The Game of Baseball

If two consecutive strong pitching efforts mean anything, then it is safe to say that New York Yankees starting pitcher Mike Mussina has returned to form; Mussina pitched 5 innings, leading New York to a 5-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians Monday at Progressive Field. New York was led by Hideki Matsui as he went 1-for-4 with a double and 2 RBIs; Mussina (3-3) picked up the win as he pitched 5 innings, allowing 7 hits, 2 earned runs, walking 1 while striking out 2. Closer Mariano Rivera picked up his 8th save, pitching a scoreless 9th inning. Cleveland was led by Franklin Gutierrez and Jason Michaels with 2 hits each; Aaron Laffey (0-1) absorbed the loss as he pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing only 3 hits, 4 earned runs, walking 1 while striking out 1. New York (14-13) plays again on Tuesday as they return home to host the Detroit Tigers (11-15); Phil Hughes (0-3) gets the start for New York while Kenny Rogers (1-3) will start for Detroit. Cleveland (12-14) plays again on Tuesday as they continue their homestand by hosting the Seattle Mariners (12-14); Fausto Carmona (3-1) gets the nod for Cleveland while Carlos Silva (3-0) gets the start for Seattle.