Rivera Falters, Yanks Fail to Put KC Away

Even though the Yankees got a good game out of starter Mike Mussina, they failed to defeat KC on Monday afternoon, losing 3-2.

The game remained scoreless until the seventh inning. Mussina and Royals' starter Luke Hochevar blanked the offense. Mussina went eight innings, gave up seven hits, two earned runs, no walks and struck out three.

Hochevar went six innings, allowed four hits, and two earned runs. He struck out four Yankees and walked none.

KC catcher Miguel Olivo finally broke out in the top of the seventh inning, clubbing a two run homer off Mussina.

The Bombers answered right back in the bottom of the seventh. After a lead-off double by Bobby Abreu, Alex Rodriguez swatted a two run homer tying the game at two.

In the top of the ninth, Mariano Rivera came in for Mussina. The first batter Rivera faced was Jose Guillen. Guillen has been a thorn in the Yankees' side all weekend, and continued that today.

Guillen blasted a solo homer off Rivera, untying the game and giving Kansas City a 3-2 edge.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Yanks threatened by loading the bases with two out, but failed to score as Melky Cabrera grounded out to end the game.

With the loss today, the Yankees split the series with the Royals two games apiece. Guillen was a true Yankee killer this weekend, smacking a total of four homers (including a grand slam) and driving in ten runs.

Yasuhiko Yabuta recorded his first win this year, and his record now stands at 1-0. Rivera took the loss, and is now 2-2 on the season. Joakim Soria also picked up his 14th save this afternoon.

The Yankees will now journey out to the west coast to play the Oakland Athletics. They open up a three game series Tuesday night at 10:05 (on the east coast). Chien-Ming Wang (6-2, 4.57 ERA) will square off against Oakland starter Dana Eveland (4-4, 3.82 ERA).