Tigers Bag Moose

Mike Mussina may have made Joe Torre's decision making process about the rotation a little easier last night. The Tigers clobbered Mussina for 6 runs in 3 innings en route to a 16-0 blowout. Mussina told pitching Ron Guidry, "I don't what know to do.", as his own frustration mounted even more than our own watching it. It was the first time in his 17 year career that Mussina (8-10) gave up 6 or more runs in 3 straight starts.

After Edwar Ramirez gave up 1 run in an inning, Sean Henn took one for the team, throwing 79 pitches in 2-plus innings. He was charged with 9 runs, 7 of them earned. The Yankees are expected to call up a reliever today - perhaps Chris Britton will finally get a chance - with Henn most likely sent down since he wouldn't be able to pitch for several days.

All Tigers starter Justin Verlander would have had to do was throw his glove out on the mound to earn his 14th win in 19 decisions. The hard throwing right-hander had a 6-0 lead after 3 innings and the Yankees bats reflected their overall sense that there was no way they were winning this one. Verlander, who went 7 innings, and Zach Miner limited the Yankees to just 3 hits.

Mussina's night could have been even worse or shorter had it not been for an outstanding play by Melky Cabrera. The center fielder raced back to the wall to snare a bases loaded drive by Carlos Guillen in the 1st inning. Instead of 3 runs, the Tigers settled for just 1. Robinson Cano also threw out Curtis Granderson trying to score from 3rd on an infield grounder. But after the Tigers scored 2 in the 2nd and 3 more in the 3rd (do you a see pattern here?), Torre had no choice but to finally remove his veteran starter.

Now the decision making process begins in earnest to determine whether it's Mussina, Kei Igawa, Steven White, Jeff Karstens, Matt DeSalvo, Ian Kennedy or someone else to take Mussina's next turn in the rotation.

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One week after taking 3 of 4 from the Tigers at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees gave it back, losing 3 of 4 at Comerica Park. The Yankees now trail the Red Sox by 8 games in the AL East. They remain 2 back (3 in the loss column) of Seattle in the Wild Card, after the Mariners were shutout by the Angels last night.

Derek Jeter returned to the lineup after missing 1 game with a sore knee. His 0-3 night left him 1 for his last 18.

Mike Mussina's ERA has jumped from 4.50 to 5.53 over his last 3 starts, 2 against Detroit and 1 vs. LA.

There's speculation that since Matt DeSalvo pitched last night for Scranton he would be the natural answer to take Mussina's next start. But considering the fact that DeSalvo allowed 16 runs in his last 14 innings, over 5 starts, for the Yankees, that would NOT be a wise choice.