Yanks Get Spanked Part 2.
By JoeDavis
In game 2 of the three game series, the Twins started the offense early in the bottom of the 1st batter of the game(Shannon Stewart) hit a home run. It was the start of a 7-2 win.
Mike Mussina, who just came off the DL since July 7th, gave up that home run. In the bottom of the 4th, he gave up two doubles to Christian Guzman and Shannon Stewart, allowing three runs to score.
Mussina who got the loss, is now 9-7. He went 4 innings (throwing 68 pitches), gave up five hits, four runs (all earned), walked two and struck out two. His ERA is now 5.34.
It wasn't what the front office wanted to see from Mussina after coming off the DL.
The Yankees are hoping Kevin Brown and Mike Mussina will be healthy then. Both have taken trips to the DL this season.
After Mussina left, Tanyon Sturtze came into the game. He pitched 4 innings, gave up five hits, three runs (all earned), two walks, two strikeouts and gave up one home run.
In the top of the 8th, the Yankees got their only runs. Ruben Sierra scored on a wild pitch by Johan Santana. Miguel Cairo, 1-4 , drove in John Olerud on a ground out.
Johan Santana who leads the AL in strikeouts (196), struck out 6 Yankees to go over Jason Schmidt for the second most strikeouts in the Major Leagues.
Santana pitched 7 innings, gave up five hits, allowed two runs (both earned), walked one, and struck out six.
Grant Balfour (who's autograph I got in Kansas City) came into the game to finish the 8th inning.
Joe Nathan finished the game.
The final game of the series is on Thursday, August 19th. Orlando Hernandez is scheduled to pitch against Carlos Silva.
With the loss, the Yankees drop another game to the Red Sox. The lead is now 8 games.
With the win, the Twins could move up a game on the Cleveland Indians who currently are losing 5-2. The Twins lead the division over the Indians by 3.5 games.
