The daily turn of the New York tides raised the panic level back to code red as the Boston Red Sox sent the Yankees back to double digits in the standings with their sixth win in eight meetings this season. Mike Mussina surrendered all seven runs getting touched for 10 hits through 6.2 innings of work all the while looking beyond his years with fastballs hitting speeds that felt not much higher than his age. However, after a first inning mistake to Manny Ramirez, Mussina settled in to pitch quite well getting consecutive inning ending double plays to make it into the seven inning (the fourth time a Yankees starter has managed that feat in the last five games, and yes, that is something to mention this season) before giving up three runs upon his departure. After an aggressive Game 1, the Yankees lineup went cold, blowing multiple bases loaded opportunities and leaving 20 total on base throughout the game. Derek Jeter may have extended his hitting streak to 17 games but without the wins to show for, the Yankees captain is hardly thinking of his personal successes this season. What he has to be wondering is how the hell can the Red Sox throw their number five, Julian Tavarez and his gaudy 5.59 ERA, against an All-Star lineup and limit them to 3 hits through 5.2 innings. Or how Manny Ramirez and his .240 batting average can tear down the left field wall with another one of his over-dramatic homerun celebrations around the most humbled diamond in baseball. Or how Big Slopi Ortiz makes a mockery of the shift and pads his ridiculous career numbers against the Yankees. Yes, as long a season as it has been in the early goings you can bet a hit streak will be the furthest thing from New York minds as the Yankees look for Andy Pettitte to save face in the series finale against media heartthrob Curt Schilling. Let’s go Yankees! We need a win.

(5 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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