Bombers Bounce Back, Jeter Passes the Mick

Coming off a crushing loss to the Toronto Blue Jays last night, the New York Yankees snapped a three game losing streak and downed the Jays by a score of 5-1 on Wednesday night.

Mike Mussina, the starter for the Yankees, was absolutely stellar, going a strong six innings, allowing one earned run on five hits, fanning six Blue Jays and issuing only one walk. A quality start was just what the Bronx Bombers needed.

In the third inning with one out, Yankee Captain, Derek Jeter swung the bat for an RBI single. This hit was Jeter's 2,416th of his career, passing Yankee legend Mickey Mantle on the all-time Yankees' hit list.

As the crowd roared for Jeter, he took his helmet off and acknowledged the crowd and his accomplishment. Jeter is now third on the all-time Yankees' hit list behind Babe Ruth (2nd) and Lou Gehring (1st)

The Yankee offense got contributions from Johnny Damon, who had three hits and one RBI, and Hideki Matsui, who had two hits and an RBI. Melky Cabrera also helped out with an RBI, and the Yankees rode on the strength of a solo home run by Wilson Betemit. The Jays only gathered one run on six hits.

On another positive note for the Yankees, the bullpen held the lead tonight. Ross Ohlendorf and Kyle Farnsworth went a combined two innings giving up no runs on only one hit. Although not a save situation, closer Mariano Rivera entered the game in the ninth to shut the door and seal the Yankee win.

For Mussina's efforts, he earned himself his ninth win of the season, tying him with Joe Saunders of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for the most wins in the American League. Moose also improved his record to 9-4 while Jesse Litsch fell to 7-2.

The Bombers and the Bluebirds will play the rubber game of this three game series in a matinee tomorrow afternoon at 1:05. The pitching matchup is Chien-Ming Wang of the Yanks (6-2, 4.14 ERA) battling Dustin McGowan of the Jays (4-4, 3.95 ERA)