MLB: Mussina Shines, Yankees Silence Rangers' Bats

The New York Yankees shutout the Texas Rangers tonight, defeating them 3-0 and splitting the series at two games apiece.

Mike Mussina started for New York. He turned in a quality outing, lasting seven innings, giving up no runs on eight hits. He walked one and struck out six.

Scott Feldman started for Texas, and also tossed a good game. Feldman pitched seven innings and gave up two earned runs on seven hits. Feldman walked two, and struck out four.

The Yankees struck for the first run of the game in the top of the first. Yankee Captain Derek Jeter left the yard for the seventh time this year, putting the Yanks up 1-0.

The Yankees would not score again until the top of the fifth. Johnny Damon laced a single to right field to score Wilson Betemit, giving the Yankees a 2-0 edge.

The Yankees picked up their third run in the top of the ninth. After Betemit took away a force play with some smart base running, Damon singled, and Jeter knocked in another run with an RBI single to score Betemit, and the Bombers went ahead 3-0.

In the ninth, Mariano Rivera came in to close the door. He got Josh Hamilton, Marlon Byrd, and Brandon Boggs out to end the game and give the Yankees a win.

Mussina picked up the win, and moves up to 15-7 on the year, giving him a legitimate shot to win 20 games in a single season for the first time in his career.

Feldman takes the loss, and falls to 4-5.

The Yankee bullpen also showed its worth tonight, as Brian Bruney and Damaso Marte each recorded holds.

Rivera recorded his 28th save of the year, and remains perfect in save opportunities this year.

In some other news from this series, Alex Rodriguez went 0-14, and his average has dipped to .312.

This was only the second time this year the Texas Rangers failed to score a run in a game this season.

The Yankees will now head up to Anaheim to pick it up against the Angels tomorrow night at 10:05 ET.

Ian Kennedy (0-3, 7.41 ERA) will make his return to the Yankees' rotation after an injury and a stint in the minors to work on his mechanics. He will face Angels' starter Jered Weaver (9-9, 4.37 ERA).