Mariano Rivera was not sharp but got the big outs when he needed it most. With a little help from Derek Jeter, he and the Yankees were able to survive a ferocious comeback attempt from the Texas Rangers in Arlington on Friday night to hold on for an 8-7 victory.
Mike Mussina was pitching a masterpice, allowing only two hits and one run through the first seven innings. He surrendered a single to the first batter in the eighth and was replaced by Aaron Small who proceded to give up three hits and two runs while only retiring one batter. Kyle Farnsworth replaced Small and was able to strike out Mark Teixeira with the bases loaded for the second out but then walked Phil Nevin to make the score 8-4. Torre called on Mo and Hank Blalock greeted him with a two run single through the right side. Kevin Muench then singled to left to pull the Rangers to within one. Mo then hit Brad Wilkerson on a 0-2 pitch but got Rod Barajas on a bouncer up the middle to end the inning.
In the bottom of the ninth Mo got DeRosa to ground to A-Rod for the first out. He went 0-2 on Gary Matthews, Jr. but then made a mistake by getting a pitch out over the plate which Matthews served to left for a single. With Michael Young next, Jeter made a play that probably saved Rivera and the Yankees. Young grounded a pitch sharply through the left side which Jeter back handed and jump threw to second to force Matthews for the second out. Teixiera lined hard to right to end the game.
Rivera is 0-2 on the season with six saves in seven opportunities. His ERA for the season is now at 3.00.
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