth inning. Mike Lamb hit an RBI single to score Casilla, making the score 5-1.

With the tying run on deck, closer Mariano Rivera was called on to record the final out. Rivera sat down pinch-hitter Jason Kubel on four pitches, striking him out looking, to give the Yankees a sweep of the Twins.

With the strong outing, Mussina improves to 13-6 overall, and realistically has a chance to win 20 games this year. If he were to get to 20 wins, it would be the first time in his career to notch 20 wins in a single season.

Perkins takes the loss and falls to 7-3 on the year.

Rivera nailed down his 25th save of the 2008 campaign.

After a day off tomorrow, the Yankees will head to Boston to open up a three game road series with the arch-rival Red Sox.

Friday night at 7:05 ET, Joba Chamberlain (2-3, 2.52 ERA) will take on Josh Beckett (9-6, 3.98 ERA) in a game which has the potential to be a great pitcher's duel.

"We have an off-day tomorrow, which we'll enjoy, and then head to Boston with a lot of energy" said Rodriguez after the win.