Bronx Bombers go for sweep in Toronto

Sep 13, 2007, 14:49 GMT

- The New York Yankees take aim at their seventh straight win this evening, as they try and complete a three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.

The Yankees maintained their four-game advantage over the Detroit Tigers in the wild card standings on Wednesday, as Mike Mussina threw five-plus scoreless innings to help New York to a 4-1 win. Robinson Cano was 1-for-4 with a two-run single and had 11 assists in the field for the red-hot Yankees, who are in the midst of their longest winning streak since a season-high, nine-game tear from June 5-14.

The Red Sox also won on Wednesday, 5-4 over Tampa Bay, maintaining their five- game lead over the Yankees in the AL East. The Yanks invade Fenway Park this weekend for a three-game series.

Mussina (9-10) returned to the rotation for New York and hurled 5 2/3 innings of shutout ball. The veteran right-hander, who started in place of the injured Roger Clemens, had been rocked in his previous three starts, leading to his removal from the starting staff. But, the veteran allowed just five hits, walked three and fanned one before giving way to Edwar Ramirez, who got the final out of the sixth.

Rookie sensation Joba Chamberlain picked up from there and got the game to Mariano Rivera but did give up the first run of his major league career, albeit an unearned one. Rivera earned his 32nd save in the win.

Russ Adams was 2-for-5 with a run scored for the Blue Jays, who lost their fifth straight game.

Dustin McGowan (10-9) surrendered four runs on just three hits in five innings of work en route to the loss.

Rookie Ian Kennedy takes the hill for the Yanks tonight, as he makes the third start of his young career. After beating the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in his big league debut, the 22-year-old right-hander received a no-decision on Friday against the Kansas City Royals. He gave up two runs and seven hits in five innings of that one, but also walked three batters in his team's 3-2 win.

Toronto, meanwhile, will hand the ball to one of its hottest pitchers in right-hander A.J. Burnett, who is 8-7 on the year, but 3-1 with a 1.90 ERA in six starts since returning from the disabled list on August 12. Burnett pitched well on Saturday against Tampa Bay, allowing a run and three hits in eight frames. However, he did not factor in the decision of that one, as closer Jeremy Accardo surrendered four runs in the ninth in a 5-4 loss.

Burnett beat the Yankees earlier in the season and is 3-2 lifetime against them with a 3.73 ERA in five starts.

The Yankees have won eight of their 13 meetings with the Blue Jays this season and are 42-26 in the series since the start of the 2004 campaign. The Yanks have also won nine of their last 16 matchups north of the border.

© 2007 The Sports Network