A-Rod Hits Moonshot as Yanks Beat Rays 7-2

Alex Rodriguez hit home run No. 548, tying Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt for 12th on the career list and Mike Mussina got his 17th win of the season as the Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-2.

In the eighth inning, A-Rod blasted a moonshot to deel left center in which gravity could barely keep it down to tack on another run in what was already a 6-2 lead.

In a game in which Mussina passed Hall of Famers Bob Feller and Eppa Rixey for sole possession of 34th place on the career list, the Yankees keep playoff hopes alive with another victory.

Mike Mussina has been stellar for the Yankees this season and wants to help continue to win games for the Yankees, and also, chase 20 wins in a season, something he has never done.

“Obviously, you would like to see a guy that has been so good for so long be able to achieve that,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “It’s kind of neat that he’s chasing it.”

“We’re just trying to win ballgames any way we can. I’m trying to contribute on my day,” Mussina said. “We battled to get out of some situations. We got some big hits we needed.”

Joba Chamberlain also made his long awaited return, this time in a more familiar relief appearance.  He will remain there the rest of the season to reduce strain on his shoulder, but plans are to make him a starter again in 2009.

Joba came in a key spot in the seventh, getting Damarso Marte out of a jam and getting Rocco Baldelli to ground into a fielders choice with two runners on.  He also pitched the eighth inning, giving up one hit and one walk. 

He threw just 19 pitches, 10 of those being strikes.  His fastball was in the mid 90's and he looks like he is back in good shape.

For the Rays, the right-hander Matt Garza had allowed four runs combined in his previous three starts.  Tonight, he yielded six runs, five hits in five-plus innings of work as he moves to 11-8 on the season.

The Yankees (74-64) move back to 10 games above .500 and gain a game in the East, but still remain a large 11 games out of the Division.

The Wild Card is what they are chasing though, because it is still up for grabs with the East a miracle away from winning.

The Red Sox also won on Tuesday night, beating the Orioles 14-2 to keep the Yankees seven games out of the playoffs. 

The Yankees just have to keep playing one game at a time and try not to be glancing at the scoreboard to see if their win matters or not, every win matters at this point. 

On Wednesday at 7:10 EST, the Yankees play their second game of a three game set in Tampa as Carl Pavano (2-0, 3.27) takes on Edwin Jackson (11-8, 3.81) of the Rays.

Carl Pavano has pitched just two games this season for the Yankees and has won them both.  Another win here would not only help the Yankees chances for playoffs, it would help redeem Pavano's name in New York as an injury waisted contract signing.

Looking ahead, the Yankees travel to Seattle this weekend to face the Mariners.   The Yankees must continue to win most of their games to even be considered at this point as a playoff contender.  We will know in a few weeks if they indeed are.