Mussina Pitches In on Offense

Mike Mussina outpitched Kevin Appier. Outhit him, too.

Mussina threw 7 2/3 sharp innings and produced an RBI single as the New York Yankees again beat the Mets, 2-1, Saturday.

Mussina struck a blow for American League pitchers with a second-inning hit. He had been a career 4 for 23 (.174) with four runs batted in.

“I just happened to get my bat on it and hit it in the right place,” he said. “Those of us who didn’t hit very often, that’s all we try to do.”

A relatively quiet crowd of 54,195 at Shea Stadium saw the Yankees defeat the Mets for the 10th time in 12 meetings, including last year’s World Series.

The last 11 games have been decided by one or two runs.

The Yankees will try for the first Subway Series sweep in five years of interleague play tonight.

Bernie Williams’ homer and Mussina’s single in the second accounted for the only runs off Appier (4-6).

“As far as Mike’s hitting, I don’t know where that came from,” Yankee Manager Joe Torre said. “But he’s been telling us that he’s done some hitting and has some RBIs. In fact, I think the other pitchers are sick of hearing about it.”

Robin Ventura homered in the fourth against Mussina (6-7).

The Mets threatened in the seventh, putting runners on the corners with two out, but catcher Jorge Posada made a superb play to catch pinch-hitter Lenny Harris’ foul pop fly.

The Mets also wasted pinch-hitter Darryl Hamilton’s leadoff double in the eighth, with reliever Mike Stanton retiring Ventura on a fly ball to end the inning. Mariano Rivera pitched the ninth for his 21st save.

Mussina, who had lost three consecutive starts, gave up six hits. He walked none--he threw only eight balls in the first four innings--and struck out three.

Appier gave up five hits and one earned run in seven innings.