My Pinstripes

Mike Mussina was 4-0, 2.84 in his 4 starts prior to his scheduled start against the Tigers last Friday. Those numbers were completely irrelevant to me, and probably, most Yankees fans. There was no reason to be excited about the next Mussina start. And sure enough, against two formidable lineups, Mussina got his head handed to him.

Last night it was like the Angels pre-game batting practice never ended as they raked Mussina all over the yard en route to an 18-9 rout. Mussina got blasted for 7 runs and 7 hits in just 1.2 innings. Every ball, hit or out, was hard hit. I think I actually heard the ball scream on one line drive. The Yankees actually managed to get within 7-5, but then the bullpen fared no better than Mussina.

Garret Anderson had a career night, homering twice and driving in 10 runs. His 2-run double in the 1st gave the Angels a quick lead. Alex Rodriguez hit his 1st of 2 home runs in the 2nd to cut the lead in half, but the Angels battered Mussina in the 2nd.

Maicer Izturis lead the inning off with a single and Howie Kendrick followed with a double, one if his 4 hits on the night. Jeff Mathis entered Monday's game with only 8 RBI before driving in 3. He added 2 more to that total with a 2-run double for a 4-1 lead. Mussina actually retired the next 2 hitters before giving up back to back RBI doubles to Vlad Guerrero and Anderson. When Gary Matthews Jr. singled home Anderson, Joe Torre finally gave Mussina the hook.

Kelvim Escobar must have nodded off from sitting on the bench so long, because he walked Jose Molina and Melky Cabrera to start the top of the 3rd. Derek Jeter got one of his patented singles to right to load the bases and Bobby Abreu brought a pair of runs home with a double. Alex Rodriguez and Hideki Matsui came through with RBI ground outs and suddenly the Yankees were back in the game at 7-5. But it was not meant to be.

The Angels quickly loaded the bases against Ron Villone in their half of the 3rd and went ahead 8-5 when Villone issued his 3rd walk of the inning to Figgins. Torre sent for Edwar Ramirez and the kid retired the first two hitters he faced - a sac fly by Orlando Cabrera and a strikeout of Guerrero- but Anderson took him deep for a game breaking 3-run home run.

With the score 14-5 in the 6th, Anderson added insult to injury with a grand slam off of Sean Henn. The Yankees got their final runs in the 9th when Wilson Betemit, who entered for Jeter in the 7th, belted a 3-run HR, and A-Rod hit his 42nd and 2nd of the night.

...

Wilson Betemit continues to make a case for himself for playing time at 1st Base over Andy Phillips. He now has 3 HR and 15 RBI in just 32 at-bats, and a .937 OPS.

Joe Torre planned on giving Alex Rodriguez the day off on Wednesday, but considering the two losses and A-Rod's 3 HRs in 2 nights, he had better reconsider.

Garret Anderson's 10 RBI make up 1/5th of his season total of 50.