Yankees Outduel Duque 2-0

Pen Records 15 Outs in 1-Hitter

Bad weather and a bad groin kept Mike Mussina from continuing his 4 inning no-hit bid, but the Yankees pen picked up where he left off in a 2-0 Yankees victory. Mussina strained his right groin in the first inning, but was able to stay in the ball game. However, a one hour-3 minute rain delay forced him from the game. He stated after the game that he expects to make his next start. That left it up to the Yankees bullpen to record the final 15 outs of the game and they did just that convincingly.

As expected Mets starter Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez received a warm reception from his former fans. Jason Giambi wasn't so nice. The Giambino smacked a Duque hanger in the 1st into the Yankees old bullpen in right-center for a 1-0 lead. It was Giambi's AL second best 24th home run of the season and his 150th as a Yankee.

Mussina meanwhile breezed through the Mets lineup, facing just one batter over the minimum in 4 innings. Miguel Cairo's 1st inning error provided the Mets with their only base runner against Moose. The Yankees padded their lead in the 4th, though it took over an hour to do so. Bernie Williams blooped a two-out single just out of the reach of Mets third baseman David Wright and promptly stole second. With a 1-2 count on Andy Phillips the rain, which had been coming down steadily, increased significantly as did the wind. Crew chief Tim McLelland waited as long as he could before ordering the tarp onto the field.

When play resumed, El Duque (4-8) returned to the mound, but Ron Villone was warming in the Yankees pen. It wasn't known until after the game that Mussina had strained his right groin in the first inning, but was able to continue after having it wrapped. With the long delay Joe Torre was taking no chances on putting his best starter back out there. Andy Phillips resume his at-bat and singled through the left side to score Williams ahead of Cliff Floyd's poor throw.

With a 2-0 lead to protect, Torre used a full arsenal of relievers to get the job done. Villone (2-1)tossed two scoreless innings, allowing a lead off single to Endy Chavez in the 6th. Chavez was erased one batter later when Villone picked him off of first base. Scott Proctor and Kyle Farnsworth retired all 3 men they faced in the 7th and 8th innings before Mariano Rivera pitched a 1-2-3 9th to earn his 18th save.

Notes

The Yankees pitching effort overshadowed another poor offensive night for the Yankees lineup. 3 men were left in scoring position including Derek Jeter who led off the 8th with a double, but go no further.

David Wright's night epitomized the Mets frustration. He struck out all 3 times up.

Ron Villone has won the last 2 Yankee games. He picked up the victory on Wednesday after pitching to just 1 Florida Marlin. A-Rod's walk-off home run gave him the win.

Derek Jeter went to 2-4 to raise his average to .333 and increase his interleague best hit total to 222.

Bernie Williams 4th inning stolen base his 1st of the season.