The Yankees Daily: July 18th, 2008

Yankees OF Hideki Matsui (knee) was told to rest this weekend by Dr. Stuart Hershon. Matsui said he doesn't have any fluid in his knee, and none was drained. Surgery could be an option; if he takes the surgery, he's out for the year.

The Yankees won 7-1 as Richie Sexson drove in a run in his first game as a Yankee. His RBI single in the first inning tied the game at 1. Alex Rodriguez hit his 20th home run of the year and 40th against the A's in his career, tops among active players.

Mike Mussina pitched a strong game, striking out six, giving up nine hits, and one earned run in six innings for his 12th win of the season. The bullpen was fantastic, holding the A's hitless in three innings. David Robertson, Edwar Ramirez, and LaTroy Hawkins fanned a combined total of six Athletics during those three innings.

For the A's, Ryan Sweeney drove in the only A's run in the first inning on a fielder's choice. A's starter Greg Smith was rocked for six runs and eight hits in 3.2 innings.

In other AL East action, the Tampa Bay Rays pulled one out of the hat against the Toronto Blue Jays when SS Ben Zobrist hit a two-run HR in the seventh inning off A.J. Burnett to put the Rays up 2-1. The Rays won the game 2-1.

The Red Sox were trucked 11-3 at The Big A. Angels SP John Lackey finally exorcised his demons against the Red Sox, going seven innings, giving up three earned runs, and striking out six. Lackey picked up his seventh win, and Boston's Clay Buchholz is now 2-5 after getting tagged with the loss.

The Baltimore Orioles defeated the Tigers 7-4.

AL East standings:

Tampa Bay	56	39	.589	-	37-14	19-25	25-17	8-9	11-7	3-7	W 1
Boston	57	41	.582	½	36-11	21-30	20-19	15-5	11-10	6-4	L 1
N.Y. Yankees	51	45	.531	5½	28-22	23-23	20-19	11-15	10-3	6-4	W 1
Toronto	47	49	.490	9½	27-20	20-29	14-16	15-7	10-16	6-4	L 1
Baltimore	46	49	.484	10	26-17	20-32	16-24	10-8	9-10	2-8	W 1

Wild Card standings:

Boston	57	41	.582	-
Minnesota	54	42	.562	2
N.Y. Yankees	51	45	.531	5
Oakland	51	45	.531	5
Texas	50	47	.515	6½
Detroit	48	48	.500	8
Toronto	47	49	.490	9
Baltimore	46	49	.484	9½
Kansas City	43	54	.443	13½
Cleveland	41	54	.432	14½
Seattle	38	58	.396	18