Yankees-Rangers: Mike Mussina Leads New York to Victory

Mike Mussina began the year as the No. 2 starter, behind Chien-Ming Wang, and then had to live in the shadow of Joba Chamberlain in June and July. But with those two pitchers now on the disabled list, all the pressure is on Moose to be the ace of the staff.

And he doesn't seem to mind it one bit.

Mussina picked up his American-League-leading 15th win Thursday night by shutting out the potent Texas Rangers lineup for seven innings. He struck out six while giving up eight hits and walking just one.

And the Yankees needed every bit of that effort because it seemed like they couldn't score a run to save their lives. Here's just a sampling of some of the blown opportunities by the Bombers:

In the second, New York put the first two runners on but failed to score when Robinson Cano wrapped into an around-the-horn double play.

In the fourth, Bobby Abreu led off with a single but was quickly erased on a double play by Alex Rodriguez.

In the seventh, the Yanks once again got the first two men aboard, and this time, they even attempted a bunt, but Jose Molina uncharacteristically popped it up, failing to advance the runners before Johnny Damon grounded into an inning-ending DP.

In the eighth, Joe Girardi did his best to manufacture a run, having Derek Jeter steal second before Wilson Betemit grounded out to second to advance the runner to third with less than two outs. Everything was set up perfectly for the insurance run to come home, but the slumping A-Rod struck out and the Yankees didn't score.

The Pinstripes aren't going to always get a stellar performance from their starter, like the one Mussina turned in Thursday, especially with the rotation in shambles these days, so the hitters HAVE to tack on runs when they have the chance, or else the team will miss out on the playoffs for the first time since 1993.

Here are the grades from the Yanks' 3-0 series splitting win over the Texas Rangers.

Joe Girardi, Manager: (A-) He did his best to get the offense going, other than maybe having Cano bunt in the second. Girardi put the runners in motion a few times and even attempted a bunt, but the team just continues to fail to come through in the clutch. With their three double plays on Thursday, the Yankees have now hit into 106 on the season. That's fourth most in the league.

Johnny Damon, CF-LF: (A) Damon continued his red-hot hitting, going 2-5 with an RBI.

Derek Jeter, DH: (A+) At least you can still count on the Captain to be clutch. His two-out RBI single in the ninth was just one of his three hits on the night. Jeter also blasted a solo homer in the first and later walked and stole a base.

Bobby Abreu, RF: (C-) Abreu went 1-4.

Alex Rodriguez, 3B: (D-) A-Rod went oh for Texas, concluding the four-game series with an 0-4 that included two strikeouts. Now is not a good time for Rodriguez to be slumping, and he needs to start getting that runner home from third with less than two outs more than 40 percent of the time.

The only thing saving him from a failing grade was that he made a couple nice plays in the field.

Jason Giambi, 1B: (A-) Giambi went 0-1 but walked twice.

Xavier Nady, LF: (C-) Nady went 1-4 with a K and left three men on base.

Robinson Cano, 2B: (A) Cano was 3-4 with a double, but he fails to get to too many balls at second base.

Wilson Betemit, SS: (C+) Betemit went 1-4 with two runs scored and made a strong throw from short in the eighth.

Jose Molina, C: (F) 0-4.

Melky Cabrera, PR-CF: (INC) Cabrera was benched again but got into the game late as a pinch runner for the lumbering Giambi.

Richie Sexson, 1B: (INC) Sexson came in for defensive purposes in the eighth.

Mike Mussina, SP: (A+) Not only did he pitch well, but he made a couple nice defensive plays as well.

Brian Bruney, RP: (B) I thought Mussina could've gotten Ian Kinsler out in the eighth, but Girardi apparently felt that Bruney would have a better chance of doing that.

Damaso Marte, RP: (B+) A clause in the trade with the Pirates stated that Marte must pitch in every game as a Yankee.

Mariano Rivera, RP: (A) TWENTY-EIGHT FOR TWENTY-EIGHT!!! NO ONE PROTECTS A THREE-RUN LEAD LIKE MO!!!

Blonde in Blue Tube Top Behind Home Plate, DD: (A+) That's the best talent I've seen behind the dish outside of the waitresses at Rogers Centre.

Yankees Overall Grade: (B+) I'm not happy with a split against Texas, but if you're going to win two, might as well make it the final two. I'm going away this weekend, but I know I'm leaving the Yankees page in very capable hands. I hope to return on Sunday to read your writing about the Yanks taking two of three from the Angels.

Jordan Schwartz is Bleacher Report's New York Yankees Community Leader. His book "Memoirs of the Unaccomplished Man"is available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and authorhouse.com.  Jordan can be reached at [e-mail].