The Yankees were FINALLY able to solve the Angels, if only for a day, as Mike Mussina sizzled en route to an 8-2 Yankee victory. The Yanks absolutely needed this one, as they'd been slipping, losing 5 of 6 after an 8-game winning streak. The Yankees remain 2.5 games behind Boston for the wild card and 5.5 behind Tampa Bay for the division lead, as both teams won last night.

It seems like every time I recap a game that Mike Mussina pitches, I say it was his best start of the season, but this one really does take the cake. Mussina allowed just two hits in seven innings, striking out five and walking two. Both hits he allowed were in the second inning, and he allowed two runs, one unearned.

The Yankees tied the game at 2 apiece in the second with a two-run shot by Wilson Betemit. In the 3rd they went ahead as Jose Molina scored on a double play groundout by Derek Jeter. Bobby Abreu homered later in the 3rd to make it 4-2. Jose Molina also homered (gasp!) as did Alex Rodriguez to cap off a four-homer attack by the Yanks on Jered Weaver.

Jose Veras pitched an uneventful 8th and Brian Bruney made his first appearance after coming off the DL in the 9th. Bruney's control was a little off, but overall he looked pretty good, as he allowed a walk and a bloop hit before retiring Juan Rivera to end the game.

Well, I don't think the Yankees are going to lose too many games when Jose Molina and Wilson Betemit have five hits between them. The Yanks will finish this four-game set this afternoon before heading to Texas for a four-game series with the Rangers. Darrell Rasner will take the mound and will face John Lackey (I think I hear the faint sound of "UH OH!"). Game starts at 1:05 ET and will also be carried on TBS for you non-locals.