Scrappy win for Yankees

August 22, 10:56 PMNew York Yankees ExaminerPete Sabatini

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A seesaw battle where the scoring started in the first, ended in the Yankees’ favor for a 9-4 win in Baltimore.  Though the Yankees recorded the win, former Oriole Mike Mussina did not and remains at 16 on the season. 

With 34 games left to play, Mussina stands to have six more opportunities to work his way toward the 20-win mark for the first time in his 18 season career.

Derek Jeter did achieve a career milestone recording his 2,500th career hit, which I’m sure he will downplay while trying to emphasize the need to continue winning – in true Jeterian fashion.

Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and Camden Yards were awash in Yankee blue for the final weekend series before Labor Day.  A sellout crowd was on hand to watch what must be the start of a Yankees winning streak in order for the Bombers to have a chance at their 14th consecutive postseason appearance. 

The turning point of the night came in the eighth when Orioles manager Dave Trembley called upon recent call-up Kam Mickolio, the fifth of seven Orioles pitchers on the evening, to work out of a pivotal situation. 

In Mickolio’s second career major league appearance Trembley asked him to face Nady with runners on second and third with no outs and his team up only one run. With one wild pitch and one single, the rookie predictably gave up two runs and the lead while pitching to one batter.  His night was over.  Not a confidence-building situation for the 24-year old. 

Floodgates opened in the ninth as the Yankees put four additional runs on the board, including three from a homer off the bat of Cody Ransom who now has two bombs in as many at-bats this season.  Xavier Nady then added a solo shot of his own pushing the game out of reach for good. 

And now Pavano-watch begins…

Score: 9-4 Yankees, (Box Score)

Next Game: @Orioles Sat 7:05PM on YES, Pavano (0-0) v. Guthrie (10-9)

Current Record: 68-60, 10GB Division, 5.5GB Wildcard