Mussina Shuts Down Blue Jays

Mike Mussina gave up three hits in eight sharp innings to beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 5-0, Tuesday night at New York for the best start in Yankee history.

Jorge Posada homered and Bernie Williams had three hits and two RBIs for the Yankees, who have won 11 of 13 to begin the season for the first time. Toronto has lost six in a row.

Mussina (3-0) struck out nine to beat the Blue Jays for the seventh consecutive time since joining the Yankees.

New York also turned three double plays in its second shutout of the season.

Jason Anderson pitched the ninth to finish it for New York.

Boston 6, Tampa Bay 5 -- Shea Hillenbrand rescued the Red Sox after another late bullpen collapse, breaking a ninth-inning tie with his fourth hit of the game at Boston.

After Ramiro Mendoza couldn’t hold a 5-1 eighth-inning lead for the Red Sox, Boston loaded the bases with one out in the ninth and Hillenbrand bounced a single up the middle to win it.

Red Sox third base coach Mike Cubbage returned three days after collapsing on the field with a diabetic seizure. Pitching coach Tony Cloninger, who has bladder cancer, also was back at the ballpark, watching the game from the clubhouse.

Seattle 5, Oakland 3 -- John Olerud’s run-scoring double in the eighth inning gave the Mariners the lead at Seattle in their fourth consecutive victory. The Mariners took over first place in the American League West by a game.

After a 7-1 start, the A’s lost their sixth game in a row. Eric Chavez and Mark Ellis homered for Oakland.

Cleveland 8, Baltimore 3 -- Matt Lawton hit a three-run home run to help rookie Jason Davis get his first win this season at Cleveland. Oriole starter Omar Daal later was ejected for hitting Lawton in the back with a pitch.

Minnesota 6, Detroit 4 -- Torii Hunter went two for four with a homer to help the Twins win at Minneapolis for their 12th consecutive win against Detroit.