Game 44-
The Baltimore Orioles jumped all over ex ace Mike Mussina for a huge opening inning and never looked back, as they destroyed the slumping NY Yankees Tuesday night 12-2 at Yankee Stadium. While their former stud starter struggled, RH Daniel Cabera continued his strong comeback season. In winning his 5th game(5-1 on the year,3.48 era), the young veteran right hander pitched 7 innings, he allowed 5 hits and 2 runs with 1 strike out.
For the highest payroll in baseball, you would think they Yankees could field a team that could catch the ball and field positions. They can’t and Mussina paid for it. Aided by 2 errors, the Orioles scored 7 times in the 1st. DH Aubrey Huff and SS Freddy Bynum had rbi singles, a bases loaded walk and 2b Brian Roberts tripled for 4 runs. However, the big hit that plated 3 runs was a bases clearing double by rookie CF Adam Jones. Mussina was done after 2/3 innings plus having allowed 5 hits and 7 runs.(1 earned) He walked 2 and struck out 1.
The Orioles scored 2 more runs in the 2nd after an error scored one, Jones singled in another run. 1b Kevin Millar homered for another score in the 4th and Baltimore’s 10th run. In the 6th, Cabrera made his only mistake, as AL MVP Alex Rodriquez returned and hit a bomb for the Yankees 2 runs.
Cabrera did not walk anyone but was effectively wild, hitting Yankees SS and captain Derek Jeter in the forearm with a pitch. Xrays came back negative but he left the game. Yankees LH RP Latroy Hawkins retaliated, throwing 2 pitches at LF Luke Scott(2nd at his head) and causing the benches to clear without further incident. Outside of the Jeter situation, Cabrera was outstanding. His control is such a positive, the man who posted over 100 walks the last 2 years has 1 in the last 23 innings.
Star of the Game-
Jones-4 hits and 4 rbi
Orioles Notes-
Team has won 8 of 10, after losing 5 game losing streak…..Veteran RHP Steve Trachsel will start a weekend game vs Tampa… Scott got his revenge with an upper deck homer in the 8th
Next Game-
Orioles LH Garrett Olson(3-0,3.47) vs Yankees RH Darrell Rasner(2-0,3.00)
