Yankees move step closer to Red Sox

NEW YORK -- Back on the field in time for the stretch drive, Mike Mussina and Doug Mientkiewicz are helping the New York Yankees try to chase down Boston.

Mussina limited Baltimore to three singles over seven innings, Mientkiewicz hit a three-run homer and the Yankees beat the Orioles, 12-0, Tuesday night to close in on the first-place Red Sox.

New York, which has won 11 of 13, closed to within 2 1/2 games of Boston in the AL East, the Yankees’ smallest division deficit since before play on April 21. They also opened a 4 1/2 -game lead over Detroit in the wild-card race.

Mussina (10-10), dropped from the rotation after three bad starts in late August, struck out six and walked one to win at least 10 games in an AL-record 16 straight seasons.

Mientkiewicz was activated from the disabled list Sept. 1 after missing much of the season because of a broken right wrist.