Yankees 12, Orioles 0

A PITCHING "MOOSTER-PIECE" IN THE BRONX!

That's EXACTLY what Mike Mussina did tonight: He put on an absolute pitching clinic. The Moose went 7 innings, allowing NO RUNS on 3 measly hits, walking 1 while striking out 6 Orioles. He threw 98 pitches, 65 of them for strikes. Only ONE runner reached scoring position tonight. With the win tonight, Moose earned his 10th victory of the season, giving him 10 or more wins in 16 straight seasons.

The Moose also showed the youngsters how to field the position as well as throw from it. He snagged a grounder in the 1st and was able to turn it into a slick double-play. In the 7th, he knocked down a liner up the middle and recorded the out at first base.

Jose Veres and Ron Villone completed the shut-out.

At the plate, the Yankees were pretty darn near flawless. Even Jorge Posada, who was hitless, still walked 3 times and scored 3 runs.

Derek Jeter had 2 singles and a double.

Bobby Abreu doubled.

Hideki Matsui doubled and singled, driving in 3 RBIs.

Robinson Cano had 2 singles and a double, driving in 2 Ribbies.

Doug Meintkeiwicz homered and singled, driving in 4 runs. He made a nifty scoop on a throw from Alex Rodriguez in the 6th.

Melky Cabrera had a line drive single and a sacrifice fly, driving in 3 runs.

Wilson Betemit had a single.

Both Boston AND Detroit lost again tonight, meaning that the Yankees are now 5 games ahead of the Tigers, and just 2 games behind the Red Sox. There are 11 games left for the Yankees, and 10 remaining for the Bosox.

Hey Red Sox Nation! Those ARE footsteps you're hearing!

GO YANKEES!