DETROIT, 21 June 2005 — Mike Mussina pitched 6-1/3 strong innings and Alex Rodriguez had a two-run single as the New York Yankees doubled the Chicago Cubs 6-3 in Interleague play on Sunday at Yankee Stadium.
The Yankees won their sixth straight game in completing a three-game series sweep of the Cubs, while Mussina won his third straight start with a solid effort on the mound.
Mussina allowed two runs on five hits with five strikeouts and two walks. Three relievers finished up, including Mariano Rivera who pitched the ninth for his 16th save.
Tony Womack and Robinson Cano had two hits and drove in a run for the Yankees, who had nine hits. Rodriguez’s bases-loaded single keyed a four-run fourth inning that put New York ahead to stay at 5-2.
Sergio Mitre (5-2) took the loss for the Cubs, as Chicago lost its four straight and sixth of seven, while falling to 0-7 all-time at Yankee Stadium. Mitre (2-2) went 5-2/3 innings, allowing six runs — five earned — on eight hits with two strikeouts and four walks.
Jeromy Burnitz homered and had three hits for Chicago, while Todd Walker drove in a pair of runs.
In other Interleague games, Jake Westbrook pitched eight strong innings as the Indians beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2 in Cleveland. Westbrook (4-9) allowed two runs on eight hits and struck out five and Bob Wickman pitched one inning for his 20th save. Josh Towers (5-6) pitched 5-1/3 innings, allowing four runs on nine hits, walking one and striking out two to take the loss. Frank Catalanotto homered for the Blue Jays.
In Baltimore, Rafael Palmeiro homered as the Orioles beat the Colorado Rockies 4-2.
Hayden Penn (2-0) pitched 6-2/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits, walking two and striking out four for the win. B J Ryan pitched one inning for his 18th save.
In Minneapolis, Dave Roberts homered as the San Diego Padres beat the Minnesota Twins 5-1. Darrell May (1-1) pitched six innings, allowing one run on three hits and struck out four for the win.
In Detroit, Placido Polanco homered in the bottom of the 10th to give the Tigers a 10-8 win over the San Francisco Giants. Jamie Walker (3-3) pitched one inning and struck out one for the win. Rondell White and Chris Shelton also homered for the Tigers.
In Boston, Matt Clement pitched seven solid innings, as the Red Sox beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-0. Clement (8-1) allowed three hits, walking one and striking out nine.
Jay Payton homered for the Red Sox.
In Arlington, Brad Wilkerson had three hits and drove in four runs as the Washington Nationals beat the Texas Rangers 8-2. Travis Hughes (1-0) pitched 1-1?3 innings, allowing one hit and striking out three for the win.
In Kansas City, Runelvys Hernandez pitched seven solid innings, as the Royals beat the Houston Astros 7-1.
In St. Petersburg, Albert Pujols had three hits and drove in two runs as the St Louis Cardinals beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 8-5. Jeff Suppan (6-6) pitched 6-2/3 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits, walking three and striking out two for the win. Jason Isringhausen pitched one inning for his 21st save.
In Oakland, Eric Chavez homered as the Athletics beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-2. Joe Blanton (3-6) pitched 7-2/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits, walking four and striking out seven. Justin Duchscherer pitched one inning for his second save.
