Another good night for Mussina
Of yesterday's coverage, MLB.com has the most dramatic lede.
NEW YORK — In the darkest moments of Mike Mussina's rotation exile, he pondered his baseball mortality, admitting that he had only a finite amount of time remaining in clubhouses.
Yet as bad as Mussina's worst three starts were, he was convinced that he still had it in him to be better. For the second straight start, Mussina proved it on Tuesday, shutting the Orioles out for seven innings in a 12-0 Yankees victory that carried important playoff implications.
The New York Times looks to thought (and expects a playoff start).
Mike Mussina has always believed that a good pitcher wins about half of his starts. Last night was the 500th start of Mussina's career, and he won for the 249th time. Not quite half, but Mussina, clearly, is a good pitcher again.
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The victory evened Mussina's record at 10-10, and although the Orioles are wheezing to the finish line, they have several hitters who usually torment Mussina. But he allowed only three singles and a walk, striking out six. When he was done, the crowd was chanting "Moose," not boo."That was nice," Mussina said. "I'm glad they still remembered who I am."
The Associated Press lede is of little consequence ("Back on the field in time for the stretch drive, Mike Mussina and Doug Mientkiewicz are helping the New York Yankees…"), but the story gets to a comparison the others don't.
Mussina (10-10) was dropped from the rotation in late August after allowing 19 earned runs over 9 2-3 innings in three straight losses. He made one relief appearance after that, his first ever in a regular-season game.
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Mussina struck out six, walked one and has thrown 12 2-3 scoreless innings over two outings since his starting spot was restored. He has won at least 10 games in an AL-record 16 straight seasons.
