Mike Mussina won his 13th game of the year as the Yankees extended their home-winning streak to 10 games by besting Glenn Perkins and the Twins, 5-1.
Minnesota gift-wrapped this win for the Yankees with a crucial mental error in the fifth inning. Second baseman Alexi Casilla took a throw to force a runner out at second base, and started running off the field thinking it was the third out instead of turning the double play and getting out of the inning.
The next batter, Justin Christian, promptly doubled home two runs, and the Yankees never looked back. New York is now 11 games over .500, and they trail the first place Rays by 3.5 games, and Boston by just three.
This sets up a three-game showdown with the second-place Red Sox beginning Friday the 25th.
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Friday’s matchup features Josh Beckett vs. Joba Chamberlain. In their last trips out, Beckett pitched a complete game in a loss to the Angels, and Chamberlain pitched six good innings versus the A’s and got a no decision.
Andy Pettitte takes the ball for the Yankees against Tim Wakefield on Saturday. In their previous appearances, Pettitte pitched very effectively and beat the A’s while Wakefield lost to the Angels. Wakefield has a no decision in his only start versus New York this year.
Jon Lester will pitch in game three on Sunday. The Yankees have not announced whom they will start. Lester has pitched well and is 4-1 this year at Fenway. His last effort was against the Mariners, where he held them scoreless for seven-and-one-third innings.
The Yankees added Richie Sexton to their roster as a much-needed weapon against left-handed pitching, which they have struggled against. It will be interesting to see how he fits in. Jorge Posada elected not to have season-ending surgery on his throwing shoulder, opting to do rehab instead.
New York is hoping that Johnny Damon’s injury woes are over.
Overall, health will be a critical issue for the Yankees' hope of continuing their winning ways. They need all of their bats. The pitching has been solid in every way, so it looks like they will be in the race for the long haul.
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